Independence Lions Club

Independence Lions Club Community Service Organization-Celebrating nearly 100 years of service to Independence and surrounding area. Founders of KiddyLand in 1961.

The Independence Lions Club was organized April 25, 1922, with 19 members. Earlier anniversary programs indicate the club was chartered with 25 members. At the time of the 50th Anniversary celebration, not one of them lived in Independence. Thurman Hill was the Charter President and the first secretary was Benjamin Berg. From its inception the club put its accent on youth by placing copies of “mor

al cod for Youth” in the public schools. Funds were raised to send the local drum and bugle corps to Washington to take part in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. Other projects included: The Junior Safety Patrol (one of the first in the state), Boy’s State, Boy and Girl Scouts, and Little League Baseball. A football banquet for High School and Junior College teams was held annually from 1923 through 1990. Scholarships were provided for deserving students and the club participated in War Loan and War Fund drives. The Kiddy Land project, a space set aside in beautiful Riverside Park for children, is the most recent addition to the club’s continuing activities. In keeping with the emphasis of Lions International, the club does it s share of sight work providing white canes, Braille equipment and ceiling projector books for public library distribution. It’s most recent activity was participation in “candy Day” to help the state organization, through the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation, furnish equipment for eye research, care and treatment in the K.U. Medical Center in Kansas City. Individually the members have served their community in many ways as opportunity and need was manifest. It has given seven of its members as District Governors, and has had members in numerous other capacities in state and district offices and committees.

06/21/2026
The Independence Lions Club continues to extend its community outreach. At the Biking Across Kansas stopover in Independ...
06/20/2026

The Independence Lions Club continues to extend its community outreach. At the Biking Across Kansas stopover in Independence on June 11, the club provided watermelon to more than 430 riders. The bicyclists said the refreshing, cool watermelon was among the best treats on statewide bicycle journey. Assisting with the watermelon distribution when this photograph was taken were club members Ron Hale, Warren Tharp and Jim Duke.

The Independence Lions Club is always mindful in its quest to assist the youth of the community. Among the many ways we ...
06/20/2026

The Independence Lions Club is always mindful in its quest to assist the youth of the community. Among the many ways we help our youth is provide a scholarship to an Independence High School senior. This year's scholarship recipient was Madyson Reister-Leary, who came to a recent club meeting to accept her scholarship from President Katie Southworth.

It's always a treat to have Queen Neelah visit the Independence Lions Club. That was the case on May 19 when Madelin Bes...
05/28/2026

It's always a treat to have Queen Neelah visit the Independence Lions Club. That was the case on May 19 when Madelin Beshear, Queen Neelah the 84th, spoke to the Independence Lions Club. Beshear, daughter of Andy and Elissa Beshear, will attend Kansas State University with plans to major in horticulture and business. Her goal is to return to her hometown of Independence and own a flower shop. This week, she will represent Independence High School at the class 4A state track and field championships.

The Independence Lions Club is proud to have contributed to this project! Come to Kiddy Land to see the exciting Story W...
04/25/2026

The Independence Lions Club is proud to have contributed to this project! Come to Kiddy Land to see the exciting Story Walk.

Need a reason to join the Independence Lions Club? This picture tells the story! Our continued work and upkeep of Rivers...
04/24/2026

Need a reason to join the Independence Lions Club? This picture tells the story! Our continued work and upkeep of Riverside Park's Kiddy Land area are enjoyed the thousands of kids each year. In the months of April and May, Kiddy Land is abuzz, as local schools use Riverside Park as a field trip destination. To join, send us an inquiry via PM.

The Independence Lions Club had a great time making more than 200 hot dogs for the "Baseball, Apple Pie and Hot Dogs" ba...
04/22/2026

The Independence Lions Club had a great time making more than 200 hot dogs for the "Baseball, Apple Pie and Hot Dogs" baseball event at the new Crossland Field at the Central Park Sports Complex.

The hot dogs were a big hit!

Let's do it again sometime.

By the way, the Central Park Sports Complex is a fantastic addition to Independence. We're blessed to be amidst the mix of a great community.

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Independence, KS

Telephone

+16204854284

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