Newfield Lions: the club that continually gives back

In Newfield, the Lions Club has been a pillar of support for over five decades. This civic-minded organization is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of residents through a range of philanthropic efforts. This club is known for its unwavering commitment to the community and its admirable mission to make a positive impact. As Newfield Lions Club President Linda Rumsey-Ebert said, “It’s just to be able to give back to the community. That’s the whole thing.”

The Newfield Lions Club, founded in 1971, has a rich history of community service. The club was originally an all-male organization, but with time, it merged with the Lioness Club, which was exclusively composed of female members. Now, according to Rumsey-Ebert, the club has approximately 22 active members.

Rumsey-Ebert has been a dedicated member of the club for 43 years. Over the years, the Lions Club has adapted its membership requirements, becoming more flexible and welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds and age groups. Rumsey-Ebert said that in the past, stringent attendance requirements were enforced, but now, members are encouraged to attend meetings whenever possible. 

“If they can come to all the meetings, wonderful; if they can’t, that’s okay,” Rumsey-Ebert said. “If they can help out at one function and not another, that’s okay.”

The Newfield Lions Club is proud of its commitment to community service, focusing on fundraising and outreach activities that benefit its residents. In the past, they have organized three major dinners each year to raise funds. More recently, they reduced this to two annual dinners.

Rumsey-Ebert emphasized the club’s motto — “We serve,” — as encapsulating its overarching philosophy. At the end of the year, the club donates the funds they have raised to support causes related to hearing, vision and diabetes. 

One of the most critical initiatives of the Newfield Lions Club is eye screenings at local schools. These screenings help identify vision abnormalities early in children and ensure they receive necessary medical attention. The club recently hosted a screening on Oct. 25.

“They only did 40 kids today — that’s all that signed up for it — but they referred five,” Rumsey-Ebert said. “Which means there’s probably something going on with their eyes.”

The club’s outreach extends to numerous community activities, including supporting community members affected by a fire, offering scholarships to students and arranging events that unite the community. The Newfield Lions Club sees its primary mission as working “for the community,” and members fulfill this pledge through their myriad activities and endeavors.

On Oct. 28, the Lions Club sponsored a hayride at the Tioga State Bank parking lot. According to Rumsey-Ebert, the club has sponsored this event since 2015, with a few years missed due to COVID-19 or the weather. 

“It’s just something free for the people; it’s for the community,” Rumsey-Ebert said. “It’s kind of a nice get-together.”

The event was marked by tractor-wagon hayrides winding their way through the village, offering an opportunity for locals to bond, share conversations and create lasting memories. There were gourds kids who attended could color with markers. Everyone in the Newfield community was invited to join in the festivities. The event symbolized the club’s commitment to strengthening community bonds and fostering a spirit of togetherness.

The Newfield Lions Club has remained an active and engaged presence in the community, always open to new members and fresh ideas for fundraising and community service. The group meets twice a month to coordinate its efforts and plan upcoming events.

“Any money that we raise, unless we say it’s for administrative purposes, goes to the community — and that’s the majority of the money,” Rumsey-Ebert said.

The Newfield Lions Club is a steadfast beacon of community spirit and service in a world often marked by fast-paced change. 

The club continues to exemplify the true spirit of community service and togetherness.