A Nesquehoning organization that has been a fixture in the community for decades is disbanding after its membership has dwindled over the years.

The Nesquehoning Lions Club will officially disband on June 29 after the decision was made in March.Helen Applegate, president of the club, explained that the decision was tough, but with 15 members registered, and only a handful of active members who participate in fundraisers, it was necessary since it was getting hard to manage."We tried to keep it going after we sold the (Lions Club) building," she said.Frank Jacobs, who spoke to borough council in April about the club, said at that time that there just weren't enough people to do what needed to be done."We have no alternative than to close the doors," he said.The club has since been doling out the rest of its finances to help the Nesquehoning community.Applegate said that they recently gave money to Meeds Memorial United Methodist Church for the town clock, the summer lunch program and for the pastor's discretionary funds.The club is also giving the borough approximately $12,000 to maintain the club's memorial in the former St. Patrick's Cemetery on West Catawissa Street.The memorial, three black granite blocks and two flagpoles that honor those have made the ultimate sacrifice, was placed at the site in August 1995 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.Jacobs asked council if the borough would take over the maintenance and upkeep of the memorial such as mowing the lawn, trimming the trees and paying the light bills for the floodlights that illuminate the memorial at night.Council approved the request and will receive the money later this month.The club is also looking to give the Nesquehoning Historical Society money toward the purchase of new Christmas lights for the borough to line Catawissa Street, Applegate said.The club is hosting one final farewell for its present and past Nesquehoning Lions Club members on June 6 at Macaluso's Restaurant, Applegate said.