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S. Elgin Lions honor past members, residents

The South Elgin Lions Club, which has been active in the community since 1954, held its installation dinner on June 10, honoring several Lions for their years of service.

Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellows were awarded in the names of Lion Donna Holder and Lion Joe Jones, who both died this year, in recognition of their service to the South Elgin Lions Club. Lion Donna dedicated more than 30 years of service to our Club, first as a Lioness and then as a Lion and Jones had more than 13 years of service. Both Lions were active and served on several committees and projects. Also honored were Nancy Snyder, posthumously, and Brian Owens, wife and grandson respectively of Lion Leo Snyder of South Elgin. Snyder was honored with a 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. Owens 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 for vision and hearing-impaired residents of Illinois.

Lion Donna Holder was honored with a Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest award in Lions International. Melvin Jones is 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.

Lion of the Year was presented to Lion Karen McCarthy of Elgin by Lion Ray Eaton for her work and dedication to the South Elgin Lions Club. Karen McCarthy had been active in the club before officially joining in March 2010. Since becoming a member, she has assumed additional duties by becoming the building treasurer in addition to participating in several committees and activities, including the Lions’ booth at Riverfest, calendar raffle, Candy Day, and the Turkey Spin.

Lion Ed McCarthy received a President’s Award for Project of the Year. This past year Ed McCarthy took Candy Day sales to a new high and raised more than $4,000. Candy Day is the most visual fundraiser for the Lions of Illinois Foundation and is held statewide in October. Through the funds raised the foundation is able to provide quality programs and services to the residents of Illinois for the detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of visual and hearing impairments.

President’s Awards were also presented to Lion Kim Geske of South Elgin for Project Chairperson of the year 2010-11 for the Riverfest Food Booth; Jamie Lutz of Lombard for her hard work on the newsletter; Paula Eaton of South Elgin for first place at the District 1J Brag Board Competition and Linda Scham of Elgin for public relations.

The South Elgin Lions Club is constantly promoting diabetes awareness and provides hearing tests and hearing aids to those in financial need. This club keeps active in the community by participating in South Elgin River Fest, Candy Day, hosting bingo every Saturday night and several fundraisers throughout the year. With the money raised, the club has been able to make donations to South Elgin families in need, Holiday Food Baskets, Operation Jingle Bells, South Elgin Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Little Angels Nursing Home for severely disabled children, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 14 Shop With a Cop, South Elgin Youth Sports Teams, Special Olympics, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and many others. For more information on becoming a member, call (847) 888-9575.

Donna Holder
Joe Jones