Welcome to the Belchertown Lions Club Website
Members of the largest service organization in the world.
Welcome to the Belchertown Lions Club website where you will
uncover information regarding our mission--a commitment to the community unrivaled by any other service organization in the world.
Through fundraising events the Belchertown Lions Club raises money to assist the less fortunate –focusing on those with sight and
hearing disabilities. We provide for eye exams and corrective eyewear for those in need and also offer free screenings which may
reveal the early onset of hearing, blood pressure, glaucoma and optic nerve disorders through the Lions Club’s District 33-Y EyeMobile.
Additionally, the Belchertown Lions Club financially supports our local church-sponsored food banks, Boy Scout Troop 507, the Teen Center’s
“Night-after-the-Prom”, high school scholarships (BHS and Pathfinder Regional) and the annual Rag-Shag Parade where our town’s
families have enjoyed safe and secure Halloween entertainment for over 50 years!
Fund Raising Events
The Lions
Club Raises money by holding events like our Super Raffle where you buy
a raffle ticket for $100 and you could win $10,000! We give away a total
of $20,000 on the night of the drawing.
You will also find us at The Belchertown Fair every year selling sausage and meatball grinders along
with french fries and soda. We've been told that our grinders are "the
best on the common" for many years.
And this year we will hold our 1st Annual Car Show on the Belchertown Common on August 10th. Click
HERE for more information.
For a complete list of events, please check out our calendar page.
Belchertown Lions Club Welcomes Its Newest Member
At a recent installation at the Villa Rose Restaurant in Ludlow, Justin Clemons (C) receives his club membership pin from sponsor Morgan Kimball Jr.
(L) as Club Secretary Themis Tsoumas presents Justin with his official Certificate of Membership. It is with open arms and well-wishing handshakes
from members that Justin was welcomed into our very active organization—donating over $37,000 in its recent fiscal year to local, regional, and national
charities! The Belchertown Lions Club is always seeking to expand its membership, so if you are interested in becoming a part of this extremely committed
institution, simply go to our membership page to fill out the application form, print it and give it to your sponsoring Lions Club member.
Lions Club to Hold Rag Shag Halloween Party
Yay! The Belchertown Lions Club Halloween Rag Shag Parade Returns!
WHEN: Thursday, October 31st—6:30 P.M.
WHERE: Chestnut Hill Community School
The Belchertown Lions Club is happy to announce that its 71st annual Rag Shag Parade will assume its traditional format once again this year!
Costumed children along with their parents and friends will follow Belchertown Police Department cruisers and our high school marching band in a parade around
the school property and, as customary, the Belchertown Fire Department will bring up the rear with its shiny, bright fire trucks!
At the conclusion of the parade, members of the Belchertown Lions Club will hand out candy to all in attendance—indoors this year-- in the candied halls of the
CHCS for a fun and safe Halloween experience.
Many thanks to Lion Mike Loftus, the Belchertown Board of Health, and our Police and Fire Departments who all worked diligently in the planning of these safety
guidelines for this community activity! The Belchertown Lions Club Rag Shag parade began back in 1953---when even a few of our own current members
as very young children) actually partook in the sunset parade around the town common led by seven members of the high school band! Festivities were capped off with
apple bobbing and candy handouts for the kids and cider donuts for the parents in the Old Town Hall!
The Belchertown Lions Club would like to thank our townspeople for their support in its many fundraisers held throughout the year that make such memorable community endeavors possible
Lions Club Announces Officers for 2024-2025
The Belchertown Lions Club would like to introduce its new slate of officers for the 2024-25 fiscal year: (L to R) President Morgan Kimball,
1st Vice-president Josh Dufresne, 2nd Vice-president Steve Cmuchowski, and 3rd Vice-president Morgan Kimball, Jr.
Say, "Hi," to these fine young men at our upcoming town events--the Rag Shag Parade on Halloween, our Super Raffle on Nov. 22nd, our Saturday
meatball grinder sales starting up in the Spring, our 2nd Annual "Cruisin' the Common" Car Show on Aug.9th, 2025 and, of course, our food wagon at
the Belchertown Fair 2025!
Lions Club Donates to Fuel Assistance Program
Belchertown Lions Club President Morgan Kimball delivers a check for $5000 to Executive Director Jessica Langlois, Social Services Coordinator,
and Laurene Kendall for the Belchertown Council on Aging & Senior Center Social Services and Outreach Program. This donation is specifically earmarked
to assist Belchertown residents in meeting the costs of heating fuel in the coming months. Once again, the Lions Club has the townspeople to thank for
their continued support through the years of its fundraising efforts which make donations such as this even possible.
