The Loris Lions Club is making a comeback in Loris. 

A charter for the Loris Regional Lions Club was signed March 19. 

“We had 22 members at the charter-signing ceremony,” said Sherrie Keen, the new club’s president. “We have one more who will sign it, too, for a total of 23 charter members.”

The Lions Club is designated as ‘Regional’ so that it won’t be confused with the Loris Lions, the name of the Loris High School mascot.

Keen also explained that the Loris Lions Club of years past had a high profile in the community. “In the 1940’s the Lions were very active and they were active for years, but the club disbanded a few years ago.” 

Jim Murph, age 82, is the last surviving member of the former Loris Lions Club. He said it broke up about four or five years ago. He’s glad to see it resurrected. 

“We (the former Lions Club) kind of died out before because we were not getting any young people to join,” Murph said. “But I think it’s wonderful to see it coming back. I want to see any organization that helps people do well.” 

Others who helped get the new club established are: Sandra McCormick, vice president; Rhonda Olive, secretary; and Joseph Olive, treasurer.  Lori Suggs, Tanner Cox,  and Bridgett Fowler also worked to get the club off the ground. Club directors are Candice Grella and Jean Tymczyszyn.  

The club got some out-of-town help with its resurgence, too. Members of the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club, started the effort to establish the new chapter in Loris. It was returning a favor of sorts. The North Myrtle Beach Lions Club celebrated its 75th anniversary last year. It was formed in 1949 with the help from the Loris Lions Club.

The motto of Loris Lions’ Club is ‘Where there is a need, there is a Lion. The Lions’ Club International, which formed in 1917 in Chicago, has the goal of expanding the number of clubs whenever possible. And the new club has hit the ground running.