Monroeville Lions, Rotary clubs explore partnership opportunities

The Monroeville Lions Club and Monroeville Rotary probably have more in common than some might think.

On June 5, Monroeville Rotary invited Lions member David Zimmer to their monthly town hall meeting at the library to discuss potential collaboration opportunities, such as Adopt-A-Highway.

“We’re looking for partners and other organizations like the Lions to work with and help,” Rotary President Diane Milowicki said.

Both nonprofit organizations were founded in Chicago as a way for businessmen to network and better their communities. Rotary was founded in 1905 by attorney Paul Harris, as a non-political, non-religious service organization. In 1917, the Association of Lions Clubs began when Melvin Jones invited professionals from around the country to convene – a response to growing social concerns created by WWI.

The Lions Clubs became international in 1920 when Border Cities Lions Club was established in Windsor, Canada; Rotary went international with the founding of a club in Winnipeg in 1910.

Neither establishment permitted women to join until the 1980s.

The Monroeville Lions chapter was established in 1952, only three years before Monroeville Rotary started.

Most importantly, the mission of both groups is service to their communities.

“No one’s going to say ‘no’ but it’s getting people to come out and bring it all together,” past president John Keating said.

Even just sharing each group’s activities via social media and word of mouth is helpful, he added. “It’s not going to hurt and it’s free.”

Zimmer is the chairman of the Monroeville Lions Farmers Market committee and talked about its benefits. The market is open from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday through Nov. 22, with the exception of June 14 because of the U.S. Open.

There are 28 permanent vendors this year and a wide variety of goods, including meats, bakery items, produce, cheese, flowers, jelly, barbeque, wine, honey and maple syrup.

“We only accept edible items that are grown or made locally,” Zimmer said, though he admits that the Lions break their own rule by permitting their brooms to be sold. They also allow charitable groups, including the Friends of Monroeville Public Library, to set up. Otherwise, all regular vendors are set up on a weekly or biweekly basis.

Zimmer said there is some uncertainty around the future of the farmers market’s location due to the sale of the Monroeville Mall earlier this year.

“We are in negotiations for next year, and hopefully the following year,” Zimmer said. “The Monroeville Mall will change, but how, I don’t know.”

“It’s the single most profitable fundraiser for us,” Zimmer said of the farmers market. Other funds come from their annual golf outing, broom sales, white cane (spare change) collection and seal campaign.

Through those efforts, Monroeville Lions raised more than $15,000 this past fiscal year.

“We donate all of our proceeds,” Zimmer said, adding that all administrative expenses are covered by membership dues.

The Lions donate to charities like pediatric cancer organizations American Cancer Society and Pennies from Heaven, PitCare Meals on Wheels, local food banks, disaster relief efforts and UPMC McKeesport Lions Diabetes Center in McKeesport.

The Lions also offer scholarships for Gateway and Plum seniors and donate to the Monroeville Public Library. They contributed $5,000 to the library’s new lighting in 2023.

The organization also places significance on helping the deaf and blind population.

“Helen Keller spoke at a meeting in 1927, asking [the Lions] to be a beacon for that community,” Zimmer said. “She was a big influence on the organization.”

This cause is supported through the collection and redistribution of eyeglasses and hearing aids, the PA Lions Hearing Research Foundation, raising awareness of eye disease and free vision screenings.

For more information on Monroeville Lions Farmers Market, visit monroevillelionsfarmersmarket.com.