WHEREAS, the Anchorage Lions Club was established on June 6, 1944, and is the longest serving Lions Club in the State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, in the 1950s, the Anchorage Lions Club coordinated the delivery of the first ambulance to Anchorage. The “Big Red Wagon” was delivered from Mobile, Alabama to Seattle, Washington where it was placed on a steamboat to Seward, Alaska, and then driven to Anchorage. The Ambulance was loaded with souvenirs from every city it passed through to be auctioned for additional funds; and
WHEREAS, when the 1964 earthquake devastated Afognak, the Anchorage Lions Club provided money, materials, and volunteers to participate in the construction of a new village – which was later named Port Lions to honor the Lions’ contribution; and
WHEREAS, since the early 1970s, the Anchorage Lions Club has sponsored the annual Covenant House Alaska Don Fridley Golf Tournament, which has raised more than $1 million collectively since the first tournament. Covenant House helps Anchorage homeless youth finish their education and find employment; and
WHEREAS, in addition to financial contributions to the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Anchorage Lions Club has assisted with vital vision screening for school-aged children. Their annual charity Beep Baseball Game has generated much needed awareness of organizations for the blind, and led to the formation of Alaska’s first visually-impaired baseball team, the Alaska Aurora Knights; and
WHEREAS, for 75 years the Anchorage Lions Club has provided outstanding and commendable leadership and service to the Anchorage Community, enriching Alaska as a whole. They continue to demonstrate the principles of altruism and generosity, making Alaska a great place to live.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim June 2 – June 8, 2019 as:
The Anchorage Lions Club 75th Anniversary Week
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the Anchorage Lions Club as champions of civic and community service with their exemplary contributions to our communities and congratulate them on their 75th year of service.
