Grygla Lion’s history is shared as the organization celebrates 100 years

The below information was written by Donna Jelle in 2007. It was shared at the 90th anniversary celebration of the Lion’s Club International, put on by the Grygla Lion’s Club. 2017 marks 100 years since the organization, as a whole, was started. 

Written by Donna Jelle, 2007

Lion’s History

When Melvin Jones started the Lion’s Club in 1917, he must have known that the poor will always be with us. Nor will disaster cease to happen. Nor will disease disappear. His goal was not to eliminate, but to see the suffering. 90 years – that’s 9 decades of Lions service to local communities and worldwide communities. That’s a world immeasurably better off than if Melvin Jones somehow would have failed to bring people together in service.

Here is a little history of the Lion’s purpose. Helen Keller was born in 1880 and was blind and deaf since the age of 2. She worked and spoke of her disabilities for an organization, but didn’t always agree with the way it was managed. It was in 1925 that Helen was asked to speak at a Lion’s Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. The Lions were quite a new organization at that point, beginning in 1917. They had been searching for a purpose and it was there, at the convention, that Helen Keller, herself, became the match that fit the Lion’s mission for the blind. Helen understood her audience of Lions that day and she fulfilled their direction of a purpose for the Lion’s organization splendidly.

In less than 10 minutes, she changed the course of Lion’s history and ultimately the personal histories of untold people without vision or threatening blindness. Sitting near the stage and listening carefully to Helen’s words was Melvin Jones, founder of the Lions in 1917. 

The Lion’s organization in its early years was sort of a disappointment to Melvin Jones, which stemmed from the narrow self-interest of the group of businessmen members. Melvin wanted to do something for communities with emphasis on SERVICE. The first businessmen members didn’t seem to have a whole hearted commitment to service.

Before the delegates left Cedar Point, they voted to adopt sight conservation and work for the blind as a major service activity. Helen Keller said, “The Lion’s attitude toward the blind is something new in the world. They are helping the blind as they would help one of their own members who have been met with a misfortune.” Helen made her last appearance in 1961 at a Lion’s Club meeting in Washington. She concluded, “Someday you will come together again in this beautiful capital of our country and look over the fields of your endeavors. If I am alive then, I shall stand before you with glad confidence and say, ‘Well done, good and faithful knights of the blind,’ and you will say with equal joy, ‘We have received as richly as we have given!’ 

Helen died in 1968. It has been said of her that people who met her walked away convinced they had touched greatness.

And so it is today, helping the blind remains an important part of the Lion’s Club, among many other things.

“Build a better world,” said God.

And I answered, “How? This world is such a vast place and so complicated, and I’m so small and useless; there is nothing I can do.”

But God in all wisdom answered, “Just build a better you.”

I truly believe the Lion’s Club does just that.

Grygla Lion’s Club

The Grygla Lion’s Club began organizing in the fall of 1970. Several meetings were held with members of the Goodridge Lion’s Club and Ernie Dorn of Lion’s International. Goodridge was the sponsoring club.

The Lion’s charter was presented in January 1971 with 79 charter members listed. The Charter Night banquet was held in March of 1971 at the Grygla School.

One of the first projects of the Lion’s Club was to begin raising funds for a community center. Lions were also instrumental in getting a newspaper started in Grygla, and were in charge of selling the first subscriptions.

Other local projects have been: creating tennis courts, contributing to the building of a city arena, new baseball fields, the sliding hill and donating to people in need. The Lion’s donated May Corporation chairs to area nursing homes. They have also been a part of almost all charity causes that have been instigated in Grygla. In addition to donating money to the local scholarship committee, the Lion’s Club also covers the cost of the Grygla Community Center for all benefits that take place. 

On a national level, the Lion’s Club is an active contributor to the Lion’s Eye Bank, Leader-Dog School, Children’s Hospital and the Hearing Center.

Charter officers of the Grygla Lions were Roy Nordby, Sheldon Peterson, Howard Henrickson, Amos Thompson, Ken Rustin, Orlin Ostby, Morris Hermanson, Arden Thomas, Henry Holte, Bob Santl, Ralph Rundell and Stewart Sistad.

Charter members who have been continuous members since 1971 include Roy Nordby, Ronald Engelstad, Richard Engelstad, Billy Wikert, Sheldon Peterson and Ralph Rundell.

Current officers today

2017 Grygla Lion’s officers today are: Richard Mosher, President; Danny Bragg, Vice Presdent; Leann Wikert, Treasurer; Bryan Grove, Gambling CEO; Nadine Wold, Gambling Manager; Mildred Klamar/Wayne Warne, Co-Secretaries

Current membership rosters stand at 74.

Celebrating 100 years

As of right now, in celebration of 100 years, a Lion’s Club International revolving float will be entered into various parades around the area throughout the summer. An actual design hasn’t been decided yet, but will include the organizations in Zone 7 and of Lions District 5M11. Zone 7 includes: Grygla, Goodridge, Greenbush-Badger, Roseau, Wannaska and Warroad. 

The Grygla Lion’s Club meets this week and will discuss any further plans to honor the 100 year anniversary.