The Butler Lions Club was sponsored by the New Castle Lions Club and was chartered on June 15, 1923. A significant early achievement of the club was the establishment of the Butler County Association for the Blind. They were encouraged and assisted in this effort by Helen Keller and her friend Mabel Taylor of Delmont, Pennsylvania. Helen Keller was responsible for the Lions involvement in helping the blind when she spoke at an early national convention and urged the Lions to become the” Knights of the Blind”. Today the Butler Association serves the needs of vision challenged individuals from Butler and Armstrong Counties. The Club continues to provide financial support and has a strong relationship with the organization..
Among the early activities of the Club some unusual ones included the purchase of the first Butler High School band uniforms. They provided after school transportation for high school athletes from rural areas as there was no bus service provided in those days. Over the years many members have served as officers at the five county district level and at the state level. Included in the group are a past Pennsylvania State President, Samuel Oesterling Sr, six District Governors and many District officers and committee chairpersons.
In the 1940’s the Club purchased property in Center Township and the Lion’s Park was born. Over the years this facility was used for summer meetings and many groups enjoyed their summer picnics and socials there. Today there is a Lions Road adjacent to the property. After the park was sold the Club provided funds to rehabilitate a picnic shelter christened the LIONS SHELTER at Alameda Park and now meet there in the summer months. For the balance of the year we meet at the Blind Association building.
In recent years the club has continued to offer support and funds to many local organizations and individuals while supporting the district and International humanitarian activities. These include many areas of vision related projects, diabetes awareness, youth outreach, and assistance with disaster relief to name a few. Visit the PROJECTS and FUND RAISERS pages for a complete description of our activities.
The Butler Lions Club presently has over forty members from all walks of life actively pursuing the Lions motto “WE SERVE”.
History compiled by Lion Sam Oesterling Sr. (Thanks Sam)
Past Presidents of Butler Lions Club
75th Anniversary Speech
