Francis Scott Key Lions Club

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Francis Scott Key Lions Club

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The Francis Scott Key Lions Club was chartered in Frederick on November 21, 1959, with 26 members. Currently the FSK Lions meet at Mexicali Cantina at 467 W.

Mission Statement
To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation. The man who took the initiative to form the club was Charles Magaha, commander of the Frederick Barrack of the Maryland State Police. He was a member of the Frederick Lions Club which had luncheon meetings at mid-day which he, along with some other members, found inconvenient. They decided to form a separate Lions Club which would meet in the evenings and named it Francis Scott Key. Of the 26 charter members, John Zufall was the last surviving active member when he passed away in 1990. The first meeting place for the newly-formed club was the Chatta-Box Restaurant on West Patrick Street. After six years, the next meeting place, until 1978, was Betty's Restaurant on East Street; the club then moved the site for its meetings to Watson's Restaurant on West Patrick Street. Patrick Street in Frederick, MD. Over the years, the Francis Scott Key Lions Club has used a variety of sales drives and entertainment programs to raise funds for the financial support to a number of charitable organizations and activities in the area, including the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and the Maryland Eye Bank. The first one was a drive to sell light bulbs, which, as senior members will recall, produced more headaches than light . . . or profits. Among the interesting and sometimes profitable programs that followed were a Western Show with Grand Ole Opry entertainers (including Minnie Pearl), the Clyde Beatty-Coles Brothers Circus, Demolition derbies, and majorette competitions. The most financially successful program was probably the one in the mid-eighties which involved putting on shows for school children; this generated enough profit for the club to establish a substantial financial reserve which still exists today. The average amount of money raised in our fundraisers has reached consistently high levels in recent years. The largest number of members in our club was achieved in 1973 when it reached 54. Over the years, the club has received commendations for the substantial contributions it has made to the International Lions Club Vision Programs through its energetic and conscientious participation in Candy Day, White Cane, and Leader Dog programs. it is also worth mentioning that every year for many years, at Christmas time, our members have rung the bells for the Salvation Army to help them raise funds for their charitable works. We look forward to continued success in increasing our membership and steadily expanding the scale of assistance we can provide to people in need. After all, that is the essence of the Lions motto: We serve.

10/26/2026

The Francis Scott Key Lions Club would like to sincerely thank the Frederick dog-loving community for coming out on Saturday, Oct. 24 for our 7th annual Canines on the Creek event.

To say this was our most successful would be an understatement! We packed the amphitheater with spectators and hosted over 100 doggies and their parents at our annual costume contest and parade around beautiful Carroll Creek on a picture-perfect fall day in Frederick.

With your help, we raised thousands of dollars for Leader Dogs for the Blind, a favorite Lions charity, and had a great time doing it.

We'd also like to thank our 2026 sponsors, exhibitors, media partners, prize providers, judges, speakers, district Lions leaders, Downtown Frederick Partnership, Megan Purtell Photography, Frederick City Rec Department, Libertytown/Unionville Lions Club, Key 103 and Good Morning Frederick for helping to make our 2026 event our biggest and best ever!

Over 100 dogs and doggie-parents, 66 vendors, and 500 or so spectators enjoyed our event on a spectacular fall day in Frederick.

Please save the date for our 8th annual Canines on the Creek in 2027 — Saturday, October 23, 2027.

Here is a break down of the 2026 winners:

Best owner / dog themed costume

1st: Adrienne Edgell and Poppy.
Theme: Winnie the Pooh and Tigger

2nd: Richard and Melanie Brogden and Messi.
Theme: Donkey with Shrek and Princess

3rd: Fred and Michelle Kim and Frankie and Nala.
Theme: Oscar the Grouch and Miss Piggy

Best small-breed costume

1st: Alex Flannelly and Mel. Costume: In the Garden Flower

2nd: Cyndi Vera-Collins and Sookie. Costume: Fur-tune Teller

3rd: Thomas Frances and Gibson and Jersey. Costume: Space Cadets

Best medium-breed costume

1st: Cat Silberman and Rex. Costume: Star Wars

2nd: John Lawton and Captain. Costume: Pirate

3rd: Stephanie Young and Pax. Costume: Steampunk Handsome

Best large-breed costume

1st: Eva Gordon and Nash. Costume: Cyndi Lou Who and the Grinch

2nd: Joy Spies and Trevor and Raven. Costume: The Minions

3rd: Kevin Keyser and Georgia Triantis and River and Brandy Fine Girl. Costume: Bride and Groom

Here are a few pictures from the event to tied us over.

