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Akron Host Lions Club History
1919 – 2014
“Not for Us Alone”
The Founding of the Club and the Roaring Twenties
Our club started with a meeting, a gathering of like-minded citizens. This was a gathering where people united for the simple, yet noble cause to serve others and improve the Akron community. Those who were at this first meeting would have had much to discuss because these were tumultuous times. The day before this first meeting, a nationwide strike took place – The Steel Strike of 1919. The outcome of this strike was uncertain and the effects on the American and Akron economy would be unknown. This was the year after the First World War ended and much of Europe lay in ruins. The Communist revolution in Russia was coming to an end. This was the year that the League of Nations was first proposed to the world. There was significant labor unrest in the city of Akron and there was significant fear of revolutionists and anarchists organizing a Communist Party in Akron. Anarchists organized several mail bombings in June of this year. In November of this year, more labor strikes would follow in the Coal industry. Rampant inflation begins to accelerate the destruction of the German economy.
There were a lot of reasons why leaders in Akron could have waited to organize what would later become the Akron Host Lions Club. With so much uncertainty, with so much economic instability, maybe it would have been more prudent to wait for a more prosperous and peaceful time to organize a new club to serve the community. The largest and most destructive war in human history had just ended. The most destructive global influenza pandemic had just taken the lives of 500,000 Americans, and possibly 100 million people globally between 1918 and 1919. This global pandemic had come to a final third wave of infection and death in the spring and early summer of 1919. It is believed that one fourth of the entire global population had been infected by this new strain of influenza, called at that time the Spanish Flu. It is highly probable to believe that many of the founding members of our club had been infected with this disease, or had family members that had recently succumbed to the pandemic. It is equally probably to believe that many of our founding club members either served in the first world war, or had immediate family that served, and possibly died in that war. But, as this story will reveal, there never is a ‘perfect’ time to start something new. There never is a ‘right’ time to organize a club based on principles of cooperation, selflessness, and international brotherhood. There never is an ‘appropriate’ time to go against the grain of contemporary culture and become a servant to others in need. It was true then, and even more-true today: now is the time to make a difference. That was the vision then in September of 1919 when our club had the first meeting. That is the vision that has guided every meeting, every decision, every project since: now is the time to make a difference.
Akron, in this period of history, is considered a boom town. The population increased by over 200% between 1910 and 1920 -- earning Akron the distinction of being the fastest growing city in the United States. It was at the peak of this economic expansion that the Akron Host Lions Club was organized in our city. In the same year that the First World War came to an end, and the League of Nations was first proposed to the world, The Akron Host Lions Club was originally organized. On September 23rd, 1919 The Akron Lions held their first meeting and later received its Lion Charter on October 14th, 1920. There are 102 names on this original Lion Charter. Lions International records indicate that the Akron Host Lions club was organized by Fred Davis, with Wilson J. Wetterau acting as first secretary and treasurer, and Dow W. Harter serving as first president. In 1924, annual dues were $80, including meals. Adjusted to inflation in dollars to 2011, that would equate to $1,066. In December of 1924 the dues were reduced to $36 per year. Again, inflation adjusted to 2011 dollars -- that would equate to $476.
During the roaring twenties, as the city of Akron expanded dramatically, meetings were held at some of the most notable and significant buildings in the growing metropolis of Akron: the Old Portage Hotel, Masonic Temple, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A, Mayflower Hotel, Hotel Akron, Kaase’s Restaurant, Woman’s City Club, and Sanginiti’s. From 1926 to 1932, the Club arranged picnics for the blind of Summit County at Summit Beach Park and Springfield Lake Park.
Our club in this decade benefited from the leadership of several men, most notably Dow W. Harter, John S. Knight and Arthur Saalfied. The first president of our Club was born in Akron in 1885. Dow W. Harter was a distinguished lawyer and prosecutor. While the president of the Akron Lions, Harter was the United States Commissioner in Akron, Ohio. Harter, as a Democrat, was elected to the 73rd Congress, and served for another three terms in the United States House of Representatives.
In 1923, the club president, John S. Knight was an up-and-coming sports writer for the Akron Beacon Journal. He would later be promoted to managing editor, and would inherit the paper from his father. After winning the Pulitzer Prize for editorial journalism, he would go on to be co-founder of the Knight Foundation. Arthur J. Saalfied, president of Akron Host from 1928-29, was the founder of the Saalfield Publishing Company. As Akron flourished during this era, membership of the club expanded and included some of the most notable citizens of influence in our community.
