HISTORY OF THE LIONS
The International Association
of Lions Clubs (Lions International) was founded by Melvin Jones and a group of Chicago businessmen on June 17, 1917.
The Lions organization was a consolidation of several independent clubs which dedicated themselves to the service of humanity.
Since 1917, Lions have served the world's population through hard work and commitment to make a difference
in the lives of people everywhere. With 1.35 million members serving in more than 45,000 clubs in over 200 countries
and geograhical areas, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization.
The word,
LIONS, stands for "Liberty, Intelligence: Our Nations's Safety." Our motto is "WE SERVE."
The first International Lions Convention was held on October 10, 1917 in Dallas, Texas with 23 clubs participating.
Lions became truly international in 1920 with the organization of a Lions club in Canada. Major international expansion continued
as clubs were established, particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the 1950s and '60s.
In 1925,
Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights
of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to
the blind and visually impaired.
Service to people who are blind or who are visually-impaired has always
been one of our most significant programs. Today, the Lions Sightfirst program is dedicated to eradicating preventable and
reversible blindness worldwide. . . Lions operate the vast majority of eye banks throughout the world and have donated hundreds
of millions of dollars toward research, training and rehabilitation for people who are blind. . .
In addition
to sight programs, Lions Clubs International is committed to providing services for youth. Lions clubs also work to improve
the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hearing programs and, through their foundation,
provide disaster relief around the world.
We believe that time invested with a Lions Club yields an invaluable
return: an added dimension to your personal and professional life. While providing the framework for you to serve your community,
a Lions club also offers opportunities for individual growth.
Among the objects adopted in those early years was
one that read, "No club shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object." This call for unselfish
service to others remains one of the association's main tenets.
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HISTORY OF THE BELLVILLE LIONS CLUB, GEORGIA DISTRICT
18B
The International Association of Lions Club of Bellville, Georgia was chartered by the International
Association of Lions Clubs on 26 May 1984. The charter lists 21 Lions. The charter was witnessed by
the signatures of Lion Eugene Linday, International Staff Representative and Lion Thomas Williams, District Governor, 18B.
The Bellville Lions Club was sponsored by the Cobbtown Lions. The charter president was Lion William Pryor who
continues to be an active member of the club.
The club is organized in accordance with guidelines from Lions International.
It meets on the third Monday of each month at the Bellville United Methodist Church Social Hall in Bellville, Georgia at 7:30
pm. Women were admitted to the club on 21 July 1987. The club has 24 Melvin Jones Fellowship recipients.
The Bellville Lions Club has always helped those in need in Bellville and Evans County with eye exams and glasses with children and elderly getting top priority. The club
also supports the Georgia Lighthouse, The Georgia Camp for the Blind, White Cane, Leader Dog, Georgia Unit for the Blind and
Dyslexic, LCIF, and The Georgia Lions All State Band.
To raise money for projects, the club has tried many
activities including Sausage Suppers, BBQ Chicken Dinners, October Ogeechee Fair and various other fund raising activities.
These activities allow the club to raise enough money to meet its charitable obligations.
The club also
actively supports the Special Olympics, C.A.R.E.S and the Head Start Program.
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ABOUT BELLVILLE, GEORGIA
Like
many small communities that once flourished as major business centers, Bellville may have lost its retail dominance of the
early 1900s but it has retained and expanded its visual appeal as a residential community. Situated next to Hwy. 169
and the Collins Highway, a short distance from U.S. Hwy. 280 West, the town's many historic and new homes are immaculately
maintained along shaded drives and beautiful landscaping. Bellville is one of the few towns in Georgia that can proudly
boast of no city property taxes. Through sound management by the town's mayor and council, and with an abundance of community
spirit among its citizens, Bellville is a great place to live and raise a family. Pinewood Christian Academy, one of
the state's leading private schools, is located in the community and adds educational opportunities for students from
Evans and surrounding counties.
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| The Belleville Depot in 2000 |
The old depot that served travelers and commerce along
the railroad through the town in the late 1890s (shown above) has undergone a facelift through the efforts of city officials
and local residents. Bellville celebrated Railroad Days in September 2000 to mark the opening of the newly restored train
depot. The Georgia Historical Society honored the town with a historical marker for the depot.
Timber, naval stores
and agriculture are the main economic factors that led to the town's development in 1890. As with other communities
in what is Evans County, the expansion of the railroad into the area presented opportunities for commercial and retail growth.
Most knowledgeable historians agree that the town was named for Fannie Bell, the mother of James Bell Smith - one the town's
early settlers.
On the night of May 6, 1901, almost every store in town
as well as the turpentine still burned, leaving Bellville almost without a place of business. Several merchants and property
owners rebuilt after the fire of 1901, but some moved on to restart in other towns and states.
Bellville was not incorporated as a town with a city government until March 1959. In addition
to its attractive homes and well-kept lawns and streets, the town currently has a general store at the intersection of Highways
169 and 292. The rustic store offers groceries, dry goods and a number of collectibles. A popular restaurant is also located
at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Hwy. 169, and is popular destination for locals and visitors.
--Article used
with permission from the Claxton Enterprise.
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| The Anderson House Restaurant |
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