Lions Club president receives prestigious award
For more than four decades, a very small but active group of islanders have strove to see to the particular needs of island residents and recently, one of its members was rewarded for this effort. During its annual dinner on Monday, Jan. 24, Mary Von Burg, president of the Greater Pine Island Lions Club, was presented with one of the highest honors bestowed upon an individual by Lions Club International. Presenting Von Burg with the Melvin Jones Fellowship was D.G. Barbaugh, District Governor of 35-I for 2011, on behalf of Lions Clubs International. The Melvin Jones Fellowship represents dedication to humanitarian service to the highest degree. Named for the founder of Lions Clubs International, the Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient is seen as a model of exemplary service to his or her club and the community it serves.
On receiving the honor, Von Burg credited the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the GPI Lions volunteers.
“This award would not have been possible with out the continued support of our Lions Club members and especially our community. Without their efforts, we would not be able to accomplish all that we do for our fellow islanders,” Von Burg said. “When I first came into the Lions many years ago I had learned about this award and thought, gosh I would like to be able to get that one day. I quickly learned however, that is was not a matter of following any particular guidelines or rules to achieve it. Instead it is given to a person based on their deeds alone and since it comes from people who don’t even know me, it is more amazing to me that I was selected to be honored this way.”
During the annual meeting, five new members were introduced. Joining the efforts of the Pine Island Lions Club are Kat Ditranpani, Judith Edgington, Roger Edgington, Peg Harmon and associate member, John Carbaugh who is a member of the Alexandria, Mn. Lions Club.
The Greater Pine Island Lions Club is dedicated to assisting island residents who are in need of eyeglasses or hearing aids as well as eye and hearing exams for those who cannot afford them. In addition, each year they provide several scholarships to deserving college bound island students and have provided funding to sponsor the training and placement of guide dogs in the Lee County area. With just a handful of volunteers, this group relies solely on the contributions of island residents and visitors and through fund raising efforts of their own. In the weeks to come, the members of the Pine Island Lions Club will be offering raffle tickets to raise funds to support their efforts.
The main fund raiser in the works for 2011 provides raffle ticket purchasers with the opportunity to win a cash prize.
“Our goal is to sell 100 raffle tickets at a cost of $100 each. This will put each of the ticket holders into the running for a drawing which will take place during a festive buffet luncheon at the St. James City Civic Center.” said Von Burg. “It is our hope that islanders will continue to support our efforts by purchasing raffle tickets and joining us during our special drawing ceremony.”
The prizes to be awarded include $3,500 for first place, $500 for second and $100 for third through seventh place. In addition to the prize awards and buffet, members of the Lions also are currently busy collecting items for an auction that will be staged during the event.
Always welcoming newcomers, the Greater Pine Island Lions Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church in St. James City. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 28 beginning at 7 p.m.
“We are a working group that meets once a month, but we have fun and enjoy helping others on our island,” Von Burg said.
For more information about the Greater Pine Island Lions Club, call 283-9761.