The Belchertown Lions Club is always looking for new members, so if you are interested in joining this very active organization to help with its many food
sales, car shows, and raffles held throughout the year, simply go to its website at http://www.belchertownlionsclub.com/contact.htm
…and enter your contact information. You will hear from us shortly. The Lions Club meets twice monthly at the Villa Rose Restaurant in Ludlow from
September to June.
Breakthrough T1D Receives Donation from the Belchertown Lions Club
“Cruisin’ the Common” Car Show committee members Mike Mathras, Josh Dufresne, Larry Vanasse, and Rich Greene proudly present Breakthrough T1D Community
Engagement Manager Emily LeGeyt a check for over $10,400!
Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) works tirelessly to find better treatments, preventions, and ultimately, a cure for
type 1 diabetes (T1D) and its complications through critical research.
The Breakthrough T1D organization will be conducting its Teddy Bear Clinic at Six Flags on October 6th, 9:15 AM. Here young kiddos will receive a teddy
bear which they take to various stations and learn how to take care of their bear with diabetes. This is followed by a 1.4 mile walk through the amusement
park for the attendees. The Belchertown Lions Club is being honored at this event as the major sponsor from the Western Mass. contingent for its
generous donation to the cause resulting from its “Cruisin’ the Common” Car Show held in mid-August.
This is the largest donation ever made by the club to a single charity and was made possible by the strong support of our townspeople for our club’s
first-ever car show and by the generous sponsorship of our local businesses listed below.
$500 donation: DESORCY ELECTRIC
$100 Sponsor Signs:
ALIX & SONS COMPUTER CENTER, ARCPOINT BREWING CO., BELCHERTOWN EYE CARE & SUNGLASS SHOP, BELCHERTOWN MEMORIAL POST 8428 VFW,
BELL & HUDSON INSURANCE AGENCY, C.B. WHITE LAW, PC, CORVETTE CLUB OF WESTERN MASS, DELUXE LIMOUSINE SERVICE (2 SIGNS), DEREK GARIEPY & CO.,
DEVON LANE POWER EQUIPMENT, DF PLUMBING & MECHANICAL, DON’S AUTO SERVICE, GREENE ACRES EQUESTRIAN, HAMPSHIRE TOWING, HODGEN LANDSCAPE CO.,
HOMESTEAD BOOKKEEPING, HULMES TRANSPORTATION, INTERSTATE BATTERIES, J. P. MAGGI PAINT & WALLPAPER, JOHN H. CONKEY AND SONS LOGGING, INC,
KAMINS REALTY OF AMHERST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT. KEN KOZLIK BUILDING, KIM ALLEN REALTY, LLOYD BUTLER JR. TRUCKING, MAGGI GROUP LPT REALTY, MCCARTHY’S PUB,
MICHAEL R. LACROIX ELECTRICAL, MILL VALLEY SPLICING, NAPA AUTO PARTS, PARKER’S PORTABLES, QUABBIN ANALYTICAL, QUABBIN SERVICE CENTER,
QUABBIN WELL & PUMP, ROY’S AUTO SERVICE, S.T. HULMES EXCAVATING, STATION 5 SALON, SWIFT RIVER HEATING, TABLES AT THE FARM, TALL TREE LANDSCAPING,
TILTON AUTOMOTIVE, VALLEY WELDING & EQUIPT., VILLA ROSE RESTAURANT, WESTOVER AUTO SALVAGE, WINDOW WORLD OF WESTERN MASS.
Raffle Gift Donations:
ACE STADLER ST. HARDWARE, BELCHERTOWN EYECARE & SUNGLASS SHOP, CUTS AND STYLES, GREENE ACRES EQUESTRIAN CENTER (2 GIFTS), HOMESTEAD BOOKKEEPING, INC,
LA TRATTORIA RESTAURANT, LOOKS TO KILL HAIR SALON, MIKE BEAUDRY HOME INSPECTIONS, SAPOWSKY FARMS, STOP & SHOP Belchertown (2 gifts),
SURNER HEATING CO. (2 GIFTS), SWIFT RIVER CRAFTS.
DJ Booth: Ron Larrivee/Cape & Islands Entertainment
Lions Club Donates $1,000.00 to Aaron's Race
Incoming Belchertown Lions Club President Morgan Kimball proudly delivers a check for $1000 to Heather Twining, coordinator of Aaron's Race 01007!
