Our history began in 1960 when, with the help of our sponsor, the Wanaque Lions Club, we received our charter from Lions International. This began a journey of fellowship and charity that has lasted over forty seven years.

Over the years, the Wayne Lions Club wandered in its choice of meeting places, including the Tudor Inn on Hamburg Turnpike ( later called the Rounders Restaurant where we also met, and now called China Pardise), the historic Donohue's Restaurant on Route 23, the Green Frog at Ratzer Road and Hamburg Turnpike ( later called the Windmill Inn and now Brother Bruno's ), the Wayne Country Club (which was destroyed by fire and is now a group of townhomes), George's Steak Pub, and finally the Paris Inn, (formerly Tallia's), where we have been taken care of for the past 32 plus years by Lion Paris Petritsis.

The Wayne Lions Club has sponsored many fund-raising events over the years, including carnivals, nights at the races, blind seal drives, door to door key and light bulb sales, mock accidents, white cane sales, variety shows, circuses, ice shows, beefsteak dinners, trips to the operas, golf outings and numerous raffles. We support various summer camps for blind children and handicapped children. We have contributed several hundred thousands of dollars to charitable and civic causes over the years. We have supported charities such as the Foundation for the Handicapped, the Senior Citizens Civic Center, First Aid Squad, flood victims, Wayne Boys and Girls Club, Little League, PAL, and our several volunteer Fire Departments and purchased large print books for the library for the visually impaired residents. Each year we award a scholarship at each of the Wayne located high schools for a worthy student.

We have also provided transportation to blind and ailing residents; helped purchase a specially fitted automobile for a paraplegic student and have assisted scores of Township residents in obtaining medical care, provided free eye examinations to indigent individuals, and maintained Camp Marcella, a summer camp for blind children. With our eye mobile we have screened thousands of our Wayne neighbors for glaucoma and placed renovated mailboxes throughout the Township to collect eyeglasses, which are then reprocessed and distributed free of charge to the poor in other countries through the Lions International network.

A few years ago we instituted a Leo Club at Wayne Hills High School in order to interest our youth in service to the community. In 2006, a 2nd Leo Club was initiated at Wayne Anthony Jr. High School. This year a 3rd Leo Club will start at the Wayne Valley High School. All three Leo Clubs became possible under the leadership of Lion Al Ruffini as Advisor.

The Lions Club started Wayne Day 15 Years ago as a means of gathering the Wayne residents to a common area behind the Wayne Valley High School for a yearly celebration of our progress as a thriving community. One of our most treasured projects was the Talking Newspaper, the brainchild of Lion Jacques Saphier back in 1955. A cadre of 50 volunteers was active in reading and reproducing audio tapes of local news for the blind and those whose disabilities prevented them from holding newspapers. In 2007 , the Talking Newspaper was overtaken by new technology and thus ended a cherished project. But, during its time it satisfied many disabled people for over 51 years.

For more than forty seven years we have joined together to achieve the goals of Lionism - charity and fellowship, we have enjoyed the camaraderie of working together, as well as the good humor that prevails at our meetings. And there is a payback to us, the Lions. We are rewarded, in full measure, by the fulfillment cherished by all people of good will - pride in our accomplishments and a joy of helping others less fortunate than we.

Wayne Lions Club . 600 Valley Road, Suite 101 . Wayne, New Jersey 07470
P. 973.692.0001  E. office@waynelions.org