The Lions Club of Barrie was chartered in 1931 by 25 thoughtful men who believed in their community. In Canada it was the great depression-breadlines and soup kitchens were plentiful. Mortgage foreclosures were forcing honest people onto the streets. Merchants were shattered by bankruptcy and Western Canada was parched by the most ravaging draught in the country's history.

Canadians were singing God Save the King, and raising their water glasses to King George V.
At the Oddfellows Temple on Collier Street in Barrie, this town saw it's second service club come into existence. An evening service organization, the Lions Club of Barrie was born. A charter member and chairman of the inaugural meeting on October 18, 1931 was Bill Bell, a High School Music Teacher & Pianist.

Twenty -five new members attended the charter night, and shortly after forming, the Lions Club adopted the Lions International's program of sight conversation as a major emphasis for service. However, most of the club's early work took the form of social assistance, since programs did not exist to help the needy as they do today. The distribution of milk to the schools during the depression was one of our continuing programs

Dues in 1931 were $12.50 per year and meals cost 25 cents.

It was during the war years of 1939-1945 that Lions were able to turn themselves towards the spiritual well being of the town's young people. In 1943 the Lions Club started the Sea Cadet Corp. In fact, many Lions took an active leadership role with the boys. The Sea Cadets remain an active body in Barrie today.

The Lions Club stepped in almost anywhere they were needed. Early policy was to get involved in actual building - the club sent work crews to Lake Joseph Camp for the blind, the camp for deaf and to the Kidney Dialysis Camp at Dorset.
But it's the energies of a group of people directed toward common goals that have given the members of the Lions Club of Barrie that quiet fortitude that has carried them along the service club path for over half a century.

The accomplishments of the club are many. Some of our projects over the years were financing the YMCA swimming pool, picnic shelters at various parks, donations to the Royal Victoria Hospital and Georgian College. It is the richness that this giving has returned to the community that really counts. Lions, Lioness and their counterparts in every service club give Barrie that identifiable goodness that makes a community whole. It is estimated that the Lions Club of Barrie has raised and donated over $1,000,000. during their first 60 years.
On July 4,1986, the club purchased the Embassy Hall which was renamed the Lions Hall. Since then a substantial amount of money has been raised through the hall rental for special occasions.

The past presidents of the club continue to hold a past president's dinner and get together in the month of October each year. It is always attended by a good number of those eligible.
"MORE TO COME"

The Lions Club of Barrie wish to thank the late Lion Terry Barrett from the Agincourt Lions Club and Lion Harold Keiser from the Innisfil Lions Club for their kind assistance in the construction of this web site.

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