Our Club History

Club Roster
Past Presidents
Photo Album
Inspirational Thoughts
Member's Awards

The charter of the Sonic City Lions Club was issued by The International Association of Lions Clubs on March 9, 1964 and

signed by Aubrey D. Green the International President. The charter was presented to the club at the Charter Night Banquet on

April 16, 1964. The Charter Night Banquet was held at The Candlelight Inn in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Lion District Governor John Paul presented the charter to The Sonic City Lions Club Charter President William "Billy" Gibson.

Charter Officers

• President William Gibson
• Secretary Leon White
• Treasurer Andrew Cobb
• Lion Tamer Albert Sacco
• Tail Twister David Van Harlingen
• Director Bob D. Baker
• Director Joe A. McKimmey
• Director Charlie W. Teague
• Director Earl R. Johnson

Charter Members

• W. J. Gibson---------------G. E. Godwin
• A. C. Maxey----------------J. B. Herring
• C. T. Westman--------------F. Northey
• H. H. Phillips----------------D. Pettis
• L. L. White------------------C. C. Royster
• A. C. Cobb------------------A. M. Sacco
• C. W. Teague----------------J. C. Peerson
• R. D. Baker------------------W. G. Acree
• W. C. Eady------------------J. A. McKimmey
• G. Parker--------------------D. Van Harlingen

The Sonic City Lions Club has served the Playground Area through the following activities:

• Arranged and paid for Cornea transplant for local youth.
• Arranged and paid for eye surgery for local youths.
• Paid for hearing test for local youth in Tallahassee.
• Paid for emergency dental work for local youth.
• Established a permanent scholarship fund (Robert D. Baker Memorial) to OWJC.
• Provided playground equipment and other assistance to "Silver Sands" School.
• Provided Braille typing machines to the Okaloosa County School Board.
• Provided Braille typing machines to the North West Florida Visionnaires, a volunteer organization that transcribes written materials for the visually impaired.
• Assisted in providing sound booth equipment for the North West Florida Visionnaires to produce audiotapes for the visually impaired.
• Donated to "Camp Challenge" for Handicapped Children.
• Sponsorship of "Colt League" Baseball team.
• Sponsorship of "Small Fry" football team.
• Sponsorship of "Shalimar Little League All Stars" Baseball team.
• Paid for eye exams and glasses for local individuals in need.
• Donations to Florida Lions Foundation.
• Donations to North Florida Eye Bank.
• Donations to Lions International Foundation.
• Donations to North West Florida Visionnaires.
• Donations to Leader Dogs for the Blind.
• Donations to Southeast Guide Dogs.
• Donations to the Florida Lions Camp for the Multiple Handicapped.
• Donations to the Millard Conklin Center.
• Donations of Eyes to North Florida Eye Bank.
• Donations to the Salvation Army Christmas program.
• Donations of Thanksgiving Baskets to local needy families.
• Donations of Christmas Baskets to local needy families.
• Collected canned foods and transported them to hurricane victims in South Alabama and Northwest Florida.
• Assisted with annual eye screening programs for local youth.
• Donations to local Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
• Collected thousands of used eye glasses to send to Central and South America.
• Donated a computer and scanner to the North West Florida Visionnaires to transcribe text into Braille.

The Sonic City Lions Club has conducted a number of different fund raising projects over the years to generate the money needed to fund these projects. Some of the fundraisers conducted over the years include:

• Mop and Broom sales.
• Light Bulb sales
• White Cane Day traffic stops.
• Halloween Candy sales.
• Gum Ball Machines.
• Annual Horse show (4 years)
• Annual Bowling Tournament (11 years)
• Poinsettia sales.
• Tomato sales.
• Sweet potato sales.
• Washer and Dryer raffle.
• Television raffle.
• Rummage sales.
• Lions Book coupon book sales.

100% of the money collected for the various fundraisers goes to the many charitable projects. The members of the club pay for the administrative cost. Membership in the club is open to men and women of the community who are interested in serving our community. The primary focus of the club is sight conservation and work with the visually impaired. Other areas of involvement are hearing and diabetes. The club holds two meetings each month. They are on the first and third Tuesdays at 6:30pm.

If you reside in Okaloosa County Florida or are visiting in our area,
we invite you to visit one of our regular meetings and learn more in person.
We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm at Two Trees Restaurant
Off Lewis Turner Blvd at the FWB Golf Club in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Membership Roster
Past Presidents
Photo Album
Time Proven Sayings
Member's Awards
Links page

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Club Secretary