Roaring back into service

The Coeur d'Alene Lions Club has come roaring back once again.

The club's charter kicked in last month, and the nonprofit will hold a charter night celebration with the installation of officers on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 Appleway Ave.

"This will be the club's third comeback," said Brian "Kiwi" Kirk, Guiding Lion to the club and a Post Falls Lions member. "Years ago, Coeur d'Alene had the largest Lions Club in North Idaho. A city as big as Coeur d'Alene should be able to handle a club."

Kirk said "personality clashes" caused the club to fizzle a few years ago, but 23 members, including a mix of young couples and experienced club members, have given it a new beginning.

"The beauty of this club is it's female, male, young and old," Kirk said. "There is a real blend and it's family-oriented."

But Kirk said the club would like to ideally have about 50 members in its first year, especially with varying work schedules and other commitments.

"Twenty-three is not enough," he said. "You need more to keep projects going."

Those interested in the club are invited to the charter celebration. The cost is $15 per person, which includes hors d'oeuvres.

"People have three months to become charter members, so that can be a special time to join," Kirk said.

The club meets on the first and third Monday of each month from 6-7 p.m. at the Lake City Center, 1916 Lakewood Drive.

The club has built a playhouse as a fundraiser and $5 raffle tickets will be for sale at area grocery stores. It will also hold a barbecue fund-raiser at a soccer tournament in Coeur d'Alene on May 10-11. The club will also assist other Lions clubs with a food booth at the North Idaho Fair.

It is tag-teaming with the Post Falls Lions Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, on the Halloween Extravaganza fundraiser for children with cancer on Oct. 25 at the Greyhound Park and Event Center. The event, which costs $35 per person or $250 for a table of eight, runs from 6 p.m. to midnight and includes a barbecue buffet, magic show, photos of people in costumes, music and dancing and a silent auction.

For more information on the club, call 964-0181.