This view of downtown Akron was taken in 1930 from the steps of the County Courthouse.
The construction stemming from the tremendous growth of the rubber industry is evident in the picture with the newly completed Polsky and O'Neil department stores dominating the center of the photo and the Mayflower Hotel and Y.M.C.A. building under construction on the left and right respectively. http://www.akronhistory.org/akron%20past.htm
The Depression Era 1930-1940
It was a cool sunny Tuesday afternoon on the busy streets of Akron on October 29th in 1929 when word from New York came that the stock market had crashed. Meetings for Akron Lions for many decades had been held weekly on Tuesdays. It is very likely that while Akron Lions were in their weekly meeting in downtown Akron, the Stock Market Crash of 1929 actually started.
For the average worker in Akron on that day, it wasn’t significant news. The stock market crash would affect everyone for the next ten years. The course of American history had been forever altered, all stemming from seemingly obscure events far away in New York City. Rapidy, personal income, tax revenue, and international trade plunged.
Many of the members of the Akron Host Lions Club undoubtedly faced unemployment, the loss of jobs and the loss of life savings accounts. Despite the profound economic difficulties, and unlike many service clubs in Akron from this era, the Akron Host Lions Club held firm and found a way to endure the economic storm. Certainly membership declined, finances were challenged, and the future for the Club would have seemed very uncertain. From 1930 to 1932 the Club was on Status Quo with Lions International.
The years between the stock market crash and 1933 would have been lean years, to say the least. But a nucleus of dedicated Lions were holding on, keeping faith, and not giving up on the Club. A turnaround was reached for the club in 1933, and under the leadership of club president Mr. M. F. Slapp, the Akron Host Lions Club became re-affiliated with Lions International and initiated a Sight Saving Program at Old Bowen School and later supported the sight program at Spicer School.
The War Years 1940-1945
Following the economic devastation of the Great Depression, our club would have been poised to serve the community as another war engulfed the entire world. Certainly, many of our club families would have been touched by the events of the Second World War. As new waves of nationalism formented waves of destructive military offenses in Europe and Asia, members of our club would have served in the military, served as civilians at home, and served in any capacity that Lionism would require. These were difficult years for our community and again, the future of the entire world would have seemed very uncertain at this point in history. Through this tumultuous period, our Club prevailed and continued to find ways to serve our fellow citizens.
The Club donated substantially in labor and monies to Camp Manitoc and worked for several years with Handicap Action, with donations of money, manpower, transportation and Minstrel shows. With the war raging in Europe and in the Pacific, our Club continued on as a positive force for service in Akron.
Post War Years 1946-1950
As the war came to an end in Europe in the spring of 1945, and in the Pacific in the summer of that same year, a new era was beckoning for Akron and for our Club. The Nazi movement died with Hitler in a burned out crater in Berlin. Japanese nationalism was swept away by the nuclear bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Over twenty million human beings were in fresh graves as the result of the last world war. Never had narrow -minded nationalistic ideologies come to such fruition in human history. Akron Host Lions Club membership rolls would have expanded as men returned to work in the factories and executive offices of Akron. Our Club’s service to the blind community, to orphans, and to the Red Cross dominate this period. In 1946 and 1947 the Club sponsored an annual fundraiser, the Ground Hog Day Party, held at the Akron Leidertafel. During 1947, the Club devoted much time to the Red Cross Drive, and held their first car raffle with a profit of $2,100. Club membership this year was 126. In 1948 the Lions Clubs of Summit County organized the “Rose Day Council” to raise $20,000 to purchase a home for the blind of Summit County. By 1950, the full quota was raised and the Summit County Society of the Blind home was purchased. In 1948 and 1949, Lions assisted in the construction of wardrobes and Soapbox Derby racers at the Summit County Children’s Home. In 1949 the Club furnished a room at Children’s Hospital at a cost of $750.
