Our club was chartered in September of 1944 and has provided funds and volunteers in the Dell Rapids Community whenever called upon. Sight conservation has long been one of the major activities of Lionism and that has certainly been true in our community. For many years we have helped purchase eyeglasses for individuals unable to afford them. We have held free vision screening clinics as well as diabetes clinics. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in our nation.

       Lions also collect used eyeglasses at various locations in town. The glasses
are taken to the South Dakota Lions Foundation in Sioux Falls where volunteers sort and label them according to prescription. They are then turned over to V.O.S.H. — Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity —whose members travel to Mexico and other impoverished countries and fit needy citizens with these eyeglasses free of charge.

       Over the years our club has helped the community in many ways. We sponsor the Boy Scout troop and provide a CompuMed machine for the use of Dell Rapids hospital home-nursing-care patients. Several years ago we completed a beautiful new community sign—supported by native quartzite pillars—on the city's west edge. We offer an annual scholarship of $1000 to a student to be selected from DRHS, SMHS, or Baltic High School. We established "Lions Park" along the rapids of the Big Sioux River and during 1999-2000, refurbished the enclosed picnic shelter in the City Park. We also financially support Dell Rapids Community Haven (out-of-school-time program), the S.D. Lions Eye and Tissue Bank, the S.D. Lions Foundation, and the Leader Dog School for the Blind (Rochester, Michigan).

       Community support has made our aluminum can recycling collection a huge success for decades.  We also serve a pancake breakfast in the spring and a Meat Raffle two Friday's a month from Oct-April at Norby's. All profits from our fundraisers are used for charitable causes; funds for club expenses come from dues and other in-club projects.

       We meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Pizza Ranch. We  have a brief meeting followed by a program presented by a guest speaker. Meetings last one hour.

       Membership is open by invitation to any person, male or female, 18 years of age or older, who has a desire to serve our community and mankind world-wide.

Citizen of the Year for 2024 application.. Click Here. 

Dell Rapids Lions have been busy!
 
Members of the Dell Rapids Lions Club have contributed dozens of hours of community service in recent weeks.

Lions helped host the Scout's Pinewood Derby races on March 23rd by registering, weighing, and timing the numerous entries.

Using computerized KidSight equipment, Lions performed vision screenings on 106 K-6 students at St. Mary's in February, returning March 22nd to screen 22 pre-schoolers for that school's Kindergarten Round-up. Over March 7th and 8th, 98 children had the same vision screening done by Lions during Kindergarten Round-up at Dell Rapids Elementary School.
 
Lions use KidSight cameras provided by the South Dakota Lions Foundation. Each camera costs approximately $8,000 and are funded by Lions clubs across the state. It takes just a few seconds for the camera to focus on the eyes and determine if the individual's eyesight is within the normal range; if not, a report is printed out, recommending follow-up with an eye care professional.