TORRINGTON – The Torrington Lions Club is actively recruiting new members to ensure the continuation of its community service mission, as Lions clubs across the region face membership challenges leading to the dissolution of neighboring chapters.

The club, part of Lions International, connects with the world’s largest service organization with nearly 1.5 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs across the globe. Lions International focuses on addressing critical humanitarian needs including vision care, hunger relief, childhood cancer research and disaster response.

The urgency became clear during last month’s meeting of the Lingle Town Council, when town clerk/treasurer Ritch Reyes stated the town had received a donation from the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Lions Club. The club had reached out to the town, announcing its disassembly after serving the Lingle/Fort Laramie community for many years.

“Yes, Lingle/Ft. Laramie did or they’re closing June 30,” Amy Bomgardner, president of the Torrington Lions Club said. “It’s going to be their last day, for sure. They had all mainly seniors in it. I guess they only had a couple of younger people. I told them to come on over to Torrington or if there was something I can do to help them, to let me know.”

Bomgardner said she extended an invitation to Lions members in the Lingle/Fort Laramie community, hoping to maintain the spirit of service in the area.

“We’re open with open arms,” Bomgardner said. “We need new members, younger members in the club because they kind of keep things going.”

The closure of the Lingle/Ft. Laramie chapter reflects a broader challenge facing service organizations across rural America. Many clubs struggle with aging membership and difficulty attracting younger volunteers. The Lingle club’s situation, with primarily senior members and only a couple of younger people, mirrors the demographic challenges many community organizations face.

As president, Bomgardner brings both enthusiasm and plans to the role. 

“I’m a part of leadership – I’m the president. Plus, I’m going to be the governor, starting in 2026. I’ll be the governor of the district,” she said, noting her new title would be first vice district governor. “I’ll travel all over Wyoming.”

Bomgardner sees potential in bringing fresh perspectives to the organization. 

“New members bring fresh new ideas to the clubs. There’s a lot of young people, like for instance, say somebody just getting out of high school, they have a lot of knowledge of AI stuff,” she explained. “In my leadership training, they are wanting us to do AI stuff. They really want us to rely on AI for promoting clubs and getting new members. They foresee this as the future.”

While Bomgardner admits she doesn’t personally embrace AI technology, she recognizes its importance for the organization’s future. 

“I don’t like AI, but I know a lot of the newer generation loves it. The club could be our future,” she said.

According to Bomgardner, younger club members are an asset because technology is moving at a speed challenging older generations to keep up. The Lions Club has developed a website to help clubs create their own advertisements and promotional materials, representing the organization’s efforts to modernize its outreach efforts.

Bomgardner noted Lions Club membership often becomes a family affair. 

“The Lions Club thing is, if a family member joins then they are going to join – I see this in a lot of clubs. In Burns, they have over 40 members. The little town of Burns. A lot of their parents are Lions Club members so then their kids join and the kids get active in it and then their kids join. It’s kind of cool,” she said.

The Torrington club currently has only 13 members between the ages of 35 and 75, with Bomgardner being the youngest member. The majority of the club’s members are between 50 to 75 years old. This limited membership affects their capacity for community service and puts additional strain on existing members.

“If we get more members, it’d be great for the community because the club could host more events. More things for us to do. Currently, we only do two events,” Bomgardner said. “One in July and one in November. After those events, we’re exhausted because again, we only have 13 members.”

The small membership means each member must take on multiple responsibilities, from planning and organizing events to handling administrative duties. Additional members would not only distribute the workload but also bring new energy and ideas to expand the club’s community impact.

Despite the challenges, the club remains committed to its mission. Lions clubs traditionally serve as the backbone of American communities, organizing everything from health screenings to disaster relief efforts. The Torrington chapter wants to continue this tradition but needs community members to step forward.

The Torrington Lions Club assists with local eye care services. Applications for assistance are available at both eye clinics in Torrington. 

The club also supports the Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp in Casper. Located 11 miles south of Casper near the top of Casper Mountain, the Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp is owned and operated by the Lions of Wyoming Foundation. Situated on 14 acres, the camp can accommodate a group of up to 110 people comfortably. The camp hosts a week-long summer school for visually impaired youth and a week-long experience for adults as well.

The camp provides a safe and enriching environment where visually impaired individuals can develop independence, learn new skills and build confidence. Activities typically include outdoor recreation, educational programs and social interaction with peers facing similar challenges. The program demonstrates the Lions Club’s commitment to serving the blind and visually impaired community beyond just financial assistance.

The club is also looking toward building programs for younger generations. 

“There are different categories in Lions. There are the cubs, which is the little kids, up until 12,” Bomgardner said. “Then, they have Leos, which is 12 to 18. My son wants to start a Leo Club so we are hoping to get this going because we (the Lions Club) would have to sponsor it.”

Leo Clubs, which stands for Leadership, Experience and Opportunity, serve as youth programs affiliated with Lions clubs. These clubs help young people develop leadership skills while engaging in community service projects. Starting a Leo Club would create a pipeline for future Lions membership while providing local youth with structured volunteer opportunities.

The development of youth programs represents a strategic investment in the organization’s future. Young people involved in Leos often continue their service as adult Lions members, creating the generational continuity necessary for long-term organizational sustainability.

The Torrington Lions Club will host the Festival of Sight at Pioneer Park on Saturday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event represents one of their two annual community activities and focuses on vision awareness and screening services.

Community members interested in learning more about Lions membership can contact the club through Lions of Wyoming or attend a meeting. The club welcomes visitors and will answer questions about membership requirements and expectations. Membership in Lions clubs is typically by invitation or when someone approaches the club directly, with existing members sponsoring new candidates.

New members don’t need special skills or extensive time commitments to make meaningful contributions. The club seeks individuals from all backgrounds and professions who share a willingness to serve and a desire to help improve life in Torrington and beyond.

Given the recent loss of the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Lions chapter, the club is seeking new members. 

“We’re open with open arms” to anyone willing to help serve the community, as Bomgardner said.

The Torrington Lions Club needs committed community members to continue its service work in Goshen County. Joining the Lions Club provides opportunities for leadership development, networking with like-minded individuals and making a tangible difference in the local community while connecting with humanitarian efforts worldwide.

Strong communities don’t happen by accident – they’re built by people willing to invest their time and energy in making a difference. The Lions Club offers a structured way for residents to channel their desire to help others into meaningful action.

For membership information, contact Lions of Wyoming or attend a local meeting. Meetings are held every second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Open Barrel Brewery.