It’s a problem plaguing many organizations — dwindling membership.

It has become so severe for Marion Lions Club that the five remaining members are considering disbanding the organization.

The focus of the organization has been the prevention of blindness with the local organization distributing more than 100 eyeglasses to less fortunate people in the 20 years since the club began.

Starting as a men’s organization, women were allowed in the club about 10 years ago, member Judy Christensen said.

“My dad was a member of the Wichita Downtown Lions Club,” Christensen said. “I thought it was really neat when Jim (her husband) became a member.”

During its most successful membership time, Marion Lions Club had 25 members.

Despite the numbers, the organization was active — working at the baseball complex during summers, operating a food booth at Marion’s Art in the Park, and sponsoring a car

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show and Easter egg hunt every spring.

With funds raised from events, the club has been able to give $18,500 in scholarships to local high school seniors — awarding two $500 scholarships each year.

A nature trail was developed and maintained in Marion Central Park for a number of years by the Lions Club and Marion Kiwanis Club.

The group also hosts the annual Marion Middle School athletic banquet and donated $1,000 to Marion City Library.

As part of a national organization, the club has struggled these past few years in maintaining and attracting new members.

Their goals are not lofty.

“It would be great if we could just get three new members,” Christensen said.

The requirements are simple. Anyone interested in serving the community, able to pay $65 per year in dues, and willing to volunteer at club-sponsored events is welcome.

The club meets at 6:30 p.m., the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

Christensen and the other members know people are busy with full-time jobs and family and church activities but believe the organization is worth belonging.

“Members are not required to attend every meeting,” she said. “We just ask that a member show up to help us when we have events.”

An annual Easter egg hunt has been going on in Central Park the past 15 years with the club providing nearly 1,000 plastic eggs filled with candy and coins each year.

“It would be shame for this long tradition to end but if something doesn’t change, that’s what’s going to happen,” Christensen said.

For more information, call Christensen at (620) 382-3141.