DUNNVILLE—The Dunnville Lions Club is marking a century of service this month, a milestone that members say reflects generations of commitment to community, fellowship, and the Lions’ enduring motto: “We Serve.”
Founded in 1925, the Dunnville Lions was among the first clubs to be established in Canada. Steven Allen, a 30-year member, said its origins are closely tied to local history.
“It started with about 22 members, many of them community leaders at the time,” he explained. “One of the most interesting connections is Harry Newman, who grew up in Dunnville, went on to become a lawyer and later served as the international president of Lions Clubs in 1924. His influence helped inspire the formation of the Dunnville club.”
The Lions quickly became an important fixture in town, with early members including mayors, business owners, clergy, and hospital leaders. Their first projects reflected pressing community needs of the day.
“Some of the original members were involved with establishing the first hospital board in Dunnville,” said Steven. “The club also played a major role in pushing for an arena to be built, encouraging donations and support. That was a huge part of community life.”
Over the decades, the Dunnville Lions invested in many local landmarks. Lions Park remains one of their signature contributions, built and expanded through generations of effort.
“The hill that every kid in Dunnville knows was created through the Lions,” said Steven’s wife, Joan Allen, who officially became a Lion six years ago. “They organized the dumping of soil from local construction and turned it into a place for families. Later they added swings, ball diamonds, lighting, and even a swimming pool.”
The club’s legacy also includes funding equipment for the hospital, supporting libraries, and contributing to cultural life with events.
“In the 1940s, the Lions hosted big carnivals that brought thousands out,” recalled Joan. “They raised money, but more importantly, they created experiences the community counted on. In 1945, the carnival profit was $3,200, which was a huge amount at the time.”
In recent years, the Lions have focused on new needs while staying true to their tradition of service. They led the way on Dunnville’s skateboard park, completed in the mid-2010s, and continue to host the popular Home and Garden Show, which doubles as a fundraiser and a service to local businesses and charities. The club also runs scholarships, contributes to food banks, and supports dog guide training.
“Since we started tracking, we’ve sponsored about eight dog guides,” said Joan. “One young boy in Dunnville had a diabetic alert dog that would stop him multiple times during the day to signal he needed sugar. That was life changing.”
Through Lions International, the Dunnville Lions have supported broader causes like disaster relief, blindness prevention programs, and youth camps. Locally, they remain dedicated to volunteerism.
“If you look back, the Lions often stepped in where there weren’t government supports,” Steven said. “They helped families with medical needs, took children to the beach, and sponsored youth sports. The whole idea was to improve the quality of life in Dunnville.”
Today, the club is smaller than it once was, but the 23 current members remain proud of its place in the community.
“Dunnville Lions is the oldest service club in town,” said Joan. “Other groups like Optimist and Rotary came later, but we’ve all worked together. There are very few people in our area who haven’t been touched by a Lions project in some way.”
The club’s centennial celebration will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Dunnville Lifespan Centre, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 per person and available until October 15 by emailing granddunnvillelions@gmail.com.
Guests will enjoy a roast beef dinner by Debb’s Cuisine, a 50/50 draw, and raffle prizes, along with displays of memorabilia and history. Judge Brian Stevenson, a past international president of Lions Clubs, will be among the guest speakers.
The Lions are also planning a tree-planting initiative in partnership with other community groups.
“We’d like to say that at our 100th anniversary, we planted 100 trees,” Steven said. “That’s something lasting for the future.”
As the club reflects on 100 years, members stress that the celebration belongs to the whole community.
“Of course, our community has supported us all the way,” said Joan. “This is your celebration too.”