Many thanks to the townspeople who patronized the Lions Club's Food Wagon at this event where all of our proceeds went directly to this worthy charity
which brings awareness to the teenage suicide issue.
The Belchertown Lions Club is always seeking new members, so If you are interested in becoming a Lion, simply fill in the information on our Contact Page.
Lion Bobby Henrichon awarded a Life Membership
Shown here is Bobby Henrichon (L) receiving a Life Membership Award from fellow Lion Larry Vanasse at a recent installation meeting held at the Villa
Rose Restaurant in Ludlow. Nearly 30 years ago, Bobby’s dad sponsored these then-youngsters to become Belchertown Lions Club members! Bobby has
served his way up through the ranks from 3rd to 2nd to 1st Vice President…and then as Club President in the not-so-distant past.
Bob was often seen helping out at the Lions Club’s French Fry station at the Town Fair and running the fund-raising Turkey Shoots off Bay Road
back in the ‘90s. In addition to serving on the Club’s Board of Directors, he was always on hand to help out at the Club’s annual golf
tourney and was instrumental in bringing about memorial signage to honor our deceased members. And for those of us who like melted cheese on our
French Fries, we can thank Bobby for coming up with that addition to our Town Fair Weekend menu!
Lion Rich Walker awarded a Life Membership
Belchertown Lion Rich Walker (L) receives his Life Membership certificate from Fellow Lion Larry Vanasse in recognition of his outstanding service
over the years! For us old-timers in town, we remember Rich for heading up the Lions Club’s Sunday Turkey Shoots—one of our earliest fundraising
activities from the past! Rich also chaired our Super Raffle Committee for five years… tweaking the framework details for our club’s most successful
fund-raisers—one that is still going strong 37 years after its introduction! In addition to receiving the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow Award in
the past, we can always count on Rich working the Food Wagon at the Belchertown Fair and handing out the treats at our annual Rag Shag Parade event
in the fall! Our club thanks you, Rich, for all that you’ve done in the past to keep our club one of the strongest and most charitable in the
region!
Outgoing President Mike Pease Receives Plaque of Appreciation
Outgoing President Lion Mike Pease (L) receives a plaque of appreciation from fellow Lion John Scalia for his past year’s exemplary service in the
command position. Mike was especially active when it came to rounding up the membership to fill slots in our many fundraising endeavors throughout
the year---always making certain that we were well-staffed. Additionally, his leadership skills kept our club’s bi-weekly meetings running smoothly
and in a timely fashion---not an easy task with a group of our size handling a variety of issues at each session. You are going to be missed as
our President, Mike….so much so, we are thinking of sneaking your name back on the roster as 3rd vice-prez--to get you back in the queue for your
next term as president four years down the road!
Belchertown Lions Club Donates $1,000.00 to Relay for Life
Belchertown Lions Club and Relay For Life Thank the Belchertown Community!
Yes, folks, because of your support, the Lions Club was able to donate $1000 from its food sales on the Town Common on June 1st to Relay For Life!
Shown here is Lion Ken Kozlik (r), RFL Food Sales Coordinator making the club’s donation to out-going Lions Club President Mike Pease. Mike, with his
wife Becky—an 11-year cancer survivor-- have both been on the Relay For Life Leadership Team for the past nine years!
Without the support of our townspeople in its fundraising activities, the Belchertown Lions Club would be unable to make such donations to our local
charitable causes. We are sincerely appreciative of their continual backing in our endeavors!
Coming next to the Town Common will be Aaron’s Race and Family Fun Day on June 15th! The Lions Club food wagon will not only be preparing fresh
hamburgers, cheeseburgers, dogs, and fries…but will also be serving its monthly Meatball Grinder Special (with chips and drink for $10.)
We hope to see you here as all of our food sale proceeds from this event will go to The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide in loving memory
of Aaron Twining.
Belchertown Lions Club Donates $1,000.00 to the Belchertown Little League Program
Belchertown Lions Club Treasurer Frank Cowdrey (Center-Rear) is flanked by Coach Johnny Grossman (left) and Coach Jeff Staples as the Belchertown Lions Club presents
a check for $1000 to kick off the Belchertown Little League 2024 season! Jeff is also on the BLL's Board of Directors and is in charge of sponsorships and donations.
Each year this league plays host to over 100 of our town's youth with 11 teams ranging in skills from the Minors, Majors, Intermediates, and Seniors...with a season
that runs from early April through October!
