“We serve” is the motto of Lion’s clubs all over the world. For the St. Joseph Lions, a part of serving is providing recreational facilities in area parks. The most notable of these is Lion’s Park Beach.

The park began as the Pumping Station beach or Waterworks Beach. It was renamed Lion’s Park Beach in the early ‘60’s to commemorate the hard work that the Lions had put into the park since the late 1920’s. In addition, Pine Street, the street leading to the beach, was renamed Lion’s Park Drive in 1968. A long time club member, John Lindenfeld, led a successful drive to rename the street.

Over the years, the Lions have added picnic tables, grills, swings, shelters and an assortment of playground equipment. Each spring these facilities are cleaned,painted and upgraded. The city provides the paint, shovels, brooms and the club members provide the labor.

Lion’s Park Beach has a quiet family atmosphere, perhaps the best sunsets in the county and the benefits of years of care provided by the men and women of St. Joseph Lion’s Club. Many of the visitors to the beach spent their youth there and return with their children and grandchildren. The club continues this project as a way of giving back to the community.

Sight Conservation

The Mergenthaler Scholarship

The Mergenthaler Scholarship was established in 1981 by Lillian Mergenthaler. Through a series of gifts, Mrs. Mergenthaler gave in excess of $125,000 to fund scholarships for residents of the St. Joseph School District.  The St. Joseph Lions Club was designated Administrator of the scholarship.

The St. Joseph Lions Club has appointed a seven-member committee, The Mergenthaler Scholarship Committee, to administer scholarship activity and the fund investments. It is a requirement that member of the committee have served as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President or President of the Club.

At least two scholarships have been awarded annually to assist students who desire to pursue a degree at an accredited college or university, or to assist students who desire to pursue a specialized program at an accredited vocational or trade school.  To date approximately, $150,000 has been distributed to scholarship winners. Even after making these awards the fund has continued to grow, allowing the club to continue scholarships for years to come.

Anyone residing within the Saint Joseph, Michigan school district at the time of the selection is eligible.  There are no limitations as to age, sex, or race.  All applicants must complete a standard application form providing certain scholastic, financial, and activities information to assist the committee in making its evaluation.

Judging criteria include such things as scholastic standing, extracurricular activities and interest, artistic, social, athletic, or vocational honors, class offices or positions held, membership in school and non-school organizations, work experience, and a statement by the applicant describing his or her goals or purpose in seeking further educational training.

Lions Club of St. Joseph Scholarship

In addition to the Mergenthaler Scholarships, the Lions Club of St. Joseph awards annual scholarships to St. Joseph students through funds raised from ongoing club fund raising.

Leader Dog Training

Lions Club of St. Joseph members support the Leader Dog program by serving as foster parents for the dogs for their first year, helping acclimate the dog to being around others in public.

Community Grants

Our club helps support numerous community groups and projects, including St. Joseph Music Programs, St. Joseph Fire Department, Lest We Forget, St. Joseph Biddy Bears Youth Basketball Program, Tiny Talkers, Southwest Michigan Young Life, Blossomtime Queens, and many others.