(L to R) Somerville Lions President Bill Tauro, Lion members John O'Leary, Tony Ricci and Ed Ciampa. - Photo by Tim Omally

By William Tauro

The Somerville Lions Club accepted Somerville native Tony Ricci as the first member of the Somerville Lions Club to be sworn into the service organization for year 2011.

The ceremony took place on Tuesday evening at the Mount Vernon at the Ship Restaurant in Lynnfield among his fellow club members at a Post Valentines Day Dinner Meeting.

The Somerville Lions Club has been in existence since 1933. Lions Clubs in Massachusetts have raised and donated over $27,000,000.00 since their beginning with proceeds supporting local charities, cures for Diabetes and Blindness.

The Somerville Lions Club is one of the three service clubs in the city. The other two clubs are the Rotary and the Kiwanis.

There are over 1.4 million Lion members world wide serving their communities with 250 clubs here in Massachusetts.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact  Somerville Lions Club President Bill Tauro at Somervillelionsclub@yahoo.com or by calling (617)293-2016.

You can also visit their website at Somervillelionsclub.com