Three charter members of the Chandler Lions Club will be honored during an event on Aug. 21 to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary.

“We’re going to talk a little about Lions, and we’re going to emphasize these charter members took the first step forward for all these accomplishments the last 50 years,” club President Tom Martin said. “The district governor, John Tramp, will be here, too.”

Leonard Crawford, Lloyd Holt, and S.A. Pollard Jr. were among a group of 29 to charter the Chandler Lions Club on Nov. 10, 1960, at the Chandler School.

The others were E.E. Adams, B.C. Bass, Alton Cade, Eugene R. Cade, Jack Cade, Herman Cade, T.D. Cade, Floyd Copeland, Jack Davis, Brooks Ellis, George Ellis, Grady Ellis, Jodie S. Hamilton, E.B. Hardee, C.D. Jackson, C.L. Jones, Newman Larkin, S.B. Mallet, Sam Mays, Baxter Miller, J.F. O’Shaughnessy, the Rev. Kenneth G. Patrick, Eugene Pickett, S.A. Pollard Sr., Winston Reagan, and Jack Terrell.

Jackson was the club’s first president.

“The Chandler Lions Club, sponsored by the Athens Lions Club, was recognized and chartered as a full member of Lions Club International in the Fall of 1960, and has continuously been active since the inception,” a press release said. “Its members have an unwavering dedication to providing assistance to the Chandler community and Henderson County in numerous ways.”

Lions clubs across the world are known for fighting blindess, but they also offer programs for youth, award scholarships, and donate money to other charitable groups.

They are “organized in every country in the world, providing relief efforts for major national calamities as well as (for) local assistance for diabetes education, vision examinations and glasses for the poor.”

Lions clubs also provide youth training for leadership, camps for the disabled, assistance to the aged, and offer many other projects.

It’s about “the enthusiasm that goes into doing those things,” Martin said. “The (Chandler) Pow- Wow is great, and we assist God’s Open Hands with donations. We recycle glasses and do a kids camp. Student recognition is one of my favorites.”

The anniversary celebration is set for 6:30 to 10 p.m., at the Chandler Community Center. It will be catered by Edom Bakery & Grill.

“We’re just promoting ourselves, really,” Martin said. “East Texas Cotton Pickers is playing for entertainment.”

Reservations must be made by Saturday. Call Pat Adams at 903-849-0423 or Martin, at 903-849-7154.

For more on Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs. org.