By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
When the Hays Lions Club was first organized on October 10, 1924, the members were primarily Fort Hays State University professors, and local doctors and attorneys, all male.
Today, 100 years later, the members include women, people from all walks of life and of varying ages.
The service group celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday evening with a dinner featuring a guest speaker who is one of the club's more prominent members and a former Hays resident, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.
Moran served as president of the Hays Lions Club in 1990-91 and is still a member after 41 years. He is occasionally able to attend the meetings Tuesday at noon.
"I sorely miss my days as part of this club. I miss my days as part of this community," Moran said. "It's had a huge impact on my life.
"And while it's nice to know people across Kansas, you all have something special. You all have something special going on when you know what's going on in the community. You're engaged in what's going on in the community, and you make a difference."
Other special guests included state Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, Hays City Commissioner Reese Barrick, Ellis County Commissioner Michael Berges and his family, and District Judge Tom Drees and his wife Patricia.
Members from several other Kansas Lions organization were also on hand to observe the Hays club's milestone.
Attendees also included representatives from several Ellis County non-profit organizations which have received grants from the Hays Lions Club.
The club's three main fundraising projects are the annual pancake feed, an Oktoberfest booth featuring German bierocks and a golf tournament, said Jim Huenergarde, club president.
One of the club's most well-known projects is free eyesight screenings for children and adults.
"Lions Club work for the blind and visually impaired began in 1925 when Helen Keller addressed the international Lions convention. We've taken that up ever since then," Huenergarde said. He is a board member of the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation.
"We do a lot of it here in town. We do vision screenings at daycare centers. We help the schools. It's been very productive and helpful, especially getting the young children screened."
Scattered throughout the area where the dinner was catered in the NCK Technical College administration building were memorabilia of the 100 years of history of the Hays Lions, including the original framed International Association of Lions Clubs charter.
While Moran received a new Lions Club pin and an distinguished achievement recognition from the Lions Club International president, he, in turn, signed and presented service recognition certificates for three long-time Hays members, including 31 years for Warren Hall, who is 103 years old, 49 years for Roger Pruitt, and 56 years for Les Herrman.
Pruitt and Herrman both previously served as president of the Hays Lions Club.
"This is an organization that has a huge impact on people. ... I just encourage all of you to continue to care for other people and make a difference in this community and the lives of people you know and people you never met until you get a chance to help them," Moran said.
The club also announced Moran and his wife Robba had donated $1,000 to the club for local grant funding.
There are currently 50 members of the Hays Lions Club. They are soliciting new members. Anyone who is interested should call Huenergarde at 785-639-3430.
