The National City Host Lions Club is not like any other service club.
Typically anyone can join a service club like the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs.
But with the National City Lions Club the only way one can join is by invitation from a club member. Members must also pay its annual dues of $150 that goes back into the club’s fundraising budget.
Brian Clapper, membership chair of the National City Host Lions Club, said Lions Club members are not permitted to join other clubs.
“With Rotary and Kiwanis you can be a member of both,” he said. “With the Lions, it is in their by-laws that you can only be a Lion.”
Clapper, who is in his 11th year with the club, said the reason for this is because the club wants its members to be focused and committed as a Lions Club member in making the National City community a better place.
While Rotarians are mostly business people and Kiwanis are usually educators, Clapper said Lions are a mixture of everyone.
The Host National City Lions Club currently has 30 members and six on its executive board. The board meets every Thursday at the National City Boys and Girls Club to discuss activities, events and fundraising opportunities.
A Lions Club member can often be seen at community events with their signature bright yellow vests with blue trim.
Since its inception in 1944, the club has raised money for Sweetwater Union High School’s athletic programs. The money is used to help fund equipment, uniforms, tournament fees, transportation and whatever else is needed for a Sweetwater team.
“Most of the Lions members in National City Host are Sweetwater alumni so we feel very connected with that school,” Clapper said.
The group raises money throughout the year but their largest fundraiser is the six-day Fourth of July carnival that is held annually at Kimball Park.
The club has a contract with Christian’s Amusements. Clapper said in the contract it says that the club gets a percentage of the revenue generated from the carnival. They also raise funds by renting out food booths to different vendors for the carnival.
“The money that we raise, 100 percent of it goes right back into the National City community,” Clapper said. “If there is a need in the community, we try to fill it.” he said.
For the holiday season, the club has partnered with the National School District for its Spirit of the Holidays event, which provides A christmas dinner and toys to children.
