Lion's Club Celebrates Diamond Anniversary

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Lion's Club Saturday celebrated its Diamond Anniversary Saturday with a Christmas party at Alongi's Restaurant.

President Jim Dimitroff, vice-president Frank Maxton and secretary-treasurer Bruce Summers hosted the evening.

Lions International was begun in 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones with the motto "We Serve."

The royal colors of purple and gold identify the organization with the gold symbolizing sincerity of purpose, liberty in judgment, purity in life, generosity in mind, heart and purse, toward one's fellow man.

The Du Quoin Lion's Club was organized in 1936 under the sponsorship of the Elkville Lions Club. It began with 21 members. Today, its membership is about half of that. Illinois has 12 districts with sight preservation one of its historic focuses.

The annual Lions Food Basket program feeds more that 100 families annually. Applications for this year's drive are available through Friday at the fire department and Du Quoin Farm Fresh. Baskets will be delivered on December 18 starting at noon. Anyone who would like to make a contribution can send it in care of Bruce Summers, 115 South Washington Street, Du Quoin, IL. 62832.

The long list of community service includes the purchase and erection of 152 street markers in the 1950s, helping move the city's library, Lions Ernie Reminger Field, the 1953 Centennial celebration, the Lion's carnival, installation of football field lights, Red Cross flood relief funds, selling war bonds, providing equipment to the old Marshall Browning Hospital, buying band uniforms and contributing to the purchase of acreage for the area's airport.