The Big Bear Lions Club was originally chartered April 5, 1939 with 30 local business leaders. Shortly thereafter the nation was thrown into World War II. The Big Bear Lake Lions Club sponsored and supported war bond drives, helped man an aircraft warning station, and opened a service men’s club to help build up the morale of thousands of service men at rest camps here and at military installations nearby. The center was maintained and supported by the Lions with hundreds of free breakfasts prepared and served by club members every weekend for several years. To defray expenses of the project, home-talent follies and shows were presented.

Big Bear Lions with the Boy Scouts

Youth commanded our attention from the inception with the Boy Scout movement; the Club provided them a meeting place and leadership. A July 4th old-fashioned BBQ was staged for several years as a major fundraiser. Later, annual scholarship awards were initiated for local students in line with the student speaker contests. In support of vision needs, the Club purchased hundreds of pairs of glasses and paid for eye examinations for those in need.

White Cane Days were important and one of the first free glaucoma clinics in the county was held here. Used eye glasses were, and still are, collected at various locations. In those early days the Lions Club held a community Christmas Party and provided the large lighted tree.

Community betterment projects included providing street signs, lake clean-up, litter cans, trees and shrubs. The Club also outfitted the first rescue unit in the local sheriff’s department.

On October 15, 1979, the Big Bear Lions Club renewed its charter, sponsored by the Running Springs Lions Club. The original bell, a gift from the “Victoryville” Lions Club in 1939, was found in someone’s attic and is still used today.

The Deep Pit BBQ at Cedar Lake was an annual event for many years. There, the Lions rebuilt a movie set water wheel and BBQ pits. The Club participated in the Jimmy Heuga ski race when it was held in Big Bear and sponsored the Grizzly Run–a 10K race. During the Old Miners Parade Lions wheeled their carts along the street selling hot dogs. Even in the early days the Club was supportive of Guide Dogs of the Desert often helping out with work parties.

In 1983, Club members traveled to Hawaii for the International Convention where they were hosted by the Lahaina Lions of Maui. Conventions have always been a popular project for the Club and we have won many awards in the Food Fest, Costumes, and Booth Decorations categories.

Fundraising for Lions and community needs is always in the forefront of our efforts. To date, the Club has raised over $40,000 for the City of Hope with our annual Pizza Fest at the local Village Pizza restaurant and through other fundraising efforts. “Giant” charity yard sales were held which raised thousands of dollars over the years.

Current projects mirror the past. The Club gives away thousands of cups of coffee and cocoa at Halloween and Christmas in the Village; participates in the annual Old Miners Day Parade; sponsors local Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Venture troops; provides eye screenings for Elementary, Middle and High School children each year, as well as adults at the local Health Fair; purchases eye glasses and white canes for those in need; and provides financial support to local schools and athletic teams. We hope to renovate Big Bear City Park for use by the community; the scope of this project has yet to be determined.

The Big Bear Lions Club has an inspiring record of service and achievement in the community as well as in Lions District 4-L5 and MD-4. The spirit of Lionism is portrayed by our Club’s members and will always be at the heart of our efforts.

As of July 1, 2010, the BBLC will be the proud sponsors of the Crestline Lioness Club.  The Crestline Lions Club disbanded after 71 years and the Lioness Club needed a new sponsor.  BBLC voted unanimously to sponsor the Crestline Lioness Club at their meeting on April 15, 2010.

Photo credit: Patty King