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

Lions have busy Quarry Days
	Nine Dell Rapids Lions volunteered their time over the Quarry Days weekend. Pictured above, in front of a S.D. Lions Foundation KidSight van, are (l-r): Carolyn Drew, Robert Wiarda, Dianne and Darrold Williams, Sue and Marlowe Hovey, and Jon Gill. (Not pictured: Crystal Gill and Norene Frederickson.)
Lion Carolyn Drew used a KidSight camera to test the vision of two young sisters. The free screenings are provided by Lions as a part of a Lions Clubs International program. Eighty-seven children, ages 18 months to 18 years, were screened over the weekend; test results indicated three should follow up with an eye care professional.
	In addition to vision screening, Lions provided trash control in the city park. Lions checked trash barrels every hour, hauling full trash bags to dumpsters provided by the city, and picking up litter from the grounds. The hot, humid weather made this a particularly uncomfortable task this year. Pictured (l-r): Lions Darrold Williams, Jon Gill, and Marlowe Hovey.
Dell Rapids Lions 2026 COTY
This marks the fourth year for the Dell Rapids Citizen of the Year award, sponsored by the Dells Lions Club. This year’s honoree is Virgil Klein (center) who was nominated by Lions Robert Wiarda and Carolyn Drew (at right.) Citizen of the Year Committee member Amber Larson (left) made the presentation during the closing Quarry Days program Sunday evening. Also pictured is Lion Sue Hovey who is leaving the COTY Committee after four years of service. Virgil was honored by the mayor and city council who proclaimed Saturday, June 27th, Virgil Klein Day in Dell Rapids. He was the Quarry Days parade marshal, and tossed out the first pitch at the “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The City of Dell Rapids and the Chamber of Commerce work with the Lions Club each year to honor a citizen who SERVES the community. Virgil was cited for sharing his time and talents with numerous community service organizations, and for helping others with their own efforts and charitable initiatives. Lion Carolyn Drew was named Citizen of the Year in 2025.