The Decade Starting With a Letter to Year 2000
In Akron during this period, industry was in full industrial production mode. The streets of downtown were brimming with activity as the red-hot local economy of the post war years came to a peak. A new wave of optimism and patriotism swept through the city and many remember these days as the ‘glory years.’ Never had so many jobs existed for so many different occupations in our community. Many of these jobs were union-paying jobs with decent salaries with excellent benefits. There seemed to be no end in sight for the prosperity of Akron. In 1950, a letter was drafted and was addressed to the President of the Akron Host Lions Club and was buried at Perkins Mansion Porch, 550 Copley Rd. to be opened in the year 2000. The full text of that letter, retrieved in 2000 is as follows:
The Lions Club of Akron
Akron, Ohio
July 31, 1950.
Mr. Whoever You May Be,
President of Akron Lions Club,
Akron 8, Ohio.
Dear Mr. President:
As you start reading this letter you, no doubt, will wonder who the writer is and why this letter.
I have been asked by The Summit County Historical Society to write this letter to you telling you something about the growth of our club and its future plans. Oh, yes, let me introduce myself. My name is Miner Melvin Bevere. I have started my term as President of The Akron Lions Club for the year beginning July 1, 1950 thru June 30, 1951.
In October, of this year we are celebrating our thirtieth anniversary. The club was founded in October, 1920, and having as its first President, Dow W. Harter, who later was elected to the United States Congress as representative of this district. As [sic] this time we have the following Active Past Presidents: Earl Hollen – P.A. Hyde – N. R. Michell – Dr. Clare L. Goff – E. O. Mowrer – Robert L. Culbertson -- Frank W. Kroeger – R. Earl Kennedy – R. Early Kennedy – A. W. Snyder == C. L. Granecome – Charles B. Webb – Roy E. Browne – F. Douglas Rea – Jack Slapp – G. V. Calhoun – W. C. Preston – Paul E. Pascher – Walker Barnes.
During the past year our Club along with the other Lions Clubs in this district, namely, The South Akron – Barberton – Cuyahoga Falls – Stow and Tallmadge, completed one of the largest projects ever tackled in this district, through the selling of live and paper roses and direct contributions we raised $20,000 to purchase a home for the Blind. This home is located at 24 North Prospect Street. [$20,000 in 1950, adjusted dollars to inflation to 2011 equates to $187,487]
At our last weekly meeting held on Tuesday, July 25, 1950, we were given a complete report on the activities of the International Lions Club Convention held in Chicago, on July 17 thru the 20th by Douglas Rea and Jerry Ricketts, two outstanding Lions from this area.
The major activity of our club is helping the Blind people in any way we can. However, our club has taken a very active part in helping others such as The Children’s Home, The handicap Action, Children’s Hospital and many other worthwhile organizations. It is the aim of our club to continue to serve the people of this community by doing even bigger and better things for them in the future.
I feel very honored to have been chosen as leader of our club for the ensuing year and will do my best to keep the good work of Lionism moving forward.
I know as you read this letter you will be thinking back over the past few years of the wonderful things the club has accomplished for the people of Akron, because a service club with the spirit of Lionism will live forever.
Please accept my congratulations on your election to the Presidency of a very worthwhile club, and may God be with you in directing the activities of the Club.
Yours truly,
Miner M. Bevere
President.
The annual installation of officers party was held June 19, 1951 at the Akron City Club and the cost of the dinner was $2.83 per person. In 1953 the Club assisted in organizing two broom-making operations, a chair-caning program, and rug and ironing board covers program at a cost of $1,800.
The Flea Market Era Begins
The decade of the sixties was an exceptionally active one for Akron Lions. Amid the significant political turmoil of this decade, Akron Lions continued to work hard, serve others and grow the Club membership base. In May of 1960, the club adopted a new money raising program called the Lions Flea Market. There is no record of profit for the May Market, but the September market netted $2.84.
James Viall’s Big Idea: The Flea Market
“James Viall of the Akron Lions had a good idea 20 years ago – not that he never had one before or since. His club was looking for a way to raise funds to support its work with the blind. Viall’s plan was this: Rent a large well-surfaced area; sell space there to churches, organizations, individuals to display and sell goods and goodies. The space people could make money and so could the downtown Lions.
Member Jerry Ricketts, alias Ol’ Doc Weatherspoon, the Medicine Man, offered a name almost original then in these parts: “Flea Market.”
