Princeton Lions Club to host fundraiser, celebrate 100th anniversary

The Princeton Lions Club will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year with a fundraiser at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Princeton Moose Lodge, 1339 N. Euclid Ave.

The event will feature a chicken and spaghetti dinner, live and silent auctions and other activities as part of the club’s yearlong celebration.

During a recent Princeton City Council meeting, members of the club shared their history and ongoing contributions to Princeton.

Founded in 1925, 47-year member Jim Argo said the Princeton Lions Club is one of the oldest in the world, with Lions Clubs International currently having more than 1.4 million members across more than 49,000 total clubs in the world.

“We have been serving Princeton for 100 years,” Argo said. “Our motto is ‘We Serve’ and that’s what we’ve been doing from the start.”

“We’re one of the oldest clubs in the world, and we’re looking forward to continuing our work for many more years.”

Argo said the club has been involved in a variety of local projects over the years, including sponsoring youth camps for those with visual or hearing impairments, providing assistance for veterans and supporting the local library.

The club also has hosted the annual Christmas parade, which celebrated its second night parade in December.

“We can’t do any of this without the community’s help,” Lions Club President Scott Smith said. “Whether it’s the Christmas parade or projects like the Veterans Park cleanup, it takes all of us pulling together to make it happen.”

The club contributes to organizations like Camp Lions, Leader Dogs for the Blind and provides ramps for those in need.

In the past year, the club helped raise $3,700 for local food pantries.

Former President Alan Weber said the club needs new members and invites the public to join.

“We’re a little light on members right now, but we’re always looking for new people who want to give back to the community,” Weber said. “Anyone who’s interested can reach out and learn more.”

Tickets cost $15. All proceeds from the upcoming fundraiser will support Lions-sponsored initiatives.

For more information on the Lions Club or to buy tickets for the Feb. 22 celebration, visit the Princeton Lions Club Facebook group or visit one of their biweekly board meetings held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., and the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Ye Olde Underground Inn, 219 S Sixth St.

In other items, the City Council:

• Announced adjustments to the garbage schedule for President’s Day, with pick-ups on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Residents are encouraged to have garbage out by 5 a.m.