The entire catalog will be coming soon from our fine, official photographer, Megan Purtell, and can be found at www.fsklions.org/canines

10/13/2026

FSK Lions Club would like to thank their sponsors and exhibitors who make Canines on the Creek possible! If you're coming to Carroll Creek on Sat., Oct. 24 for this fun, family event, you'll find all these doggie-related businesses together in one place ready to help you. There'll be many, many giveaways and trick or treating for the kids.

Beast Eats, BlockHead Barkery, Brew and Bark, Buckeystown Vet Hospital, Camp Bow Wow, Care Vet Center, Catoctin Kennel Club, CHAAMP Malamute Rescue, Confetti Dogs, Creekside Canine Training, Crowley’s Canine Academy, DG Paws & Swag, Dream Catcher Design, Edward Jones, Fluent Dog Training, Frederick Foot and Ankle, Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter, Frederick Veterinary Center, Good Sport Dog Training, Go Team Therapy Dogs, Greenbriar Vet Hospital & Pet Resort, Hair’n’Dippity Pet Salon, Hotworx Yoga, Jefferson Veterinary Hospital, Kline’s Dog Walking, Linganore Veterinary Clinic, Logic Ops, Love Paws Rescue, Maryland Insurance Administration, Megan Purtell Photography, Metropolitan Animal Emergency and Specialty Center, Metropolitan Baltimore Doberman Pinscher Club, The Neutral Dog, Partner Vet Emergency and Specialty Center, Pet and Home Care, Real Clean Solutions, Samson Properties, Scoopers Dog Waste Removal, The Soda Social, Texas Roadhouse, Woofies of Frederick and Woofin’ It Dog Walking Services.

https://www.fsklions.org/canines/

10/06/2026

That chill in the air can only mean one thing. It's time to create your doggie Halloween costume contest for Canines on the Creek, Oct. 24, 12 - 5 pm on Carroll Creek. Registration is now open.

Only a $25 donation per dog to put smiles on faces, compete for great prizes and place guide dogs with blind individuals. You see, because this event is brought to you by the Lions, proceeds go to Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Over 60 exhibitors, music, food, prizes, trick or treat candy for the kids (and snacks for the doggies), demos and a free tutorial on pet insurance.

Register at https://www.fsklions.org/canines/

10/05/2026

FSK Lions, aided by Fusion Lions Barbara Myers and Liz Long, were pleased to prepare and serve dinner to 73 clients at Frederick's Community Table on 10/4/26. We provided a delicious lasagna dinner complete with salad, roll, fruit and desert. We all had a wonderful time.

08/27/2026

FSK Lions enjoy their annual picnic at Staley Park in Frederick on August 25, 2026. We are grateful Immediate Past District Governor Martin Bonura attended and gave out several awards to Lions for a job well done.

08/27/2026

The calendar just turned to September and that can only mean one thing -- time to plan your doggy Halloween costume for Canines on the Creek! https://www.fsklions.org/canines/

Registration is now open! https://www.fsklions.org/docs/FSKLions-Canines-2026-Participant-Flyer-Registration.pdf

The Lions are hard at work on their labor of love and we want you there! Tell all your friends. There are oodles of exhibitors and prizes to be won.

08/27/2026

Canines on the Creek is looking for exhibitors and sponsors!

Doggy related businesses: would you like to get your product or service in front of hundreds of happy doggy parents in a relaxed, fun environment? Then Canines on the Creek is for you! Exhibitor and sponsor registration is now open at https://www.fsklions.org/canines/

08/25/2026

Lions take care of customers at their annual yard sale fundraiser on 8/22/26. It was a great opportunity to interact with the community and make lots of money to fold back into the community.

08/18/2026

FSK Lions presented nearly 10,000 individual school supply items to North Frederick Elementary School on August 14, 2026, in preparation for the upcoming school year.

08/16/2026

Lions Gary Snyder, Ellen Bennett and Gary Bennett participated in Sleep in Heavenly Peace's August build a bed event on 8/15/26. 40 volunteers completed 30 bunk beds to serve 30 families in need in Frederick.

Address

Frederick Elks Lodge, 289 Willowdale Drive
Frederick, MD

Website

https://www.fsklions.org/

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