The Verona Lions

Browse around to find out more about the Verona Lions.

In 1949, the Kingston Lions Club asked a group of Verona men to form a Lions Club. “I didn’t have a clue what we were getting into” said charter member Ben Lappen. “It seemed like a good cause, though.”

The club’s first big project was to team up with the Women’s Institute to buy the Verona School House for $1000.00. It served as a meeting hall for many community organizations, including the Lions Club, until the new Lions Hall was built in 1969. The new hall was the pride of the club. Local trades and craftsmen volunteered their labour for every special detail, but the joy lasted only a few short days. Fire destroyed the original building before it was ever used, and the building we use today was built on the ashes of that first hall. In the mid ‘50’s, the club created the “swimming hole” on Rock Lake and maintained it for over 30 years. In the ‘60’s the club bought the ball park and in 1965 installed its lights and bleachers. In 1974 the club bought eight acres of land on Verona Sand Road and created the Verona Lions Mini Park., which was upgraded and renovated in 2003-4 with the help of local parents and a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Over the years the club has: donated $30,000 toward the North Frontenac Arena; teamed with Sharbot Lake Lions to buy the arena’s Zamboni; bought the Portland Township Emergency Vehicle; and donated tens of thousands of dollars to local individuals and groups in need.

Since 1951 the club’s major fundraiser had been the Lions Jamboree, unfortunately due to uncontrollable circumstances, 2017 became the last year for this event. The Lions continue fundraising efforts with the Annual Garlic Festival, ATV Poker run, the May long weekend Road Toll and the rental of the hall facilities. 

At the Charter Banquet in 1949, Verona Lions first President, Lorne Genge said, “I hope it will be said some day that Verona is a better place to live, work and play because of its Lions Club.” Over 60 years later we can proudly say that Lorne’s hope has been fulfilled, and we add our own hope that it will continue for many years to come.

Here’s a list of Lions supported events throughout the year.

Month

Event (s)

January

Community Breakfast, usually the second Saturday of the month. We may skip this depending on whether other local groups are hosting a breakfast this month.

February

Community Breakfast

March

Community Breakfast

April

Community Breakfast

May

Fish Fry – A sit down dinner
Road Toll – where Lions collect donations from passing motorists in Verona.

June

Kids Baseball at the Lions baseball diamond

July

Kids Baseball at the Lions baseball diamond

August

Kids Baseball at the Lions baseball diamond

September

Garlic Farmers Market
Car Show

October

Community Breakfast

November

Community Breakfast

December

Community Breakfast
Community Christmas Dinner

We donate to a wide variety of local groups in and around Verona, various regional and national organizations and to Lions International Sponsored Programs.

Many of these groups provide volunteers to our events, and this greatly helps us raise funds to return back to the community. By the end of our 2024/5 fiscal year (June 30), we expect to have donated close to a total of $50,000 to these organizations:

Camp Kennebec
Almost Home
Frontenac Flyers Hockey Club
New Leaf Link
Echo Lake Youth Ministries
U13 Frontenac Flyers Rep team
Frontenac Girls Hockey Association
Bellrock Hall
14 Island and Mink Lake Watershed Assoc.
South Frontenac Museum Society
CHILDCANCERA, ON Pediatric Oncology
South Frontenac Scouts

Homes for Deaf People
CNIB Lake Joseph Centre
Camp Kirk Foundation
Camp Dorset
Int. Assoc. of Lions Clubs
Cobourg Lions Club
Sydenham Track and Field
Trinity United Church
Free Methodist Church
Christmas for Kids
Portland Fire Fighters
Fury Girls Hockey Team

We love what we do!