By Brandie Majeau
The Lions Club of Smoky Lake has been an essential part of community service
since 1947 and is making a renewed call for new members as it faces the challenge of
filling the shoes of its aging membership. With decades of contributions to local,
regional, and international initiatives, the club is at a crossroads, looking to inspire a
new generation to carry its legacy forward.
Founded and sponsored by the Andrews Lions Club, the Smoky Lake chapter
has been a driving force for positive change in the area. From providing a para-transit
bus and supporting Memorial Park to organizing pancake breakfasts and donating to
the food bank, the club’s impact is felt across every corner of the community. Other local
projects include funding public skating, swimming lessons, medical equipment,
playgrounds, and scholarships, as well as offering volunteer security at public events
and maintaining drop-off bins for clothes and toys.
But the Lions’ reach extends well beyond Smoky Lake. Internationally, the club
supports major initiatives such as the CNIB, Lions Eye Bank, Guide Dogs programs,
disaster relief, World Site Programs, and diabetes awareness through the Cavalcade.
“Lions Clubs are unique,” reads a recent brochure. “Lions clubs support sight programs,
assist the disabled, feed the hungry, and provide disaster relief,” but each club also
“Choose their own projects and activities,” based on the needs and interests of its
members and community.
Membership in the Lions Club is about more than volunteering. Members gain
valuable skills, develop leadership abilities, and forge connections with community
members and Lions around the world. The club highlights the personal and professional
growth that comes with service, as well as the satisfaction of making a real difference.
With its motto “We Serve,” the Smoky Lake Lions Club is inviting community-
minded individuals to join their ranks. “Help us—help you!” they urge. As the club looks
to the future, it hopes to ensure that its tradition of service continues for generations to
come. The Lions Club of Smoky Lake is actively seeking new members. Like many
organizations, as members age and step back from duty there are often times when
there are not enough members of a younger generation stepping in to fill these spaces.
They are actively campaigning to increase awareness of who they are and what it
means to be a Lion. For anyone interested in more information about becoming a Lion
please find them on their social media pages or phone 780-777-2709.