The late Ward Baldwin carried Viall’s idea to Bob Postma who controlled a large, well-surfaced area – the parking acreage of the East Drive-In theater on South Avenue in Tallmadge. Bob operated the theater then but now he and his wife, Nippy, have the nifty Out-Post Inn around the corner from the drive-in on Eastwood Avenue. Postma gave the Lions the use of the theater land at no charge. That was his way to help the blind.
For the first Flea Market in April 1960, 28 spaces were rented. Within three years, the club was finding takers for all 355 spaces – and has ever since. Space holders earn a profit of from $200 to $250. In the last 19 years, it’s estimated that they have carried off perhaps as much as $2,000,000. The Lions have been able to give $100,000 for aid to the sightless. Postma leased the theater to Cleveland interests nine years ago but he insisted on a clause in the lease giving the Lions the same deal. “He is,” says Leonard B. Bolden Sr., the club’s publicist, “one of a kind.” Some of the sellers and buyers come from out of the state now."
Ken Nichols, Akron Beacon Journal Friday May 11, 1979
In 1962 the Club assisted the Oral Sabin Program to curb Polio. In July of 1962, the Club sponsored 118 French students in Akron. In 1966, 3 ceiling projectors, films and books were purchased and donated to the Akron Public Library. In February of 1965, the Club voted on continuing programs of donating $50 per month to the Akron Area Eye Bank. In September 1967, The Akron Dande’Lions were authorized to collect merchandise to work in the Lions booth at the Flea Market. In December 1967, members manned kettles for the Salvation Army in downtown Akron for the first time. In June 1968, the Club assisted Goodwill Industries and United Services for the Handicapped. September 1968 sent “The Kadadettes” a local group of marching girls to the Tokyo Lions Convention, partially financed by collecting TV Stamps. The Kadadettes later assisted in parking cars at the Flea Market. In October 1968, assisted Akron University student from India. In November 1968, paid for the medication for a Seeing Eye Dog with a grass allergy. June 1969, the Club extended an invitation to the Akron Dande’Lions to become an official auxiliary organization of the Akron Host Lions Club, therefore, subject o the rules and regulations placed upon it by the Akron Host Lions Club. In July 1969, assisted in the Y.M.C.A. summer camp program.
The Decade at Sanginiti’s
The Club successes were followed by more growth and service during the decade of the seventies. In October 1970, The Akron Host Lions Club 50th Anniversary and Cuyahoga Falls Lions Club’s 45th Anniversary were celebrated together at the Hilton North Motel on State Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. In July 1970, the Club purchased a projector, special films, and five Braille writers -- donating them to the Akron City Hospital Medical Library at a cost of $1,800. In May 1971, we donated a copy machine to the Summit County Society of the Blind. In the same year we donated raincoats and hats to Crosby and Grace Schools. Later that same year we purchased a sustaining membership in the Boy Scouts of America, and donated 3 cases of soap to Sister Mary Claver, a missionary to India. We ended 1971 by donating tuition to a blind college student. In March 1972, we donated $5,000 to purchase a Fluorescin Angiographic camera for City Hospital. In July 1972, we participated in President Eisenhower’s Person to Person program. November 1972, we donated to the Mabel Riedinger Scholarship Fund at Akron University.
In June 1973, we treated 41 children from the Akron Children’s Home to a ball game in Cleveland.
In July 1974 we placed the “Lions Club Meets Here” plaque in Sanginiti’s Restaurant. Later that year we bought a washer and dryer for Summit County Society of the Blind Home. In May of 1975 our Club pledged $20,000 toward the purchase of a Laser Machine at the Akron City Hospital Ophthalmology Center. In 1976 we started a Lions World Service Day Program of soliciting donors for the Akron Area Eye Bank and the Summit County Kidney Foundation at Chapel Hill Mall.
In 1976 our club reached out to touch the life of Nellie Zimmerman. She was a woman who was institutionalized for most of her life in hospitals that did not understand her disability. Nellie wasn’t dangerous to anyone. Nellie wasn’t mentally disabled, she wasn’t mentally ill. Nellie was blind and deaf since her tenth birthday. When our club met her in 1976, she was 70 years old and just emerging from decades of cruel institutional care. She had spent most of her life in state hospitals for the mentally ill, in institutions that were devoid of trained personnel. Akron Lions partnered with other organizations to help Nellie enjoy a fuller and more-meaningful life outside of institutional care. We worked with The Akron Division of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf, the Canton Society of the Deaf and with members of the Bethel Temple Deaf Church in Canton. Akron Host Lions Club gave Nellie a Tele-touch machine that allowed her to better communicate with others. I’m sure that in those years, Nellie was in the thoughts and prayers of Akron Lions frequently.
