South Elgin Lion becomes new governor, receives leadership award
In April, Lion Leo Snyder of South Elgin accepted the nomination to become Governor of Lions Club 1J District for the 2012-2013 year beginning in July.
Leo joined the South Elgin Lions Club in 1995 and he has served his club in several positions on projects and the Board of Directors, including twice as club president, tail twister, first vice president, building manager, and bar steward.
During his 16 years as a South Elgin Lion, he has earned perfect attendance award since becoming a member and has sponsored 51 new members.
Not only has Leo been active in the South Elgin Lions Club, he has also been active on the District level for the last fifteen years by serving on several committees before becoming active on the Board of Directors as a Zone Chair and then a Vice District Governor.
Not only is Leo involved with the Lions, he is also active in the South Elgin community, most notably serving on the South Elgin River Fest Committee for the last fifteen years.
For those who know Leo, he is not one to just sit by when he feels that something needs to be done to help others in need. This passion was evident in May of 1999 when Haysville, Kansas took a direct hit from an F4 Tornado that destroyed parts of the city and killed six residents.
On his own initiative, Lion Leo started a South Elgin Lions fundraiser to raise money for Haysville. He then drove down to Kansas to personally deliver a check for over $3,000 to Haysville Lions Club to be used for the benefit of the Haysville community. For the last three years, he has chaired the Club's Holiday Food Basket, taking the number of baskets distributed from 35 to over 200 and raising over $7,000 each year to benefit the residents of South Elgin.
Over the years Leo has received several awards and honors as a Lion and a citizen of South Elgin. These honors and awards include receiving the Melvin Jones Fellow, Lions of Illinois Foundation Fellow, Lion of the Year from both the South Elgin Lions Club and District 1J Lions and “Outstanding Volunteer” Award from the Village of South Elgin.
Leo stated that he is honored to have been asked to serve as the 2012 Grand Marshall in the Fourth of July Parade for the Village of South Elgin.
Due to Lion Leo's accomplishments and exemplifying what it is to be an a Lion, mentoring new members, and taking the initiative and leading various numerous projects, International President Lion Wing-Kun Tam presented Lion Leo with the “International Presidents Leadership Award” during his recent meeting with club presidents at the South Elgin Lions Club.
This award is the third highest award that is given out on the international level. Upon receipt of this award, Leo stated that he was “shocked and never expected it in a million years.” Also since a meeting from any International President is a very rare event for any local club district or worldwide; it was a great honor for Lion Leo to personally receive his Leadership Award personally from President Tam.