About the Stamford Lions

Current Information

The Stamford Lions meet on the first and third Thursday of every month. Our board meets on the second Thursday of every month. Currently, our club has over 30 active members and range from their 20's into their 80's.

A Brief History

In January 1957, five community minded men: Curt Collard, his brother Bud, Bruce Malcolm, Past District Governor Al McDonald and Charlie Newman met to discuss and consider the formation of a Lions Club in the Township of Stamford.

On May 6th 1957 and under the sponsorship of the Niagara Falls Lions Club, the Stamford Lions Club received their charter with Lion Ben Prior serving as Charter President.

The meetings were held bi-monthly at the Red Casque Inn on Highway #8 until it was destroyed by fire in April of 1959. They were than held at the Stevens Hotel on Ferry Street until 1963 and than the Park Motor Hotel on Clifton Hill until we moved to our hall in June of 1974.

On July 15, 1919 a citizens meeting was called by members of the Stamford Women’s Institute to plan for a community hall. Dr. G. J. Musgrove, M.P.P. presided, and a committee was appointed to select a suitable site.

A report was made that a site could be secured for $750.00 and that a building could be erected exclusive of fixtures for approximately $9,000.00.

The ladies of the Stamford Women’s Institute took up the challenge to raise the necessary funds. The Township was canvassed for subscriptions, and some $3,000.00 was raised. Grants from the Township Council amounted to $2,750.00. The balance of the money was raised by a mortgage, and by several citizens standing good for a loan at the bank.

Mr. Alex Higgins, a local builder, was awarded the contract for construction of the hall which was of brick veneer, forty by sixty, one storey and basement.

Eleven months and seven days after the initial citizens meeting the Stamford Women’s Institute Memorial Hall was formally opened on June 22, 1920.

Since receiving their charter the Stamford Lions had been searching for a long range project that would be of benefit to the community and in the summer of 1972 purchased the Memorial Hall from the Women’s Institute for approximately $15,000.00 . An addition was constructed and on June 22, 1974 the Stamford Lions Memorial Hall was officially dedicated by Niagara Falls Mayor George Bukator.

The Club’s first fund raiser was selling jars of screws door to door. The Lions went from screws to tulips and expanded its fund raising agenda by raising $600.00 at its first ham roll. Once the hall was renovated, we ran bingos to pay off the mortgage, which was done in 1982. Over the years Stamford has put on a yearly carnival, ran a hockey league and an annual hockey tournament, sold light bulbs, delivered phone books and many other activities to raise funds for the community and beyond.

Our current fund raisers include our popular Harvest Breakfast which we have been holding for over 25 years as well as new events such as our Wild Game Dinner, Daytona 500 party and TV giveaway and Trivia Challenge. We also hold an annual elimination draw, a Pasta dinner and work bingo at the Delta Hall.

The funds raised by the Stamford Lions have been, over the years, donated to such Lions projects as Lake Joseph, camp for the blind, Camp Dorset, kidney dialysis camp, Camp Trillium, cancer camp for children and Camp Kirk for children with learning disabilities.

Local organizations receiving funding include Greater Niagara General Hospital, Boy and Girls Club of Niagara, Christmas baskets for those in need, high school bursaries and minor sports, just to name a few.

The Stamford Lions would also like to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the Stamford Lioness Club, who also celebrate fifty years in 2007. The Lioness can always be counted on to help at our functions or with hall maintenance as well as support us financially. It is with the efforts of the Stamford Lioness Club that we have been able to accomplish so much.

The Stamford Lions and Lioness have initiated many fine projects, but it is only through the support of the citizens of Niagara Falls that we are able to carry out this fine service work.

Early in 2007 we renovated the main hall and as we embark on our second half century the Stamford Lions looks forward to another fifty years of helping the community that we serve.