North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Kaye Collins
The Loris Regional Lions Club (LRLC) celebrated becoming an official member of the Lions Association on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Nils Regnell acted as the master of ceremonies, welcoming the distinguished guests and extending congratulations to the LRLC for becoming Charter Members as they formed a formal club in Loris. Following the opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by Joe Olive, guests enjoyed almost 20 minutes of mingling while being served light refreshments courtesy of the LRLC.
The Lions District Governor, Daniel Prohaska, expressed his gratitude to the guests, acknowledging the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club for their support in founding the LRLC.
Bill Hahn, a Past District Governor, recounted their initial outreach to the Loris community to form a local club. They participated in the Loris Bog-Off Festival in September 2024, distributing brochures and collecting names of individuals interested in joining the club.
On February 20, 2025, he and Sandy Boggs from the Global Extension Team convened to appoint the officers of the LRLC. After the officers were selected, they focused on recruiting new members from the Loris area, as they required 20 members to achieve Charter status. They successfully met their membership goal and commenced providing services to the community.
Diane Pitts, a former International Governor, was the keynote speaker. She mentioned that she is a third-generation member and officer of the Lions Club. Additionally, she discussed her experiences with the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind. The School for the Deaf offers educational programs and independent living skills training for students with considerable hearing loss. The School for the Blind provides both academic and vocational training, featuring assistive technology and integration opportunities for students experiencing substantial vision loss.
Residential Life provides dormitory accommodations, recreational activities, and the development of independent living skills for students residing on campus throughout the week. Their Athletics & Fine Arts program includes 11 athletic teams (such as goalball, football, and track) along with an advanced arts curriculum that is integrated into the academic offerings.
Career Training encompasses programs in horticulture, construction, and digital arts aimed at equipping students for the workforce.
The school was founded in 1849 by the Reverend Newton Pinckney Walker. The school began as a private institution for five deaf students. It became a state-supported public school in 1856. Its signature building, Walker Hall, was built in the 1850’s.
While recounting her experience at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, it became evident that the support from the Lions was significant for both the current students and the staff.
She extended her congratulations to the LRLC for their Charter, and they are now on a path to assist those in the community who require their support.
Keen stood at the podium, recounting her journey in founding the LRLC and recruiting new members to form a Charter group. She expressed her gratitude to those who aided in the creation of the LRLC, particularly thanking Boggs for her collaboration with the officers in explaining the club’s operations.
Suggs mentioned that he belongs to a third generation of Lions Club members, with his grandfather, father, and brother all having been part of the original Loris Lions Club. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the revival of this esteemed organization in Loris. Suggs shared after the meeting, “The original Loris Lions Club was founded in 1949 and remained active for many years. The original club ceased operations around 2012.” He mentioned that a number of the founding members had either passed away or relocated, resulting in insufficient membership to maintain the charter.
The new membership induction, charter members installation and pinning ceremony of the 21 members present was held by Past District Governors and Past International Director Diane Pitts.
The Lions Club was established in 1917 in Chicago and has since expanded worldwide, becoming the largest service club organization globally, with more than 1.4 million members in over 48,000 local clubs across more than 200 countries. Its headquarters is located in Oak Brook, Illinois. The Lions organization is dedicated to humanitarian service, which encompasses sight preservation, hunger relief, environmental initiatives, and youth programs. They are classified as a 501(c)(4) civic leagues or social welfare organizations.
Boggs discussed her lifelong engagement with the Lions Club and expressed her joy in assisting the LRLC in forming a club. She noted that significant effort and commitment from the officers and members were required to achieve Charter club status. She extended her congratulations to the LRLC and wished them success as she now steps back, allowing the group to carry on serving the community according to its needs.
Following the benediction, the meeting was concluded. Numerous attendees stayed behind to converse and personally congratulate the new members while the LRLC tidied up the space.
Club officers include President Sherrie Keen, Vice President Sandra McCormick, Secretary Rhonda Olive and Treasurer Joseph Olive. Club Directors are Candice Grella and Jean Tymczyszyn. Members David and Kristy Boyd, Cameron Dozier, Joshua Franklin, Edward, Matthew and Stacie Ginther, Samantha Norris, Mikyong Pellizzaro, Buffy Seaton, Mike Suggs, Wanda Suggs, Jay Thomas, Candi Walck, Catherine Wilkins and Sherrie and Stephen Whisnant.
The LRLC expressed gratitude to the City of Loris, the Loris Chamber of Commerce, Matthew Ginther, and the North Myrtle Beach Lions Club for their invaluable support in making the LRLC a reality. The sponsors include Advance America, Fox on the Run, Mattie Jane’s, and Tippitiwichit. “I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to the establishment of the Loris Regional Lions Club and this Charter Celebration,” Keen remarked, “Your generous contributions of time, resources, and financial support are greatly appreciated.
Contact Treasurer Joseph Olive at Treasurer.Lorisrlc@gmail.com for information about the LRLC or to become a member. The Loris Regional Lions Club now has a Facebook Page. Visit the page and follow it to stay updated on the activities of the Loris club.