May 1978, we made the final payment on the Laser Machine at Akron City Hospital. November 1979, we started selling Giant Coloring Books at Chapel Hill Mall as an additional fund raising program, with income of $7,468 increasing to $11,516 in 1983. In June 1979 we started the Canister Bank Fund Raising Program. In May 1979 we started the Volunteer Ombudsman Program at the Akron Children’s Hospital Emergency Room. October 1979, we participated in the organization of the Greater Akron Lions Eyecare Program (GALEP).
The Golden Flea Market Era and Last Akron Tires
During the decade of the eighties, more challenges were to come for the city of Akron and the Akron Host Lions Club. As the economy moves, so does the direction and momentum of our club. The first warning signs of impending recession were heard in 1975 when BF Goodrich closed their manufacturing plant in Akron. This was followed by Goodyear in 1978, Firestone in 1981, and General Tire in 1982. Jobs vanished, the population decreased, and another future began to look uncertain for our city and for our club. During this decade, vast sections of our industrial manufacturing infrastructure were completely dismantled. But being true to the tenacious roots of our Lion heritage here in Akron, the Lions continued serving, continued building, continued persevering. In June 1980, we participated in the first Multiple Sclerosis 24 Hour Marathon Race Fund Raising Program. In April 1981 we donated 3 hearing aids to Akron University. 1982, donated $1,000 to the blind in Haiti. In July 1983 Akron Lions honored P.D.G Jack Darrah with Life Membership at Jack Darrah Day Dinner, for his dedication to Lionism. December 1983, participated in the first “Mile of Dollars” Fund Raising program at Chapel Hill Mall. Akron Lions continued the twenty-five year flea market tradition, working to make it even bigger and more profitable by changing the location of the Flea Market from the East Drive In to the Summit County Fairgrounds in May of 1984. In April 1985, we contributed to the District Speech and Hearing Programs. On Saturday October 12, 1985 celebrated 65th Anniversary of the Akron Host Lions Club with Past International Director James T. Coffey presiding. Through another decade of significant change, Akron Lions stuck together and continued to serve the Akron community.
The New Millennium – Not for Us Alone
As the Akron Host Lions Club enters the second decade of the new millennium, our club has developed a renewed sense of purpose. Recognizing that today’s economy is a global economy, our club perspective will broaden from service to just Akron, to service to Akron and our global community.
With advances in information technology, with an integration of the world economy, and with a more global perspective, Akron Lions intend to build on past successes and innovate for the future. Lionism is not for us just about being a good citizen in Akron. Lionism is something that connects us to our local community and to the world through service, mutual encouragement, and a shared sense of duty to help humanity.
Akron lions now recognize that history has come to fruition. Never has a global civilization emerged as is evident today. Never has a global economy emerged as is fully integrated today. Never has the ‘International’ in the title of Lions International meant as much before as it does today. Understanding our past, looking toward the future, Akron Lions have identified four areas to concentrate resources, planning, and efforts to maximize work locally from an international perspective:
- Being Knights: Helping the Sight Impaired Community of Akron and continuing our heritage of ‘Knights Of The Blind.” Our first and foremost service to the community. Our assistance to the sight impaired community is our cornerstone commitment to our local community.
- Advancing Children’s Literacy: Offering assistance to children in need – recognizing that education is a transformational investment to make and that reading literacy is foundational. The problems facing our local community will require high degrees of literacy from our children to solve. Instead of developing programs to treat multi-generational poverty in our community from a band aid perspective, Akron Lions should direct investments into programs to break the cycle of poverty – children’s literacy is a high-leverage focus point providing the highest potential returns on investment.
- Helping Preserve Families: Providing support for the preservation of the family unit – the most fundamental building block of our community and nation. Our approach to every program will be seen through the lens of the family unit. We want to increase the strength and sustainability of families in our community. The problems facing our community and the world will require significant planning, effort, and love to resolve. Akron Lions recognize that the greatest stabilizing, greatest nurturing, greatest need in our community comes from the family unit. Not all families are nuclear in structure, but all families should be regarded with equal value.
