Branson Hollister Lions Club was organized at the Sportsman Inn, which was located across from the present City Hall. This was done on October 26, 1954. Our charter was dated November 12, 1954.

The first big project of the Club was to put in a boat launching ramp on Lake Taneycomo. They also cut shoreline brush , on Lake Taneycomo, from City Park to the highway bridge.

The oldest annual money-raising event is the Mulligan Stew which is held in March of each year. It was started in 1960.

In 1970 the Club started a Turkey Shoot which is held in October, or November, of each year. The first Chairman of this event was Lion Harlan Brown, then Lion Joe Schwab and the present Chairman is PDG Lion Sherman Henry.

Our Club has produced four (4) District Governors. Lion Leo Miller 1975-76, Lion Sherman Henry 1980-81, Lion Carl Schmidt 1990-91 and Lion Ernie Schlichting 1996-97.

Bingo was adopted by Branson Hollister Lions in the Fall of 1982. In the beginning Bingo was held in various locations in the City. In the early 1980’s land was purchased by the Club and in the Fall of 1987 construction was started on a new building. The approximate cost of the new building, approved by the membership, was $200,000.00.

Bingo was started in the Wendell Cox Lions Community Building in 1988. In the Fall of 1992 a ceremony was held to burn the Mortgage papers on the building. The Wendell Cox Lions Community Building has been a great asset to our community. It has been leased for Wedding Receptions, Anniversary Dinners, dances, garage sales and various Festivals. On February 1, 1998 the building became a smoke free facility, this applies to rental events as well.