In early 1990 a group of 11 individuals, former members of another service club, along with 11 newly recruited men and 4 women formed a community service organization determined to affiliate with a Service Club with international reach. After discussions with two other service clubs the TRI-VALLEY LIONS were chartered on November 17, 1990 with approximately 130 representatives of Lions clubs throughout the District 14U and MD14 present. Charter Officers were: Ron Dietz, President; John Moyer, Secretary; Richard Maurer, 1st V Pres; Chet Hentz, 2nd V Pres; Don Schwalm, 3rd V Pres; Palmer Geist, Treas; Jim Maurer, Lion Tamer; Eric Huntsinger, Tail Twister; Mike Tobash, Bulletin Editor; Jeff Hentz, Membership Chair; Liz Stutzman, Ass’t Sec; Marion Bowman, Jeff Hentz, Terry Fetterolf and Sandy Shade as Directors.

PDG Bruce McHenry from the Pine Grove Lions(our sponsoring club) served as an excellent Guiding Lion. The club began meeting at Snyder’s Restaurant in Pitman later moving to the Hegins Inn and then to the current location, the Lions Den. The Lions Den was donated by the Tri-Valley Jaycees when they gave up their charter in 2000. The property next door was also donated and the house on that lot was immediately razed by Lions, working for about 3 weekends.

 With the aid of a State Grant, painting by inmates from a local state prison, the labor of Lions and the newly formed Leo Club, the first floor of the building was renovated and entire building vinyl sided as well as made handicapped accessible. Through the efforts of the spouse of one of the Lions and several artistic Lions, the building was adorned with a mural of the children’s story of the “Lion and the Mouse” in 2003.