In January of 1960, a committee from Fort Worth Southside Lions Club met with various men from the Southwest part of Fort Worth to hold an organizational meeting for the formation of a new Lions Club in this area.  This new Club, initially named the Westcliff Evening Lions Club, held its Charter Night Banquet on March 27, 1960 at the Southside Lions Community Center building.  There were 40 charter members in the Club which was ably guided by its Charter President, Jim Hollingsworth.

    After meeting weekly at a number of places and seeing a need for a permanent meeting place, the Club, in 1961, constructed its own building which still stands on Wellview Street.  Many man-hours of the member labor were required for the building upkeep and for the projects that were necessary to raise money for the building payments.  It was a struggle.  The Club decided that the effort needed to sustain the building could be put to a much more worthwhile use - helping the Community and less fortunate people.  Therefore, in 1964, the building was sold.

    Again, after meeting at a number of places, the Club decided in 1966, to move to the Colonial Cafeteria in Wedgwood where it was felt that the Community could be better served.  Shortly thereafter, the Club requested a name change from Lions International and on April 13, 1967, the Westcliff Evening Lions Club was granted permission to change its name to the Fort Worth Southwest Lions Club.  Since that date the Club has been meeting weekly on Monday evenings.  The current location of the meetings is Golden Corral Restaurant at 6049  S. Hulen Street in Fort Worth, Texas 76133.

    The Club has remained about the same size throughout the years - approximately 30 to 40 members.  However, lack of quantity in membership is made up by quality of membership.  Over half the Past Presidents are still active with each member doing his/her part to serve his/her Club, his/her Community, and his/her fellowman.  Women have been welcomed as members since 1986 when Lions International voted to change the qualifications for membership at the International Convention  held in Taipei, Taiwan that year.

    The Fort Worth Southwest Lions CLub has a very distinguished record in the District 2-E2 of which it is a part, as well as in the State.  The Club's members are very active in District functions.  Many members of the Club have served on the District Governor's Cabinets as well as being elected to serve in other capacities in the District and the State.  The Club has been named The Outstanding Club in its division several times.

    Our club has been an annual 100% supporter of the Lions Clubs International Foundation, the Julien C. Hyer Lions Youth Camp, the Texas Lions Foundation, Leader Dogs for the Blind, the District 2E-2 Organ and Eye bank, since it was founded in 1971, and the Texas Lions Camp for Crippled Children since 1964.  In 1987 an additional $1000 was given to remodel the Texas Lions Camp infirmary.

    In 1966, an eye care program was started by the Club at Cook's Medical Center Eye Clinic.  This program was established to provide eye surgery for cross-eyed children who otherwise would not have financial means for the surgery.  Since starting this program, the Club has contributed over $48,000 for this very worthwhile project.

    In addition, the Club has an on-going eye glass program with Fort Worth Schools in the Southwest area providing eye exams, glasses and other medical care at no cost to needy children.  In 2003-2004 alone, over $6200.00 in eye glass care was provided.  Students are pre-qualified by the school nurse's preliminary screening at their individual schools.  Applications are then  filled out and forwarded to our Eyesight Committee for approval and scheduling to the Optometrist with which we have  a working agreement.