After serving the local community for the past 46 years, the Lioness Club of Penang is folding up its operations for good as they lack the recruitment of new members.

To mark the dissolution, they have disbursed every cent of their funds to 10 charitable homes and non-governmental organizations (NGO) at a luncheon held at the G Hotel yesterday. 

They distributed a total sum of RM25,000 being RM2,500 for each home.

Among the recipients were the Children’s Protection Society Penang, Penang Cheshire Home, Penang Pure Lotus Society Hospice of Compassion, St Nicholas Home, Salvation Army Home, Crystal Family Home, Lighthouse, Persatuan Kanak Kanak Cerebral Palsy (Spastic) Pulau Pinang, Persakutuan Pertubuhan Thalassemia Malaysia and The Association of Resources and Education for Autistic Children.

They also contributed a donation to one of their late member’s family, Evelyn Teoh, at the gathering.

Having been founded in 1976, now they have only 12 members.

According to their current president, Josephine Dewitt, 80, who shared her sadness on the closing of the club.

“We have resolved all pending matters outstanding pertaining to the likes of the Register of Society (ROS), audit and other matters.

“We could not find new members to keep this club going as most of the present members are from the ages of 60 to 88 years.

“Over the years while in operation, we had played our part to raise funds to help the needy and underprivileged in the society. This is something we will cherish.

I am also facing difficulty walking due to my knee problem and hope to undergo an operation to rectify it soon,” said Dewitt to Where2 Lifestyle who had served as the president for the past eight years..

Another senior member of the club, Datuk Molly Mark who is 88-years old also shared her
somber mood.

“I have been a member since 2007 and have a lot of good memories while serving in this club. I have also made new friends and helped served the community during my term,” said Mark.

Lending support to organise the final gathering and emcee the occasion was ex-member, Oh Ang Jong.

She also revealed that they have to face reality and let the club be closed due to the shortage of “new blood”.

Joining them for the final luncheon were members of the Lions Club of Penang and many past members who stepped up to make the event memorable one.