The Cornelius/Lake Norman Lions Club has served the community for nearly 60 years, but now membership is waning and its future is uncertain. With just 12 active members, membership has dipped as low as it was the club’s first year.

Without new members, the club may need to consider merging with a larger, more active Lions Club, President Angelo A. Lorusso said, but in doing so would risk losing the history of the Cornelius club, first chartered in 1953.

“To preserve the heritage of the Cornelius/Lake Norman Lions Club, we need your help, now more than ever,” Mr. Lorusso says in his latest newsletter, and encourages people interested in giving back to their community to join the club.

Here’s his message:

The Cornelius/Lake Norman Lions Club was first chartered in May of 1953 with a total of 12 members. At that time, the charter members were, Pastor of a prominent local church, Owner of a local nursery/garden center as well as other members of the community who were passionate about assisting the blind.

Throughout the following years, the Cornelius/Lake Norman Lions grew to over 45 members. Again these members were the Bank President, School Teachers/Principals, Eye Doctors, Dentists, Local Business Owners and yes a few Politicians.

During this period of high growth, the Cornelius Lions hosted Fashion Shows and Miss N.C. Beauty Pageants, Yard and Garage Sales and yes, they also sold the “world famous” Lions Club Brooms, door to door.

All the while the Lions never lost focus of their main mission: assisting the blind. Money raised by the Cornelius/Lake Norman Lions went to building a beautiful camp on the western shores of Lake Norman, Clinical Eye Research, even purchasing a building in North Charlotte that would employ over 150 visually impaired men and women who make items for the U.S. Military (yes folks, blind people can run sewing machines). All of this and other projects were accomplished by a group of caring and dedicated members of the Cornelius Community. As these members passed on or moved away, there was no one waiting in the wings to take their place.

Fast forward to 2012, The Cornelius Lions are down to 12 active members, many with over 60 years of service. They may come to meetings, but are too frail to help with projects. There is talk of the possibility of merging with a larger, more active club.

To preserve the heritage of the Cornelius/Lake Norman Lions Club, we need your help, now more than ever.

If you enjoy serving others and would like to become a Cornelius/LKN Lion, click here.

You can also contact president Angelo A. Lorusso Jr at sirclean0057@gmail.com or call him at 704-962-7576

For more information on Lions and the services they are providing throughout the world, visit
www.lionsclubs.org