Community Organizations

West Long Branch Lions Club

West Long Branch Lions Club


Lions are groups of service-minded men and women who are interested in improving their communities. We are young people, families and Baby Boomers alike. To become a Lion is to become an active volunteer, a member of a respected international organization, a leader in your community and a friend to people in need.

There are many reasons to become a member. As a Lion, you'll:

  • Help your community of West Long Branch and gain valuable skills;
  • Make an impact on people's lives locally and internationally;
  • Learn to be a leader and lead a respected organization;
  • Network with business people in your community and around the world;
  • Energize your life and have fun.

The West Long Branch Lions Club was organized in January 1952 and chartered with 28 members in February 1952, with the Eatontown Club as our sponsor. Through the years, members have been active in several community organizations such as the Borough Council, Board of Education, Fire Department, First Aid Squad, Recreation and youth sports.

Fund raisers and volunteering in order to support organizations who help the blind and visually impaired include the White Cane collections, pancake breakfasts, flower sales, bus trips, and boat trips. We also participate in the annual Community Center Fair and the Oceanport Lions Fair. Activities include conducting Eye Screenings, Seeing Eye Dog demos, eye glass collections, the annual Halloween Children's costume program; and the presentation of the Social Studies Award at the Frank Antonides graduation.

The community has benefited from our many projects. We erected the gazebo, the illuminated flag pole, town memorial stones and mill stone monument from the historic Turtle Mill at Franklin Lake Park, as well as the sundial and Centennial stone bench at the Borough Hall.

Probably the greatest contribution to the community was the acquisition of the former Norwood Country Golf Course Club House and property in order to donate it to the Borough to serve as the WLB Community Center.

Two members have risen to higher positions in the state Lions organization. Past President Dominic Nannini served as Vice District Governor as well as Zone and Region Chairman. Unfortunately he passed away before he could continue on. Also the late Karl Ipsen was Secretary of Lions District 16B, having served also as a Zone and Region Chairman.

At this time the WLB Lions Club has 47 active members and is still growing. Lions International has 45,000 clubs and 1.35 million members. This makes us the world's largest service club organization. We are dedicated to supporting blind and visually impaired persons as well as other worthwhile causes. You'll grow personally and professionally as a Lion, and you'll know that what you do is worthwhile and appreciated.  

Whenever a Lions Club gets together, problems get smaller and communities get better. That's because we help where help is needed in our own communities and around the world with unmatched integrity and energy. The International Headquarters for both Lions Clubs International and the LCIF is in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.

Membership in a Lions club is by invitation. For information on the West Long Branch Lions Club contact Lion President Tom DeBruin.