- Being Good Neighbors: Being good neighbors by preserving our environment and fostering international cooperation and increased understanding between all peoples, providing support and encouragement to the greater Akron Community to recycle, utilize public transportation, and develop urban gardening through community gardens. Never has human civilization been faced with a singular global challenge – that is the era that we live in. We did not ask for this position in history, but it has arrived – Akron Lions recognize this unique chapter in history that is currently being written. This new chapter in history will record how human civilization responds to climate change. Four areas of activity are recognized as being the highest leverage activities to positively respond to the global climate crisis.
- Fostering international cooperation and increased understanding between all peoples:
- Akron Lions will continue our planning, organization and cooperation with our Twin Clubs on all levels of club activity. Seeking new ways to collaborate, integrate, and achieve organizational synergy, Akron Lions will work in concert with our Twin Clubs:
- Subic Tambuli Lions Club (Philippines) Club # 039571
- Bataan Host Lions Club (Philippines) Club # 023678
- Lions Club of Kathmandu Balaju Height (Nepal) Club # 066768
- Increase recycling In Greater Akron Community
- Benefits of Recycling
- Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators;
- Conserves natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals;
- Prevents pollution caused by reducing the need to collect new raw materials;
- Saves energy;
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change;
- Helps sustain the environment for future generations;
- Ref: http://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycle.html
- Increase use of public transportation in Greater Akron Community
- Benefits of Public Transportation
- Public transportation provides personal mobility and freedom for people from every walk of life.
- Public transportation provides access to job opportunities for millions of Americans.
- Public Transportation Saves Fuel, Reduces Congestion
- Access to bus and rail lines reduces driving by 4,400 miles per household annually.
- Americans living in areas served by public transportation save 796 million hours in travel time and 303 million gallons of fuel annually in congestion reduction alone.
- Without public transportation, congestion costs would have been an additional $17 billion.
- For every dollar communities invest in public transportation generates approximatley $4 in economic returns.
- Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates 36,000 jobs.
- Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.
- Every $10 million in operating investment yields $32 million in increased business sales.
- The average household spends 16 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 94% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars, the largest expenditure after housing.
- Public transportation provides an affordable, and for many, necessary, alternative to driving.
- Households that are likely to use public transportation on a given day save more than $10,000 every year.
- Public Transportation Reduces Gasoline Consumption
- Public transportation’s overall effects save the United States 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
- Households near public transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles than households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons per year.
- Public Transportation Reduces Carbon Footprint
- A single commuter switching his or her commute to public transportation can reduce a household’s carbon emissions by 10%, or up to 30% if he or she eliminates a second car. When compared to other household actions that limit CO2, taking public transportation can be 10 times greater in reducing this harmful greenhouse gas.
- Ref: http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/ptbenefits/Pages/default.aspx
- Increase urban agricultural production through increasing number of community gardens in Greater Akron Community.
- Benefits of urban gardening via community gardens:
- Social Benefits:
- Helps bring families and communities together by working toward a common goal that will be beneficial for all
- Gives direct links to food production
- Creates better living environment by greening up the city and making it more productive
- Makes people stronger by putting their food security into their own hands, making them more independent and empowered
- Teaches people life skills such as how to be more self sufficient
- Creates jobs, income, and food
- Helps combat hunger
- Environmental Benefits
- Greens up the city
- Can help to clean air and rain water
- Helps to stop erosion and topsoil removal
- increases the amount of food grown and bought locally, decreasing carbon footprint
- Facilitates reuse of wastes for food production
- Has direct impacts on urban ecology
- Creates jobs and income from otherwise completely unproductive space
- Can be beneficial to people of any income
- Creates a better local economy that does not rely on food from far away
- Makes use of valuable resources, such as compost, that would otherwise go to waste in a city.
