The Lower Lehigh Lions Club, based in Macungie, is disbanding.

As stated in the club’s farewell newsletter, “Due to an aging club, deaths and many health issues by members, we have been short-handed for our major projects. ... It was with much sadness [that] the leadership of our club realized that we could no longer effectively perform our prime objective of serving the community.”

And serve they have, contributing over half a million dollars to local charities and community projects during their 61 active years. A few of the major projects sponsored by the Lower Lehigh Lions are the biannual flea market, the Macungie Halloween Parade and the Helping Hands project.

Each spring and fall, the Lions pitched in and organized a massive flea market in Macungie Memorial Park. For the most recent event spaces were provided for 300 vendors. Always a popular activity, the flea market has never required fewer than 200 spaces. The most recent Lion to spearhead this project is Betsy Kresge who took over from Ron Bechtel. The flea market provided a portion of the funds used to support local programs and charities.

The Macungie Halloween Parade is an annual celebration into which the Lions poured hours of effort. Kudos to parade organizer Dave Briggs and all the Lions who provided the community with a smoothly run night of entertainment and fun.

Bechtel initiated the Helping Hands project. Working with the East Penn School District, the Lions made Thanksgiving and Christmas more joyful for 25 families each holiday. The Lions provided each designated family with a gift card for $125 from Weis Markets. Some of the money for this service was raised by Lions who volunteered to work at IronPigs concession stands. In return, the IronPigs donated all the money earned to the club, between $5,000 and $7,000 each year.

To close out this project, the club intends to distribute approximately $8,000 and once more give local families happier holidays.

The Lower Lehigh Lions worked tirelessly to raise money because the members were, as stated by Lion Bud Godshalk, “ ... very intent on giving back to the community.” As well as the services previously described, the Lower Lehigh Lions have given financial support to numerous organizations as varied and necessary as Sights for Hope, the Macungie Fire Department, Macungie Memorial Park, Lehigh Carbon Community College Soup Kitchen and Leader Dog.

The members recently gathered for the club’s final family picnic in Macungie Memorial Park. A number of the members stated their intention to take some time off; a few will immediately join other Lions Clubs in the area and all will remain active in some area of community involvement.

Although a few groups have expressed interest in picking up specific Lower Lehigh Lions Club projects, such as the Macungie Halloween Parade, the Lions contributions to the community will be sorely missed. As with many volunteer groups, the Lower Lehigh Lions have never lacked enthusiasm or commitment. What is lacking is a crop of younger folks willing to freely volunteer their time and talents to maintain existing programs and develop new ones.