Dell Rapids Lions Club

Our club was chartered in September of 1944 and has provided funds and volunteers in the Dell Rapids Community whenever called upon. Sight conservation has long been one of the major activities of Lionism and that has certainly been true in our community. For many years we have helped purchase eyeglasses for individuals unable to afford them. We have held free vision screening clinics as well as diabetes clinics. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in our nation.

Lions also collect used eyeglasses at various locations in town. The glasses
are taken to the South Dakota Lions Foundation in Sioux Falls where volunteers sort and label them according to prescription. They are then turned over to V.O.S.H. — Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity —whose members travel to Mexico and other impoverished countries and fit needy citizens with these eyeglasses free of charge.

Over the years our club has helped the community in many ways. We sponsor the Boy Scout troop and provide a CompuMed machine for the use of Dell Rapids hospital home-nursing-care patients. Several years ago we completed a beautiful new community sign—supported by native quartzite pillars—on the city's west edge. We offer an annual scholarship of $1000 to a student to be selected from DRHS, SMHS, or Baltic High School. We established "Lions Park" along the rapids of the Big Sioux River and during 1999-2000, refurbished the enclosed picnic shelter in the City Park. We also financially support Dell Rapids Community Haven (out-of-school-time program), the S.D. Lions Eye and Tissue Bank, the S.D. Lions Foundation, and the Leader Dog School for the Blind (Rochester, Michigan).

Community support has made our aluminum can recycling collection a huge success for decades. We also serve a pancake breakfast in the spring and a Meat Raffle two Friday's a month from Oct-April at Norby's. All profits from our fundraisers are used for charitable causes; funds for club expenses come from dues and other in-club projects.

We meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Pizza Ranch. We have a brief meeting followed by a program presented by a guest speaker. Meetings last one hour.

Membership is open by invitation to any person, male or female, 18 years of age or older, who has a desire to serve our community and mankind world-wide.

Nominations open for 3rd annual Citizen of the Year

The Dell Rapids Citizen of the Year committee has opened nominations for the 2025 award. This "hometown hero" will be recognized during Quarry Days, June 27-29.

The idea originated with the Dell Rapids Lions Club, which has been active in the community since 1944, adhering to the Lions Clubs International motto: "We Serve." The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce joined the effort "to honor citizens who serve our community, contribute to social progress and the creation of happiness, and are an inspiration for others."

Past winners are Noreen Frederickson in 2023, nominated by Carolyn Drew, and Casey McCoy in 2024, nominated by June Decker.

Who can nominate?

The Citizen of the Year (COTY) committee will choose the winner from nominations received from the public. Anyone can nominate a person or couple who you believe meets the award criteria. No nominee will be considered if they are a current member of the COTY committee.

Details matter. Please include all information that will help the committee see your nominee as worthy of the award.

Nominations will be considered from the current year and one year prior. Submissions older than one year: Nominators will be contacted and asked to update and resubmit their nomination.

Qualities to look for in a nominee

Someone who volunteers his or her time, efforts and talents to the town and its citizens to make Dell Rapids a great place to live, work, play and learn.
Someone who has made a positive difference in the lives of fellow citizens.
Someone who is dedicated to Dell Rapids and concerned for others. (They may serve with a service club, school, church, community committee, etc.)
Someone who has shown a willingness to work with other Dell Rapids residents, who is enthusiastic about the town and its citizens, and who works towards the betterment of the community.
Someone with the qualities of honesty and integrity.

Nomination forms and guidelines are available at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Public Library, at the Chamber of Commerce office in City Hall, or online from the Chamber's website: www.dellrapidschamber.com, or use the QR code printed here. Questions regarding nominations can be sent to COTY committee member Sue Hovey at susanjhovey@gmail.com.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted no later than June 2, 2025; mail to or drop off at Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Attn: COTY Committee, P.O. Box 81, 317 E. 4th St., Dell Rapids, SD 57022; or submit online at www.dellrapidschamber.com or use this QR code.