- Social Benefits:
Non Nobis Solum
There is an old home in Akron, built a few years before our club was established. Above the front doorway is carved, ‘Non Nobis Solum’ – Not for Us Alone. Many of our club members have passed through this doorway – most of us are familiar with it. In the most significant sense, these words can best represent our future vision for our Lions Club in Akron. Our history, our passion, our service, our sense of purpose is not for us alone, it is for all. It is our duty to share this story, and to continue our legacy to serve others. Our story is about people who used their drive, intelligence, and ambition not just to serve self, but to serve others.
Past Presidents of Akron Host Lions Club:
| Term | President |
| 1920-21 | Dow W. Harter |
| 1921-22 | Edward S. Babcox |
| 1922-23 | Fred A. Mayfield |
| 1923-24 | John S. Knight |
| 1924-25 | Hurl J. Albreight |
| 1925-26 | Stanley H. Austin |
| 1926-27 | Edward H. Boylan |
| 1927-28 | Hesket Kuhn |
| 1928-29 | Arthur J. Saalfield |
| 1929-30 | Roy A. Kirkpatrick |
| 1930-33 | Noel Michell |
| 1933-34 | M. F. Slapp |
| 1934-35 | E. Omar Mowrer |
| 1935-36 | Hobart Roby |
| 1936-37 | E. Earl Kennedy |
| 1937-38 | Arthur W. Snyder |
| 1938-39 | C. L. Granecome |
| 1939-40 | R. E. Brown |
| 1940-41 | F. Douglas Rea |
| 1941-42 | Frank Kroeger |
| 1942-43 | Clare L. Goff |
| 1943-44 | Robert L. Culbertson |
| 1944-45 | G. V. Calhoun |
| 1945-46 | W. C. Preston |
| 1946-47 | Paul E. Pascher |
| 1947-48 | Earl S. Hollen |
| 1948-49 | Charles B. Webb |
| 1949-50 | Walker Barnes |
| 1950-51 | Miner Bevere |
| 1951-52 | Richard H. Hendrick |
| 1952-53 | Edgar H. DeLong |
| 1953-54 | Jack Darrah |
| 1954-55 | Leonard Bolden |
| 1955-56 | Fred Goodnight |
| 1956-57 | George J. Cobak |
| 1957-58 | John Thatch |
| 1958-59 | Marion A. Stover |
| 1959-60 | Robert C. Wilson |
| 1960-61 | Thomas Duane |
| 1961-62 | Dan W. Mathias |
| 1962-63 | Ward Baldwin |
| 1963-64 | Ray Addey |
| 1964-65 | Warren V. Kaess |
| 1965-66 | Marvin Resnik |
| 1966-67 | Harry Frost |
| 1967-68 | Albert V. Rolland |
| 1968-69 | James Viall |
| 1969-70 | Bert L. Heisser |
| 1970-71 | Richard L. Merket |
| 1971-72 | Lewis Galit |
| 1972-73 | Jay Norin |
| 1973-74 | Louis Bodosy |
| 1974-75 | Sterling Deininger |
| 1975-76 | Fred Kroeger |
| 1976-77 | Tony Colao |
| 1977-78 | Lawrence H. Ray |
| 1978-79 | Glenn Hickman |
| 1979-80 | John Wagner |
| 1980-81 | John Donley |
| 1981-82 | Douglas Kelly |
| 1982-83 | David Wilson |
| 1983-84 | Ed Teter |
| 1984-85 | James Shell |
| 1985-86 | Kevin S. Nelson |
| 1986-87 | James Gartner |
| 1987-88 | Robert Rittenhouse |
| 1988-89 | Ed Kaufman |
| 1989-90 | Robert Murphy |
| 1990-91 | Ivan K. Burneth Sr. |
| 1991-92 | Robert T. Hulme Jr. |
| 1992-93 | Harold Kenney |
| 1993-94 | James R. Stein |
| 1994-95 | Jeffrey Borodkin |
| 1995-96 | Elmer Paine |
| 1996-98 | Thomas Lundberg |
| 1998-2000 | James R. Stein |
| 2000-01 | Sue Spinks |
| 2001-02 | Gerald B. Gosnell |
| 2002-04 | Robert Himmelright |
| 2004-05 | Charles Garn |
| 2005-06 | David Loyd |
| 2006-07 | Jeffrey Ennis |
| 2007-08 | Kenneth Maher |
| 2008-09 | Herbert Jacobsen |
| 2009-14 | Sam Moats |
| 2014-15 | Nancy Null |
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