In addition to routine annual maintenance, the Belchertown Little League will be attempting to upgrade our Mini-Fenway's field lighting to LEDs in addition to
renovating the outfield wall and building an announcer's booth behind home plate! The bid for the lighting alone is over $30,000...so any sponsorships or donations
will be greatly appreciated by the league!
Stay tuned in the coming months as the Belchertown Lions Club is currently ramping up its plans for its first "Cruisin' the Common" Car Show to be held on August 10th!
Expect to enjoy viewing many, many immaculate classic vehicles along with raffles and freshly prepared burgers, dogs, meatball grinders, and fries! More specifics
regarding the car show can be found on the club's Facebook page as well as on its website: belchertownlionsclub.com
Belchertown Lions Club Welcomes its Newest Member!
Inductee Tom Curto III (center) is flanked by his sponsor Lion Steve Connors (left) and Past District Governor Bill White
at his recent installation ceremony at the Villa Rose Restaurant.
Tom is a graduate of Belchertown High School and has been living in town since 1985. Many townsfolk will recognize Tom for
his many years of service to the youth sports programs in the community as a coach for the baseball, football, and basketball
teams. The Lions Club intends to utilize Tom's experience as a Control Specialist and Purchasing Agent to keep operations
running smoothly in the years to come!
Keep an eye out for these three smiling faces along with those of the rest of the Belchertown Lions Club at its upcoming
monthly Meatball Grinders sales beginning May 18th, The Relay For Life on June 1st, Aaron's Race on June 15th, and its
First Annual Cruisin' the Common Car Show on August 10th--all of which take place on or around our Town Common!
Belchertown Lions Club Honors Two of Its Finest (…and Oldest!)
At a recent ceremony Lions John Scalia (L) and Mike Mathras were each presented with Lifetime Memberships in recognition of their countless hours of
service to the club, its various committees, and the community… and for promoting the ideals of Lionism throughout their memberships. In the past, both
of these gentlemen have received the meritorious Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards from the Lions Club International Foundation for their humanitarian
services and the Val Zewski Fellowship Award for their dedication and commitment to the continued success of the District 33-Y Eyemobile.
On the local level, John and Mike have each served as the club’s Belchertown Fair Food Service chairpersons as well as serving on the Super Raffle,
Golf Tournament, Rag Shag Parade, Saturday Meatball Grinder Sales projects, …and the list goes on!
John is affectionately known around the club as “Mr. Spreadsheet” for his detailed and impeccable inventory of food and supply purchases and sales in
the organization's many endeavors.
Past President Mike is currently in charge of publicity and communications for the club and most recently on the development staff for bringing a Lions
Club “first” to the Belchertown Common. Coming in August of ’24, stay tuned for what promises to be a fantastic and quite enjoyable community and family
event right in the center of town!
Belchertown Lions Club Donates to Veterans Services
Belchertown Lions Club members ( L to R) Victor Robidoux, Mike Pease, and Keith Poulin present Belchertown's Veterans' Services Department agent
Charly Oliva with a check to help defray the costs of purchasing ceremonial flags for the organization at the Veterans' Day Ceremony on November 11th.
Lion Mike Pease Receives Melvin Jones Award
It was Mike Pease night at the Lions Club Installation Dinner held at the Villa Rose Restaurant in Ludlow recently as he was not only inducted as
the new Belchertown Lions Club president but was also awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow Award—the highest form of recognition that embodies
humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism. On a local level, Michael has taken on the chairmanship of our annual Lions Club
Memorial Golf Tournament for the past several years and has consistently volunteered to serve at our many fundraising functions throughout the years.
He has arranged the donation of propane gas through his affiliation with Suburban Propane of Belchertown for our Belchertown Fair Food Wagon, Aaron’s Race
Events, and our local Relay For Life fundraiser events at which our Lions Club runs our food concession and donates all proceeds to these charitable causes.
Mike, we are very fortunate to have you on board and we hope this award conveys our appreciation for all that you do for the club!
Pictured here (L to R): PDG Bill White, Melvin Jones Committee Chair Jack Hulmes, Melvin Jones Fellow recipient Mike Pease, and his wife Becky.
Three Belchertown Lions Honored at Holiday Party
The Belchertown Lions Club honored three of its members at its annual Holiday Dinner held recently at the Villa Rose Restaurant in Ludlow.
