1958–1959 Highlights: Granger Lions Making a Difference
Accomplished or Ongoing Projects:
Park Development:
Seven years prior (around 1951), the Lions purchased nine acres at 3600 W and 3500 S for a community park.
They funded and completed sod installation, a sprinkling system, a barbecue shelter, and other park improvements.
Ongoing improvements aimed to make it “the finest park found anywhere.”
Fundraising through Birthday Calendars:
Annual sale of birthday calendars ($2.50 each) featuring family members’ names and birthdays.
Proceeds funded park development and other community projects.
Community Events and Support:
Turkey dinners cooked and served by the Lady Lions, with proceeds supporting community service projects.
Installation of new members and promotion of civic awareness (e.g., talks on voting, international Lions events).
Civic Engagement:
Education on voting and civic responsibilities.
Participation in Lions’ international programs and conventions, sharing knowledge with the local community.
Planned Outreach (1958):
Continued park improvements to enhance community recreation.
Expansion of community events and fundraising efforts to support other local initiatives.
Encouraging local residents to participate in fundraising and volunteer efforts to strengthen the park and other projects.
Essentially, their outreach focused on community spaces, civic education, fundraising for local projects, and social events that built civic pride
A brief history of the Granger Lions – October 1958
In October 1958, the Granger Lions Club launched its annual birthday calendar sale, a fundraiser aimed at supporting community projects and improvements. The $2.50 calendars, which included the birthdays of all family members, were sold door-to-door throughout Granger. Proceeds were dedicated to the club’s ongoing mission of enhancing local public spaces, most notably the park at 3600 West and 3500 South. Purchased seven years earlier, the nine-acre park had already seen significant improvements, including sodding, a sprinkling system, barbecue shelter, and other amenities.
Under the leadership of President Dahle Petersen, the club committed to continuing these enhancements to make the park “the finest found anywhere,” fostering community pride and engagement.
The Granger Lady Lions also played a vital role in community outreach. In October 1958, they hosted a turkey dinner at the Taylorsville Recreation Hall, where members, including Mesdames Emma Mackay, Loa Johnson, and Loraine Acord, prepared the meal. The dinner, attended by approximately 55 people, served both as a social gathering and a fundraising event. The evening featured a talk on the importance of voting, a film on the 1958 International Lions Convention in Chicago, and a display of photos from the club’s charter party. New members were installed, highlighting the organization’s dedication to growth and service.
Through these efforts, the Granger Lions and Lady Lions demonstrated a steadfast commitment to community improvement, civic engagement, and the fostering of local pride, leaving a lasting legacy in the Granger area.
