Tuesday was both a day of celebration and sadness for the Nesquehoning Lions Club.

The group gathered at Macaluso's Restaurant to celebrate its 60th charter anniversary, which will be the last in the club's history. On June 30, the Nesquehoning Lions Club chapter will end its tenure in the community, a result of decreasing membership over the years.Helen Applegate, president of the club, thanked everyone for their dedication to the club and announced the years of service of the 14 members who remain. The years as Lions ranged from one to 58 years.Tom Sniscak, who has been a member for the last 58 years, said he was happy to have been part of something so beneficial for the community and is proud of what the club accomplished through the years, but is sad to see the chapter end.Frank Parano, a 49-year member, had a prepared statement, which Frank Jacobs, treasurer, read."To the many men and women who started the Nesquehoning Lions Club, they had a vision for improving our community through hard work, generosity and the spirit of service. They chose to use their talents and time to enrich our community. ... Some 60 years later, we can look at some of our many fine accomplishments like the World War II monuments that have become the center of town, as well as the thousands of dollars we have donated to charities. We should be proud of our work and while the club may be coming to a close tonight you can always look back and know we made a difference. It truly has been an honor and privilege to be part of the Nesquehoning Lions Club."Through the yearsThroughout the last 60 years, the Nesquehoning Lions Club has been involved in community events, including small sales and fundraisers, installing the World War II memorial in St. Patrick's cemetery, helping with a visiting nurse program and donating to various events such the construction of the helipad at St. Luke's Miners campus.The club participated in the Lions KidSight program to help school children get a start on eye health.It has also been a welcoming club for both men and women for the last nine years.Lions Club District Governor Larry Williams, who was a previous member of the Nesquehoning Lions Club with his wife, Holly, addressed the club, saying that it was an honor to know the group on a personal level."As district governor, I am happy to have known this club, but I am sad that you go now. The district is saddened by your parting membership. You have touched many lives and you should pat yourselves on the back for the lives you have changed."He urged the members to consider transferring to other clubs or maybe one day coming together and making a Panther Valley club.The group then presented plaques to Applegate and Jacobs, for their dedication to the club over the years. Applegate was also the recent recipient of the PA Fellow award on the district level.Remaining fundsApplegate and Jacobs addressed the group to provide one last update on where the remaining funds will go as the club disbands.Jacobs said $1,100 went to Meeds Memorial United Methodist Church for various programs it hosts, while $12,000 will go to the borough to cover the costs of the upkeep of the World War II memorial. The Lions Club items and memorabilia will also be donated to the Nesquehoning Historical Society.Applegate said some of the funds will also match a donation by the Panther Valley Elementary School students for the KidSight program. Recently, 63 Panther Valley area children were checked through the program to help them take the first step on getting better vision.The KidSight program uses a hand-held camera that takes a snapshot of a child's eyes and helps pick up on the early stages of amblyopia, more commonly known as lazy eye.Williams said the cameras help children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years old. "If you can correct it before age 6 you have a better chance of correcting it."Each child gets a printout of the report, which then can be taken to an optometrist to start them on the path of better vision.The Lions Club district has four cameras, which cost approximately $7,500 a piece, and are maintained through donations from the clubs.