GALION — After a multi-year absence, plans are currently in the works to bring a Lions Club International back to Galion.

Tim Kershner, the Lions Club District Membership Coordinator based in Ashland, Ohio, is leading the charge.

Galion is part of a district that includes 10 counties in North Central Ohio. The district is currently home to 55 Lions Club with 1800 members.

In his role, Kershner is working hard to help the numbers increase within the area.

“We are looking to put clubs in areas where there is a need,” said Kershner, who recently completed work establishing a Lions Club in the Mansfield area.

Lions Club International is more than 100 years old. In their beginning years, the organization once was a mens only club, but over time has grown to include women in its membership. Women were first brought into the organization by way of the Lioness branch of the club beginning in 1975. That was later dissolved once it was determined that men and women working together proved to be a stronger ideal.

“Everyone has the ability to help,” said Kershner.

In 2019, the club now boasts over 1.4 million members worldwide.

Kershner is holding local meetings weekly at Fox Winery on Harding Way East. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday. He said he meetings will continue weekly until the club in chartered. After that, a more permanent location for the club will be sought.

In order for a Lions Club to be chartered, 20 members are needed. In just a couple weeks time, four members have joined.

“We want to get going and get to work in the community,” said Kershner.

Lions Club International has three major focuses on the global scale: Diabetes, Sight and Hearing, and Disaster Relief. Locally, clubs can choose to help in their communities in whatever way they see fit.

Kershner is positive for the future of the club as it resurfaces in the Galion community.

“We are trying to find people who have a heart for service,” he said. “I know we will meet our goal and get Galion back on the Lions club track.”