Local and state dignitaries were on hand to congratulate members of Whitehall Lions Club during its 70th anniversary celebration, held July 19 at EZ Micro Solutions, 1341 Mickley Road, Whitehall.

The club was chartered May 5, 1951, as the Fullerton Lions Club. Veteran club member Bob Hauck shared some of the club’s many accomplishments over its 70 years.

In 1954, the club established an ambulance corps in Whitehall. Ownership was transferred to Whitehall Emergency Squad in 1965.

Over the years, the Lions’ fundraising activities enabled the club to purchase a police dog and vehicle for Whitehall Police Department, large-print books and a closed-caption television for use by visually impaired patrons of Whitehall Township Public Library, as well as Whitehall High School student athletic awards and a new scoreboard for Whitehall-Coplay School District’s stadium.

WCSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Steckel expressed his gratitude to the Lions for the many ways the club has supported students.

Lehigh County Executive and Whitehall Lions Club member Phillips Armstrong reminisced about the years he spent as a teaching colleague with Hauck at Whitehall High School. Following his remarks, Armstrong presented Lions Club President Denise Shaffer with a proclamation from Lehigh County, extolling the club’s service to its community.

Judy Ott, who became the first female member of Whitehall Lions Club in 2003, related some of her experiences. She fondly recalled becoming the first female Whitehall Leo Club leader. Leo Club members are middle and high school students who engage in community service projects.

Under Judy’s supervision and guidance, the Whitehall Leos assisted with blood drives and worked with disadvantaged elementary school students.

Whitehall Township Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. presented the club with an official commendation and endorsed the Lions Club’s encouragement of good citizenship in youth through its support of the Leo Club.

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd, and state Rep. Zach Mako, R-183rd, awarded the club with a citation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The evening culminated with Lions Club Secretary Tom Lindeman reading citations from state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf.

Whitehall Lions Club invites community members to join its efforts in giving back. The club meets 6:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month at various locations or via Zoom.

For more information, visit Whitehall Lions Club-Lehigh Valley PA on Facebook or email whitehall.lionsclub.lv@gmail.com.