The Lions held their awards night June 14 at their meeting location in East Boothbay.  Next year's officers have already been voted on and elected.  Dr. Jay Andrews has once again received the King Lion vote. This will be his 4th term.  Also returning are Barbara Wallace as treasurer and Karen Nickerson as secretary. Mark Jones will be 1st vice president and filling in for Dr. Jay from time to time. Typically Lions clubs like to have new officers each year but it has become increasingly difficult to find new members.  The offices aren’t hard or time consuming but there are rules and bylaws to follow.  How about giving it a try? District #41 Maine Lions set up training throughout the year and the District Governor team is always ready to give a helping hand.  Lion Karen is finishing up her year as Global Leadership Team who set up those training sessions.  Becoming a member of a service team could be the best thing you’ve ever done.

In other news, awards night had five members receiving their year pins. King Lion Jay 35 years, Mark Jones 30 years, Duane Lewis 10 years, Mary Tilton 15 years and Celeste Brown 30 years. Lion Glenn Tilton presented our King Lion with the Lion of the Year pin and certificate. This recipient of this award is chosen by secret membership ballot for a Lion who has gone above and beyond and not necessarily the one who “Roared” the loudest. Lion Jay is very deserving of this award.  

Our King Lion presented two Presidents Awards this year. Duane Lewis for always being there no matter what is asked of him and Secretary Karen Nickerson for helping out the President throughout the year. Congratulations to all! 

We normally take a two-month summer break but this year members will meet once in July and once in August before resuming our regular two monthly meetings in September. We have several ideas for fundraisers this next year - some new and some repeats. We also would like to work with other nonprofits on the peninsula to raise funds for a very worthwhile project. Stay tuned!

What do the Lions do? Collect eyeglasses, cell phones and hearing aids that get distributed throughout the world. Locally we have helped with Project Graduation, tuxedos for the boys for the Grand March, Santa funds for BRES and BRHS, BRHS donor book program, YMCA camp, Camp Susan Curtis, Cal Ripken baseball team shirts, the list goes on and on. We also paid for a new kitchen sink to be installed at the EBB Fire Station. We have given over $18,000 this year alone to various requests for help.

Let us know if you’d like to know more and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We need you and your community needs you!