Part 2: Projects Accomplished by Members of the Bally Lions Club Enhance the Community

by Jane Stahl

The medical equipment lending program is just one of the Bally Lions Club’s projects that enhances the Bally community. Donnie Conrad, long-time Bally resident retired from Bally Ribbon Mills, and Lee Heffner, agent with Richard A. Zuber Realty, proudly share the results of the efforts of their members.

 Another project, sponsored by the Club, is the Walking Trail, providing a one-mile stroll amid old shade trees. “The original trail was not paved,” admits Conrad. “But grass grew up amid the stone; it was getting to be a high maintenance project, and so, again, we had donations and volunteers to pay for the trail to be macadamed.” Another Eagle Scout project added stations that housed dog refuse bags.

The trail is dedicated to Richard Quigley and named after the town’s iconic police chief: Ferrizzi.

Years ago and for 27 years the community ran its own recycling program. Once a month, recyclables were collected from all families. “I could call on over 30 people to help and could always find a dozen people able to help,” he offers. “Bally people help one another.”

“And they support projects,” Heffner concurs. “They donate; they actively volunteer when they can, and they come out for our fundraisers like ‘A Night at the Races.’”

Notable in drives through Bally from Memorial Day in May and Veterans’ Day in November are over 50 Heroes Banners that are hung on the town’s telephone poles, tributes to the nation’s veterans who were members of the Bally, PA, community. “Scott Moll headed that project,” notes Conrad whose wife and daughter sponsored his banner. “We’ve about run out of poles on the main street,” he explains. “We’re going to need to install them on side streets sometime soon.”

The Bally Lions contribute to the national campaign that offers eyeglasses and eye exams. Conrad often delivers donated eyeglasses to collection sites at Dr. Jim Tribbett’s Boyertown office, WalMart, or the Boyertown Lions Club. Heffner is currently working with two students in junior high who need glasses.

“Bally is a very special, close-knit community that actively seeks ways to improve,” offers Heffner. Both gentlemen pointed out plaques and signs that honor volunteers and donors. “Dennis Hafer is one of our outstanding contributors,” notes Heffner. “We found his meticulous notes after he passed; he had records of each member’s attendance, took care of responding to the national committee and kept up our website. His contributions are legendary; the Medical Equipment Building is named after him.”

At a time when many volunteer organizations, social clubs, and churches experience declining membership numbers and involvement, the Bally Lions Club, in existence since the 50’s continues as an active club boasting over 30 members—20 of them counted as active; younger members with jobs and young families help when they can.

“We are fortunate in that our members come out whenever we send out a call for help,” notes member Lee Heffner. Long-time member Donnie Conrad agrees, saying, “There’s always someone to help.”

And help is needed frequently as this busy club hosts fundraisers that benefit community organizations, facilitates activities celebrating national holidays, and initiates projects to enhance the community. Bally Lions Club distributes over 160 Holiday Fruit Bags to local seniors, widows, and widowers each year.

The Club meets twice a month—one meeting is a dinner meeting, the other is held at the Medical Equipment Building so that members feel connected and aware of the Club’s major project.

Young people are encouraged to consider joining the Bally Lions Club, sharing that the service to others “makes you feel good.” It’s just that simple and means so much to so many. 

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