By 1969 the “Dogwood Acres” section of Chester, New Jersey was home to many residents who were new to the area, attracted by the small-town and woodsy setting. Harry and Irene Brockman had relocated there from Scotch Plains where Harry had been a member of the Scotch Plains Lions Club, a service organization dedicated to helping others. His commitment to Lionism inspired him to talk to his neighbors about starting a club in his new hometown. By autumn a total of twenty two people formed the core of the proposed new club and on November 24, 1969 the International Association of Lions Clubs formally chartered the new “Lions Club of Chester.”
Harry and the members knew that the primary purpose of Lionism is service to the community, with particular emphasis on sight conservation and restoration. This meant developing activities and projects geared to the needs of the community, as well as to supporting programs of Lions International. Some of the earliest activities included helping those in need by providing funds for eyeglasses, medical procedures, home repairs, and financial crises. Funding such projects was, and still is, a major task.