WESTFIELD – It hasn’t been in the city since the 1970’s, but the Lions Club is officially back in Westfield. The exact name of the club will be the Westfield Centennial Lions Club.
A small gathering of people got together at the Westwood Pub on Friday afternoon to join the club, have a meal, and then have the first meeting.
The cost to join the club is a one-time sign-up fee of $30 and all members also have to pay $5 a month. Veterans and active military have to pay just a one-time fee of $30.
Lions Club International has 1.4 million volunteers, 210 countries represented, and it is the largest service organization in the world.
Ron Martin, the Lead Consultant for Lions Club International, traveled from his home state of Texas along with his colleague, Ray Harper, to kick off the meeting and talk more about what the organization has to offer.
Linda Carr was also in attendance to greet the new members as she is the District Governor for all Lions Clubs in the Western Massachusetts area.
From left to right are the head members of the Westfield Centennial Lions Club. Ida Tassinari, Kyle Pierce, Roxanne Bradley, and Michael McCabe. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Martin discussed the fact that the Lions Club is all about helping those in the community that are in need. Local officials in Westfield were present, like members of the police and fire Departments. Martin said fundraising can be done for something as simple as new tools, or cameras for the police and fire departments.
As Martin noted that departments in every town and city always desperately need something but it may not be in their budget, he introduced the idea that Lions Club International does matching programs.
Giving out grants of $100,000 every year, if the Westfield Lions Club was able to raise up to that same amount during a fundraiser, Lions Club International will be able to match that.
“This club is about this community,” said Martin. “We’re the group that will step in and help our neighbors.”
Once the speaking was done and lunch was finished, Martin announced that the club’s first set of duties was to select the first President of the Westfield Lions Club. Martin noted that anyone could raise their hand and volunteer for the position.
The person that volunteered was Kyle Pierce. An assistant branch manager for People’s Bank in Westfield, Pierce is no stranger to the city that he is employed in.
While standing up to the rest of the club and introducing himself, Pierce explained that he is a resident of Westfield, and a graduate of both Westfield High School and Westfield State University.
According to Pierce, he has been trying to find a way to get involved with the town he has lived in his whole life.
“I was really looking to do something to give back,” said Pierce.
After hearing from Martin what the club is about, it was an easy decision for him to volunteer as President.
“It has a hometown feel of people that actually want to impact the community,” said Pierce.
Roxanne Bradley was then named the Secretary of the Club. Bradley is a Detective for the Westfield Police Department.
It was explained that Bradley would be responsible for filing reports on the club after all of the meetings. Martin said that the club would be required to meet at least once a month and the date and time would be up to them.
One of Bradley’s fellow colleagues, Michael McCabe, followed suit as he volunteered to be the treasurer. McCabe is the Captain of the Westfield Police Department.
As Treasurer, McCabe will be required to handle any checks that come clubs way.
Ida Tassinari, who works as a realtor for Real Living Real Estate, volunteered as the membership chair.
For Martin, he spends a lot of his time going around the country, and the world, to help new clubs get on their feet. According to Martin, with Westfield now official, this is the 14th club he has helped start since July of this year.
Traveling to every city and town is different for Martin, but he was already quick to compliment what he has seen out of the people that are now members of the Westfield Centennial Club.
“I love the fact that we have another group of people that want to help the community.”
