Three Melvin Jones Awards were given at the Grand Island Lions Installation and Awards dinner on Wednesday June 14th.
Lion
Paul Bassette Committee Chairman, gave background on the Melvin Jones.
The Melvin Jones awards can be given to a Lion or a non-Lion. The
Melvin Jones Fellowship was established as the Lions Club International
Foundation’s highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual’s
dedication to humanitarian service. This is
a person who puts people and human needs first.Outgoing Lion President
Dick Crawford presented the first award to Kevin Kulikowski of Young
Life for ministering to young adults in our community for many years.
Lion Anne Fahning presented the second Melvin Jones award to Shelia
Ferrentino, a 20-year member serving in every capacity in our club
incuding chairing the Exceptionl Kids Picnic. Lion Paul Bassette
presented the 3rd Melvin Jones award to Lion Donna Lavallee who has
been our Recording Secretary for thirteen years, is the clubs Hearing
Chairman and works tirelessly behind the scenes on many committees and
projects for the Lions and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Seen from the left are Paul Bassette, Shelia Ferrentino, Donna Lavallee, Kevin Kulikowski, and Dick Crawford.
The
Grand Island Lions Club held their Installation and Awards Dinner at
the Bridgeview Tavern on Wednesday June 14th. 2023. Outgoing Lions
President Dick Crawford hands off the symbolic gavel to incoming
President Kelly McGarvey while Lion Jim Ryan looks on. Officers
Inducted are: Kelly McGarvey- President, Tom Rusert-1st Vice President,
Tom Witkowski-Treasurer, Jim Ryan-Corresponding Secretary, Donna
Lavallee-Recording Secretary, Ashley and Tom Digati-Lion Tamer/Tail
Twister, Paul Bassette-Director, Susan Standora-Director, Anne
Fahning-Director, Shelia Ferrentino-Mambership chair, Dave
Chervinsky-Publicity Chair, and Dick Crawford- Immediate Past President.
2022-23 Installation and Awards Banquet
held
on June 8th at the Buffalo Launch Club on Grand Island.
The Grand Island Lions Club held their Installation and awards Banquet
at the Buffalo Launch Club on Wednesday June 8th. Past District
Governor, Lion Jeff Jarvis installed our Board of Directors for the
2022/23 year. Pictured from the left, are Lions Jarvis, Dick Crawford
(President), Anne Fahning and Tom Rusert (Directors), Jim Ryan
(corresponding secretary), Paul Bassette (director), Tom Witkowski
(Treasurer), Donna Lavallee (Recording Secretary), and Kelly McGarvey
(First Vice President). Not present were Lions Second Vice President
Shelia Ferrentino, Director Henry Lobl, and Lion Tamer/ Tail Twisters
Ashley and Tom Digati.
The Lions also gave out various awards. Lions
outgoing President, Paul Krupa, received The Robert J. Uplinger
Distinguished Service Award. Established in 1993, the award honors
outstanding Lions and non-Lions or organizations who perform exemplary
service to a Club, District, or community. These honorees possess the
highest examples of Lionistic character, ideals, purpose, and service.
Over his 25-year career Lion Paul served two clubs in New York State,
was Grand Island Club President twice, and served on many committees
and programs.
Lion Tom Rusert and Community leader and former
Grand Island Town Supervisor, Mary Cooke received The Lions Club
International Foundation Melvin Jones Award. The award is the LCIF’s
highest honor and is given to a lion’s member or citizen for
outstanding humanitarian service. Lion Tom is a long time Club member
and former Club President who has, during his 24 years of service,
spearheaded Lions donations to the Neighbors Foundation, collecting
many thousands of dollars’ worth of food and donations over the years.
He is instrumental in growing the Club as Membership Chairman, bringing
in new members on a regular basis. He has maintained a key role with
the Lions Special Kids Picnic, using his boat to give children the
thrill of a boat ride, and is one of the chief cooks at the Lions
Spaghetti Dinner. Mary Cooke is a longtime community leader who has
taught Life and Careers to many students, served as President of our
Library Board, Relay for Life, and the Grand Island Historical Society.
She is a former Grand Island Councilwoman and Town Supervisor. She is a
lector at St Stephens Church and has volunteered at Trinity United
Methodist Church's Clothing store and helps with many clothing drives.
Awards Chairman Lion Paul Bassette (left) and Lion Dave Chervinsky
stand with Robert J. Uplinger recipient Lion Paul Krupa at the Lions
June 8th Installation Dinner.
