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.

Carolyn Drew named 2025 "Citizen of the Year"

The Dell Rapids Citizen of the Year (COTY) award committee is pleased to announce it has chosen Carolyn Drew as 2025 Citizen of the Year. Drew was nominated by Sandra Lamer and Virgil Klein, who cited her leadership and dedication to numerous community service organizations.

"Carolyn leads by example," wrote Lamer. "She mentors others along the way, and is able to see and share hope, even on cloudy days."

Both Lamer and Klein cited Drew's dedication to The Storehouse food pantry — purchasing needed supplies, stocking shelves, overseeing volunteers, and greeting the guests who use this vital community resource. "For many years, Carolyn has been a driving force behind this ministry," wrote Klein. "And it's often not the most glamorous of leadership positions."

In addition to The Storehouse, it was noted that Drew volunteers for numerous other service groups, including Church on the Street, Laundry with Love, Dell Rapids Lions Club, Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, and the Dell Rapids Community Recreation Committee.

"Carolyn's focus on helping others, her understanding and empathetic energy, and her outgoing personality are inherent in everything she does," wrote Lamer.

"This is the third year for the COTY award," said committee member Sue Hovey. "There are so many worthy nominations, and the final decision is never fast and easy. Carolyn's nominations stood out because of her involvement in multiple avenues of community service."

Dell Rapids Mayor Marsha Symens will present a certificate to Drew at 7 p.m., Monday, June 16, at City Hall, proclaiming June 28th "Carolyn Drew Day" in Dell Rapids.

Drew will be honored at several events during Quarry Days, June 27-29:
— Toss out the first pitch at "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," 8 p.m., Friday, June 27, Rickeman Field
— Parade Marshall, 10 a.m., Saturday, June 28
— Introduction at the street dance 9 p.m., Saturday, June 28, Main Street
— Award presentation 6 p.m., Sunday, June 29, City Park Band Shell

In addition, Drew will light the City's Christmas tree lights ahead of the "Christmas in the Dells" parade on Main Street Saturday, Dec. 6th.

Behind this award
In late 2022, the Dell Rapids Lions Club established the Citizen of the Year award. The club, active in the community since 1944, adheres to the motto of Lions Clubs International: WE SERVE. Members wanted to honor local citizens "who serve the community, contribute to social progress and the creation of happiness, and are an inspiration to others." The Club was soon joined in this effort by the Chamber of Commerce, and the first award recipient, Norene Frederickson, was chosen in 2023, followed by Casey McCoy in 2024.

COTY committee members choose a "hometown hero" from nominations received from the public. They look for someone who is generous with their time and talents in helping others; those special people who pitch in, often behind the scenes, to lend help to someone in need or to a project that benefits the whole community. They look at nominees who help the community through their volunteer efforts and personal involvement. A nominee's leadership abilities, significant achievements, community activities, greatest strengths, and special qualities are also considered.

2025 COTY Committee:
Amber Larson and Doug Nohava representing the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce; Sue Hovey and Tom Schwebach, representing the Dell Rapids Lions Club; Fran Ruesink, representing the Dell Rapids City Council; Riley Park and Brittany Moeller, members at large.

Community benefits from Lions Club service

The Dell Rapids Lions Club's spring pancake breakfast provided financial support to three local non-profits. Net proceeds from the event were split evenly, $500 to each: Storehouse Food Bank, Dell Rapids Senior Citizen Center, and Dell Rapids Museum.

Since June 2024, Dell Rapids Lions Club members have used KidSight equipment from the South Dakota Lions Foundation to check the vision of 1,115 children. This was accomplished by 18 Lions who spent a total of 81 hours at several events.

Lions will provide free vision screening to children ages 6 months to 18 years during Quarry Days, June 28-29. The KidSight van will be on site in the City Park, offering screenings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This photographic process takes just a minute or two.

Lions will also provide trash cleanup in the park during Quarry Days.


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 Carolyn Drew named 2025 "Citizen of the Year" The Dell Rapids Citizen of the Year (COTY) award committee is pleased to announce it has chosen Carolyn Drew as 2025 Citizen of the Year. Drew was nominated by Sandra Lamer and Virgil Klein, who cited her leadership and dedication to numerous community service organizations. "Carolyn leads by example," wrote Lamer. "She mentors others along the way, and is able to see and share hope, even on cloudy days." Both Lamer and Klein cited Drew's dedication to The Storehouse food pantry — purchasing needed supplies, stocking shelves, overseeing volunteers, and greeting the guests who use this vital community resource. "For many years, Carolyn has been a driving force behind this ministry," wrote Klein. "And it's often not the most glamorous of leadership positions." In addition to The Storehouse, it was noted that Drew volunteers for numerous other service groups, including Church on the Street, Laundry with Love, Dell Rapids Lions Club, Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids, and the Dell Rapids Community Recreation Committee. "Carolyn's focus on helping others, her understanding and empathetic energy, and her outgoing personality are inherent in everything she does," wrote Lamer. "This is the third year for the COTY award," said committee member Sue Hovey. "There are so many worthy nominations, and the final decision is never fast and easy. Carolyn's nominations stood out because of her involvement in multiple avenues of community service." Dell Rapids Mayor Marsha Symens will present a certificate to Drew at 7 p.m., Monday, June 16, at City Hall, proclaiming June 28th "Carolyn Drew Day" in Dell Rapids. Drew will be honored at several events during Quarry Days, June 27-29: — Toss out the first pitch at "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," 8 p.m., Friday, June 27, Rickeman Field — Parade Marshall, 10 a.m., Saturday, June 28 — Introduction at the street dance 9 p.m., Saturday, June 28, Main Street — Award presentation 6 p.m., Sunday, June 29, City Park Band Shell In addition, Drew will light the City's Christmas tree lights ahead of the "Christmas in the Dells" parade on Main Street Saturday, Dec. 6th. Behind this award In late 2022, the Dell Rapids Lions Club established the Citizen of the Year award. The club, active in the community since 1944, adheres to the motto of Lions Clubs International: WE SERVE. Members wanted to honor local citizens "who serve the community, contribute to social progress and the creation of happiness, and are an inspiration to others." The Club was soon joined in this effort by the Chamber of Commerce, and the first award recipient, Norene Frederickson, was chosen in 2023, followed by Casey McCoy in 2024. COTY committee members choose a "hometown hero" from nominations received from the public. They look for someone who is generous with their time and talents in helping others; those special people who pitch in, often behind the scenes, to lend help to someone in need or to a project that benefits the whole community. They look at nominees who help the community through their volunteer efforts and personal involvement. A nominee's leadership abilities, significant achievements, community activities, greatest strengths, and special qualities are also considered. 2025 COTY Committee: Amber Larson and Doug Nohava representing the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce; Sue Hovey and Tom Schwebach, representing the Dell Rapids Lions Club; Fran Ruesink, representing the Dell Rapids City Council; Riley Park and Brittany Moeller, members at large. Community benefits from Lions Club service The Dell Rapids Lions Club's spring pancake breakfast provided financial support to three local non-profits. Net proceeds from the event were split evenly, $500 to each: Storehouse Food Bank, Dell Rapids Senior Citizen Center, and Dell Rapids Museum. Since June 2024, Dell Rapids Lions Club members have used KidSight equipment from the South Dakota Lions Foundation to check the vision of 1,115 children. This was accomplished by 18 Lions who spent a total of 81 hours at several events. Lions will provide free vision screening to children ages 6 months to 18 years during Quarry Days, June 28-29. The KidSight van will be on site in the City Park, offering screenings from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This photographic process takes just a minute or two. Lions will also provide trash cleanup in the park during Quarry Days.	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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