Welcome to the Dell Rapids Lion Club Our club was chartered in September of 1944 and has provided funds and volunteers in the Dell Rapids Community whenever called upon. Sight conservation has long been one of the major activities of Lionism and that has certainly been true in our community. For many years we have helped purchase eyeglasses for individuals unable to afford them. We have held free vision screening clinics as well as diabetes clinics. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in our nation. Lions also collect used eyeglasses at various locations in town. The glasses are taken to the South Dakota Lions Foundation in Sioux Falls where volunteers sort and label them according to prescription. They are then turned over to V.O.S.H. — Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity —whose members travel to Mexico and other impoverished countries and fit needy citizens with these eyeglasses free of charge. Over the years our club has helped the community in many ways. We sponsor the Boy Scout troop and provide a CompuMed machine for the use of Dell Rapids hospital home-nursing-care patients. Several years ago we completed a beautiful new community sign—supported by native quartzite pillars—on the city's west edge. We offer an annual scholarship of $1000 to a student to be selected from DRHS, SMHS, or Baltic High School. We established "Lions Park" along the rapids of the Big Sioux River and during 1999-2000, refurbished the enclosed picnic shelter in the City Park. We also financially support Dell Rapids Community Haven (out-of-school-time program), the S.D. Lions Eye and Tissue Bank, the S.D. Lions Foundation, and the Leader Dog School for the Blind (Rochester, Michigan). Community support has made our aluminum can recycling collection a huge success for decades. We also serve a pancake breakfast in the spring and a Meat Raffle two Friday's a month from Oct-April at Norby's. All profits from our fundraisers are used for charitable causes; funds for club expenses come from dues and other in-club projects. We meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Pizza Ranch. We have a brief meeting followed by a program presented by a guest speaker. Meetings last one hour. Membership is open by invitation to any person, male or female, 18 years of age or older, who has a desire to serve our community and mankind world-wide. NEWS Nominations open for 3rd annual Citizen of the Year The Dell Rapids Citizen of the Year committee has opened nominations for the 2025 award. This "hometown hero" will be recognized during Quarry Days, June 27-29. The idea originated with the Dell Rapids Lions Club, which has been active in the community since 1944, adhering to the Lions Clubs International motto: "We Serve." The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce joined the effort "to honor citizens who serve our community, contribute to social progress and the creation of happiness, and are an inspiration for others." Past winners are Noreen Frederickson in 2023, nominated by Carolyn Drew, and Casey McCoy in 2024, nominated by June Decker. Who can nominate? The Citizen of the Year (COTY) committee will choose the winner from nominations received from the public. Anyone can nominate a person or couple who you believe meets the award criteria. No nominee will be considered if they are a current member of the COTY committee. Details matter. Please include all information that will help the committee see your nominee as worthy of the award. Nominations will be considered from the current year and one year prior. Submissions older than one year: Nominators will be contacted and asked to update and resubmit their nomination. Qualities to look for in a nominee Someone who volunteers his or her time, efforts and talents to the town and its citizens to make Dell Rapids a great place to live, work, play and learn. Someone who has made a positive difference in the lives of fellow citizens. Someone who is dedicated to Dell Rapids and concerned for others. (They may serve with a service club, school, church, community committee, etc.) Someone who has shown a willingness to work with other Dell Rapids residents, who is enthusiastic about the town and its citizens, and who works towards the betterment of the community. Someone with the qualities of honesty and integrity. Nomination forms and guidelines are available at the Dell Rapids Carnegie Public Library, at the Chamber of Commerce office in City Hall, or online from the Chamber's website: www.dellrapidschamber.com, or use the QR code printed here. Questions regarding nominations can be sent to COTY committee member Sue Hovey at susanjhovey@gmail.com. Completed nomination forms must be submitted no later than June 2, 2025; mail to or drop off at Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Attn: COTY Committee, P.O. Box 81, 317 E. 4th St., Dell Rapids, SD 57022; or submit online at www.dellrapidschamber.com or use this QR code.	Home Calendar About Us Contact Projects Become a Lion Donate Photos Events Links Documents Member Bios
	Event and Meeting 1st Thurs. 6:30 pm Pizza Ranch 500 W 4th StDell Rapids, SD
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