About Us | hanoverpalionsclub

Current Officers, Chairpersons, and Members

Who We Are

On Friday, August 19, 1932, a new service organization was formed in Hanover, the Lions Club, with 32 members. They met at the Hotel Richard McAllister on York Street where Paul M. Garrett was elected President. Mr. Garret then passed on the gavel to Robert F. Jones to oversee the club when it received its charter on October 26, 1932.

The Hanover Lions Club has been very busy in the years since its organization. In its quest to uphold a way of life known as "Lionism", it is estimated that the club has given well over $500,000 in financial support to the community during the past 90+ years. More importantly during this time, a "million dollar' contribution has been made through countless volunteer hours of service to help make Hanover a great place to live.

"We are good people doing good work"

What We Have Accomplished For

The Greater Hanover Community

Provided assistance to numerous members of the Hanover community with visual and physical challenges
Funded the installation of the jet fountain and a water fountain at Wirt Park (1957)
Supported the Hanover Hospital with several key improvement projects to enhance pediatric services to local children (1960s)
Provided the original outdoor chapel at the local Boy Scout District's Camp Conewago(1960)
Provided annual financial support toward transporting children participating in the Hanover Red Cross "Learn To Swim" program (1970s & 80s)
Contributed with 35 other regional Lions Clubs to purchase a Slit-Lamp (bio-microscope) for examining and diagnosing eye problems for the Hanover General Hospital (1971)
Sponsored the formation of an new Lions club in eastern Adams County called the "Conewago Lions" (McSherrystown, Brushtown, Conewago Twp, and Mt. Pleasant area (1977)
Collaborated with Hanover Red Cross to sponsor a Christmas Lights display driving tour for local disabled, shut-ins, and nursing home residents (1977)
Contributed two shuffleboard courts and four horseshoe pits for the planned W. Hanover Street Playground (1979)
Purchased audible chirpers that were installed in the crosswalks at the Hanover Square to assist those with vision impairments to safely cross the streets (1984)
Provided major contribution to Hanover's New Hope Ministries' Food Pantry for purchasing a refrigeration/freezer unit for long-term food storage (2018)
Coordinated a project for replacement of the Chestnut Street Market House Sign (2019)
Purchased a tonometer for a 21 month old child of a local family needing the device to monitor eye pressure to assist with proper treatment of the child's congenital glaucoma (2022)
Provide a major contribution to the "Christmas In Hanover" program to assist with the upgrading of decorations and provide support for a facility to store these decorations from year to year (2022)
Assisted with five other clubs in planting 632 sapling trees in the Abbottstown Park

What We Currently Do

Help the blind and visually disabled specifically supporting blind campers attending camp at Beacon Lodge for fun and enjoyment
Provide vision screening services for kindergarten registrants within the Hanover Public and South Western School Districts
Support the The Leader Dogs For The Blind program that trains dogs to assist the blind
Support youth in the Hanover area through education scholarship programs, SW Middle School Colt Vision Program, and the Children's Library Program
Support the Trinity Toy Workshop by providing toys and board games for local children at Christmas
Decorate the Hanover Square with lights, assist with Santa's Sleigh display, hand out candy to children attending the Christmas Parade when Santa arrives to town and assisting visitors who come to see Santa
Support the efforts of the Sweet Grace Ministries organization in providing grief baskets and comfort bags to the maternity ward at UPMC Hanover Hospital.
Support local efforts to fight Juvenile Diabetes, cancer(Relay-For Life), and hunger (Feed-A-Friend Program) (New Hope Ministries Food Drive) (Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing)
Assist the local Gettysburg Rocks program that raises funds for the Four Diamonds mission supporting pediatric cancer patients and families at the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey
Assist the Friends of Codorus' project to clean up litter throughout the local state park walking trails and roadways
Provide assistance with scanning entry passes at the York Fair
Support hands-on specialized therapies and programs for youth attending Hoffman Homes For Youth Residential Treatment Program
Through our ongoing fundraising projects during the year, we are able to financially support two organizations who provide valuable daily living services to local military veterans and their families: Roots For Boots & For the Love Of A Veteran
Feb & Mar 2023 - completed a new service project collecting empty prescription bottles that will be sent to poor, developing countries to assist with their medication distribution. This will be an annual service project for the club.
Collect used glasses and hearing aids to be used by many people that cannot afford to purchase new glasses, especially people in Third World countries. Collection containers for glasses and hearing aids can be found at the following Hanover area locations:
North Hanover Walmart Optical
Hanover Optometric Associates
Hanover Market House - Chestnut Street
Pearlvision - Clearview Center
May Eye Care Center-Hillside
Darrell Sipe Optician
Famous Hot Weiner North - Dart Drive
Hemler Family Eye Care - Elm Avene
Visionworks - Wilson Drive Outlets
Home Assoc. McSherrystown
Penn Twp Recycling Center
Guthrie Memorial Library