About Us:

The primary goal of Lionisn is service to the community.  Shelby Lions Club has a rich history of providing service to Cleveland County residents.

The Shelby Lions Club was organized in July, 1929.  Reading through the 80+ years of history, the club has generously given their time and talents to improve the lives of so many Cleveland County residents.  From working with underprivileged children furnishing milk and clothing to supporting the war effort (in 1945 / 46) by soliciting the sale of war bonds to "Miracle Farm Day" at Gardner-Webb (1950) where Lions took a 182 acre farm and prepared pasture land, seeded and fenced pasture, built two barns and a poultry house, rebuilt a farm house, cleared timber land and prepared it for cultivation, the Shelby Lions have delivered service to Cleveland County residents.

In 1983 / 84, Shelby Lions contracted with Cleveland County Dept of Social Services to distribute surplus government food commodities.  Still today, the Shelby Lions Club coordinates the NC Cleveland County Food Distribution quarterly.  The Food Distribution requires several Lions members and community volunteers to organize the distribution with more than 50 local agencies and churches receiving food to distribute to more than 2700 households.  Based upon surplus food allocations to Cleveland County from North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the Lions Club coordinates the distribution of approximately 100,000 pounds of food each quarter.

In addition, the Shelby Lions Club is a sponsor of Camp Dogwood through the annual sale of raffle tickets and sales of brooms.  Camp Dogwood is a recreational facility, serving the blind and visually impaired people of North Carolina. It offers blind and visually impaired persons an environment that is uniquely designed for their needs.  The Camp is located on the shores of beautiful Lake Norman and is one of the finest facilities in the world. The North Carolina Lions own, fund and maintain the camp.   It is recreational/vacation experience utilizing the waterfront on Lake Norman for boating, swimming, fishing, skiing, and tubing along with activities in arts and crafts, evening activities.