The Lions Club of New Ulm was chartered in 1929. We are one of 49,000 clubs of the Lions Clubs International organization. We are the world’s largest service organization with 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries. Lions Clubs International was founded by Chicago business man, Melvin Jones in 1917. Lions Clubs International’s motto is “We Serve” and that is exactly what the New Ulm Lions do. Today, the Lions Club of New Ulm includes both men and women in their membership of 67 members. The New Ulm Lions focus their service opportunities in a number of areas. We help those who suffer with Vision, Hearing and Diabetes Impairment, Childhood Cancer and many other humanitarian needs.

In the past year the New Ulm Lions have given to many organizations, foundations and needs. Just a small sample include, Eye Glasses for individuals, The New Ulm Area Food Shelf, Adaptive Recreational Services, Hearing Aids for an individual. Heart to Home, Leader Dog, Meals on Wheels, New Ulm Fire Department, Oak Hills Living Center, Project New Hope, Pro Kinship, Turner Hall. The MN Lions Vision Foundation, who works with the University of Minnesota to collect human corneas for transplant and used eyeglasses for delivery to third world countries. The MN Lions Hearing Foundation, they work with the University of Minnesota to do research to solve the problems with children’s hearing disabilities. The MN Lions Diabetes Foundation who works with the University of Minnesota to find a CURE for diabetes. The MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation and many more local donations. The Lions Club of New Ulm also supports the Low Vision Project based at the NU Public Library.

To financially support the above donations, the NU Lions have 3 main fund raisers each year. They are, the Dad’s Belgian Waffle Brunch held on the last Sunday of February, serving “All You Can Eat” waffles, sausages, coffee, orange juice and water. The Annual Spring Raffle is scheduled in late May. You have a chance to win $500 by purchasing a $10 ticket. Our biggest event of the year is our Fly-In Breakfast. It is always held on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year the date will be Sept. 8th. We serve “All you Can Eat” pancakes, sausages, apple sauce, coffee, orange juice and water. This will be our 50th year. Come out to the NU Municipal Airport, have a delicious breakfast, and watch many, many airplanes land and take off. We normally serve about 1600 guest each year. Also, look for us at the Cash Wise Brat Stand this summer.

We are very proud of the “We Serve” part of our mission. Each spring and fall we clean 2 miles of highway 14 road ditch just west of New Ulm. We participate in the annual Trunk or Treat held at the middle school parking lot just before Halloween. We also participate in the Bavarian Blast parade and Parade of Lights. This year, for the first time, we screened the eyes of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade students at the Jefferson and Middle Schools. We screened 555 students. 56 were referred to a professional eye doctor for follow-up care. We will be doing the same screening at this year’s Home Show. See you there!