Lions honor past members and residents

Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellows were awarded in the names of Lion Donna Holder and Lion Joe Jones, who both passed away this year, in recognition of the service to the South Elgin Lions Club.

Lion Donna dedicated over 30 years of service to the club, first as a Lioness and then as a Lion and Lion Joe had over 13 years of service. Both Lions were active and served on several committees and projects.

Also posthumously honored was Nancy Snyder and Brian Owens, wife and grandson of Lion Leo Snyder of South Elgin. Nancy was honored with leaf on the foundation's Tree of Service. The tree stands for the various programs offered through the Lions of Illinois Foundation. The branches are symbolic of how Lions Clubs reach out into the community through their services and the community is symbolized by the leaves on the tree. Leo's grandson, Brian was honored with a Foundation Fellow. All moneys donated for the Fellows and Tree of Service and placed into an endowment fund and only the interest is used to fund all the programs and services off for the vision and hearing impaired residents of Illinois.

Lion Donna Holder was also honored with a Melvin Jones Fellowship. The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the highest award in Lions International. Melvin Jones, the founder and man whose personal code –"You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" – became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over. Lions Clubs International uses the funds generated by to sponsor the many projects worldwide, including providing disaster grants for the southern states affected by the spring tornadoes.