A Brief History of Service
Edgewood Lions Club
Chartered 26 October 1947
The Edgewood Lions Club was chartered by Lions Clubs International on 26 October 1947. The club at the time it was chartered had 31 Charter Members. These were dedicated men from the Edgewood Community that possessed a strong commitment to Lionism, and service to their community. Professions ranged from Non-Professional, to Professional, with the spirited intentions of providing services vital to the citizen of Edgewood, Maryland.
In June 1952 the Edgewood Lions Club purchased 2 acres of land that had once been a sand and gravel pit on Trimble Road. After several years a total of 5.6 acres were purchased. The total price for the land was $250.00. The purpose of the original purchase of 2 acres was to erect a medical building, to serve the people of Edgewood with much need medical services, that prior to this venture, involved their traveling long distances to either Baltimore or Havre de Grace, Maryland for needed care. The first of two building was erected, and dedicated in 1955. The building a two story brick framed building housed a Medical Doctor, Dentist, and the Harford County Department of Health.
The Edgewood Lions Club in May 1952 incorporated under the name The Century Lions Club of Edgewood, Inc. Century depicted that this club was the 100th Lions Club to be chartered in District 22.
In 1972, the club ventured into the design and construction of a second building on the property. It was a 2 story, Masonry Constructed 4 suite office building. The first tenant was Dr. Jack Reynolds, a Dentist, who was an original tenant in the first building constructed.
As with the first building, much of the labor was provided by members of the Lions Club, along with specialized contractors such as electricians, masons, plumbers, and engineers. Much of the materials used for the construction were either purchased by the club or donated by community business men who saw a need to support this venture. In addition to Dr. Reynolds, the Harford County Health Department rented additional space in the building to expand services to the Edgewood community.
During these years of construction many bull and oyster roasts were held to raise needed funds, not only for the building construction, but for sight and hearing projects within the community.
In 1986 the club began looking into other uses of the remaining land, and in ways it would benefit the community. One such venture involved the possible construction of a Senior Center. Research began on the feasibility, and feelers were put out to the Harford County Department of Aging, the Maryland Department of Mental Hygiene, and Harford County Government. Much travel by members was incurred visiting other facilities not only in Maryland but adjoining states. During this time, it was realized that a wider ingress and egress would be required. The club purchased 2016 Trimble Road that would provide the necessary space for safe entry and exit from the property. At the time a small 900 sq ft cottage was occupied, and the former owner became a tenant.
A great deal of time, and personal effort was invested in this venture, but unfortunately, due to the overall cost, and several other complications, the project was abandoned. The effort on the part of the Club did however, encourage the Harford County Department of Aging to look deeper into the prospects of a Senior Center in another part of Edgewood. The Senior Center with the aid of the club and other organizations in Edgewood, is thriving, and providing vital services to the aging community.
Throughout the years the Edgewood Lions Club has been an active participant in its community with providing Christmas Baskets, Hearing Aid, Glasses for school children as well as adults, a strong supporter of the Lions Low Vision Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Lions Listening Center also at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and other vital projects within Multiple District 22, and Lions Clubs International Foundation with disaster relief, and projects such as River Blindness in 3rd world countries. Financial support for Scholarships, books, brail writers, and other vital projects within it community.
The Edgewood Lions Club has been privileged to provide leadership to the Multiple District 22 and District 22A with the appointments of numerous Regional and Zone Chairs, Cabinet Officers including the election of 4 District 22A Governors.
The Edgewood Lions Club is an active participant within its community on a day to day basis, and will continue to look for innovative ways of providing services, and assistance to the community for which it has served honorably since 1947. The Lions Slogan is “We Serve”. The Edgewood Lions Club has served with distinction and pride in providing necessary and needed services.
"We Serve" Edgewood, Maryland
Organizations Served by the Edgewood Lions Club
Academy of Finance – Edgewood High School
Harford County Boys and Girls Club - Edgewood
Combined Organizations – Christmas Baskets – Edgewood
Lions Campaign Sight First
Community Outreach
FCCAU – Homeless in Harford County
Edgewood Elementary School – Sight and Hearing Screening
Deerfield Elementary School – Sight and Hearing Screening
Edgewood Middle School – Sight and Hearing Screening
Food Pantry – Edgewood
GEEF – Edgewood High School
Lions Association for Sight and Hearing of MD, Inc.
Lions Vision Research Foundation – Wilmer Eye Clinic
Edgewood Senior Center
Scholarships for Graduating Seniors in 21040
SARC
Christmas tree Lighting and Santa Claus - Edgewood
Extreme Family Outreach
Lions Clubs International Foundation
Leader Dog for the Blind