In early 1974, the Charlotte
Eastern Lions Club accepted the challenge of District 31-C to
establish a new Lions Club in the SouthPark
area of Charlotte, NC USA.
Individuals who lived and worked in the general area of the SouthPark
Mall were invited to attend a luncheon meeting at the S & W
Cafeteria, located in the Mall, to determine if there was sufficient
interest to form a new Lions club. The Charlotte Eastern Lions Club
accepted the challenge to be the sponsoring club, with Lion D. K. Pittman
serving as the guiding Lion.
There
were over 30 invitees at the first S & W Cafeteria meeting, and
27
of them became charter members on March 25, 1974. The response was
enthusiastic and they quickly selected the name Charlotte SouthPark Lions.
Clayton S.
"Smithy" Curry, Jr.,
an attorney, whose father had been an active Lion, was elected to serve
as the first president with a full slate of officers for the few months
until July 1974 plus the first full year of the club's existence from
July 1974 until June 1975.
In 1978, due to declining membership, the Daybreak Lions Club,
agreed to merge into the SouthPark Club. Since its origin in 1974, the
SouthPark Club membership has averaged 40 - 50 Lions per year. The Club
has had a variety of meeting places through the years: S & W
Cafeteria, Towne House Restaurant, Ramada Inn, the Cupboard Restaurant,
and since 1996, the Fairview Plaza Restaurant at 5950 Fairview Road,
across from the SouthPark Mall. The Club meets every Friday morning
from 7:30 - 8:30 AM. Membership is open to men and women who have an
interest in serving their fellowmen in this community and around the
world.
The SouthPark Lions Club
has provided three governors for District
31-C:
Clayton S. "Smithy" Curry. Jr. (1990 - 1991)
James "Jim" H. Sasser (2000 - 2001)
Hunter Garbee (2004 - 2005)
David Shimberg
Of the 27 Charter Members
in 1974, three remain:
Smithy Curry
Moodye Clary
Felix Smith
Lion David
Shimberg, PDG is the Charlotte
SouthPark Lions Club President for 2008 - 2009.
Copyright 2009 | southparklionsclub.org
South Park Lions
Club, Charlotte NC USA