Lion Bill Sarazin received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow Award for his many years of service to the club. Bill was very active in the BLC's
earlier years working the Turkey Shoots and the Belchertown Fair Food Wagon along with being very instrumental in the formation of the annual Lions
Club Golf Tournament--all very big fundraising activities for the group. Shown here is Lion Bill (left-center) receiving his plaque from Past District
Governor Bill White, his sweetheart Linda Gay and Melvin Jones Committee Chairperson Jack Hulmes (right).
Lion Mike Loftus (left) was presented with a service award by Lion Themis Tsoumas (present club secretary) for his leadership and dedicated service as the
Club Secretary from 2007 through 2019. Thank you Mike for your many years filling this very demanding and time-consuming position for the Club.
Lion Victor Robidoux (currently the Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer for the District 33-Y Lions) received an appreciation plaque for his double term as the
BLC President. Victor was the only Lion to ever hold the President's gavel for two straight terms as he guided us through the difficult "CoViD Years!"
Thank you, Victor, for a job well done! Victor is flanked here by Lion Morgan Kimball, Sr. (left), and Club Secretary Themis Tsoumas.
Belchertown Lions and Villa Rose Receive Vietnam Veterans Award.
Brandon and Tony Tavares of The Villa Rose and Belchertown Lions Club President Bobby Henrichon receive certificates of appreciation from Paul Chrzan,
a representative for the Western Mass Viet Nam Veterans of America. Both the Villa Rose and the Belchertown Lions Club provided monetary support for
the WMVNVA 2022 fund-raising program.
Sharon Lamoureux receives the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
The Belchertown Lions Club surprised member Sharon Lamoureux by presenting her with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award at its 75th Anniversary Gala held on April 23rd
at the Ludlow Country Club. Lions Clubs International recognizes outstanding individuals by bestowing on them this award that is named for its founder, Melvin Jones.
This Fellowship Award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism. Sharon, a Belchertown Lions
Club member since 2018, has been providing her valuable assistance to the club for many, many years prior to her joining. The club membership is truly grateful and
appreciative of her service and commitment to its traditions.
Belchertown Lions Award a Life Membership to Lion Stephen Connors
The Belchertown Lions Club recently honored one of its longest-standing members, Stephen Connors, with its Life Member Certificate for his many years of dedicated service
to the organization. Shown here receiving his award from Club Secretary, Themis Tsoumas (left), Steve joined the BLC back in 1989 when he began his climb through the ranks
by working the many fund-raisers such as our turkey shoots and the Belchertown Fair Food Wagon, as well as chairing the Super Raffle Committee for 14 years! He has also
orchestrated the club’s 50th Anniversary gala and is currently organizing our 75th Anniversary celebration that has been on hold since 2020 due to CoViD concerns.
Lion Steve has held positions in all of the club’s offices including President, the Lion Board of Directors, and has previously received the distinguished Melvin Jones Award
for his tireless efforts in our club’s projects! Congratulations, Steve, for this well-deserved recognition. The Belchertown Lions Club is certainly fortunate to have
you aboard!!
Belchertown Lion George Cook Jr. Receives Life Membership Award
Belchertown Lions Club member George Cook Jr. was presented with the Life Membership Award at the Lions Club Installation meeting.
This Award is in recognition of George's many years of service to the Lions Club and to the Belchertown Community. Thank you George
for your dedication and commitment to Lionism.
Gary Charpentier Receives Lifetime Membership Award
The Belchertown Lions Club respectfully presented Gary Charpentier (left) with its Lifetime Membership Award in appreciation for his many years of dedicated
service to the club and the community. Gary has been active in all aspects of Lions' activities from holding office to fund-raising to even the "dirty work"
of the food wagon clean-up after the Belchertown Fair. Current King Lion Hank Lamoureux (right) joins the entire club in its gratitude for Lion Charpentier's
involvement.
Ken Kozlik receives Melvin Jones Fellow Award
The Belchertown Lions Club recently honored Lion Ken Kozlik with its prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow award.
This award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism.
Lion Ken's high standards that he sets for himself in life are greatly appreciated as they are noticeably carried over into all of his
Club duties and involvements.
PDG Bill White Receives Progressive Melvin Jones Award
The Belchertown Lions Club proudly presented Past District Governor, Bill White, with the Progressive Melvin Jones Award for his many years of meritorious service
to the Lions Club International Foundation at their recent holiday banquet held at the Villa Rose Restaurant. Lion Steve Barrett is shown here affixing the commemorative
pin to Lion Bill's lapel."
Welcome to the Belchertown Lions Club website where you will
uncover information regarding our mission--a commitment to the community unrivaled by any other service organization in the world.