Lion Tom Rusert holds his Melvin Jones Award at the Lions June 8th
Installation Dinner. Past recipients with him are Lion Paul Bassette
and Lion Anne Fahning.
Grand Islands Mary Cooke displays her Melvin Jones Award. Seen with her are Lion Paul Bassette (left) and Lion Tom Withkowski.
The Antique Boat Club presented
a check to the Grand Island Lions Club in support of the Exceptional
Kids Picnic. Several members of the Antique Boat Club have participated
in the picnic by donating their time with the boat rides and support in
other areas. Sharon Dickinson, President of
the Club, along with Rocky Nagel, presented a check of $1000 in support
of the Exceptional Kids Picnic. Pictured from the left Rocky Nagel,
Lion Tom Rusert, Sharon Dickenson, Lions Anne Fahning, Dick Crawford,
and Shelia Ferrentino.
Lion Anne Fahning, Boat
Chairman of the Lions Exceptional Picnic, presented a Certificate of
Appreciation to David Bunis for his service of donating his time and
boat during the Kids Picnic for the past 40 years! Pictured from the
left, First Mate Barbara Graham, David Bunis, Lions Anne Fahning, Dick
Crawford, and Shelia Ferrentino.
Presentation of Robert J Uplinger Distinguished Service Award:
After the Peace Poster Contest winners did their talks on their Peace
Posters, the Grand Island Lions Club presented a Robert J. Uplinger
Distinguished Service Award to Andrew “Drew” Dulak. This
award was established in l993 that honors outstanding Lions and
non-Lions or organizations who perform exemplary service to a Lions
Club, Lions Club district or community. The award is named in honor of Past Lions Club International President Robert J. Uplinger serving in l971. The award is presented as a recognition of the recipient’s service. These honorees possess the highest examples of Lionistic character, ideals, purpose, and service. This award is the highest award available in the Lions Multiple District 20. The
Grand Island Lions Club presented this award to Andrew “Drew” Dulak for
his outstanding contribution of having young people ages 11-13 to
participate in the Peace Poster Contest. “Drew”
Dulak has given 20 years of Peace Poster service of his 23 years of
teaching as an art teacher at the Grand Island Connor Middle School. The
Grand Island Lions Club deeply appreciate his efforts year after year
to make the Peace Poster Contest a successful learning experience for
young people ages 11-13. Pictured are left to right; Lion President Dick Crawford, Andrew “Drew” Dulak, Esther Dulak, and Lion Paul Bassette.
The Grand Island Lions Club held
its annual Peace poster Contest last fall and honored its winners at
its May 24 Lions Club meeting held at the Bridgeview Tavern, Grand
Island. The Peace Poster Contest is a Lions
Club International project that allows young people ages 11-13 to think
about and express their thoughts of peace thru artistic interpretation. These
expressions of peace should help these young people with greater
tolerance for others and for better international understanding. Their creative art work expresses what peace means to them.
The theme of this Peace Poster Contest was “Lead with Compassion.” The posters are judged on expression of theme, artistic merit, and originality. The 1st place winner was Hadley Dahlgren who received a $100 cash award. The 2nd place winner was Gabriel Scibilia who received a $50 cash award. Esther Dulak who was one of our four honorable mentioned received a $25 cash award. All three young people are from the Veronica Connor Middle School, Grand Island. There were 48 students participating in the contest. Each
of the three young people gave a show and tell of their Peace Posters
at the Lions Club meeting and explained what peace means to them. pictured left to right, Esther Dulak, Hadley Dahlgren, Gabriel Scibilia, Lion Paul Bassette Peace Poster Chair
On Wednesday October 11th 2017, the
Grand Island Lions Club held their annual joint meeting with their Lions Sister
Club from Merritton Ontario. The meeting was held at the Moose Lodge on Grand
Island Boulevard, arranged by Lions Past President Dick Crawford, and catered
by McMahon’s Restaurant. All had a good time
until the President's gavel was borrowed by some unknown perpetrator and had to
be bought back to avoid it from being smuggled into Canada.
On Saturday September 30th the Grand
Island Lions packed up excess durable medical equipment from their loan closet
and donated it to St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo. The Lions donate free of
charge to anyone in need, medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers,
shower seats, commodes, crutches and canes. See the Lions website, www.gilions.com, for contact information.
Excess equipment is often shipped out to other communities in need. Pictured
with one of two truckloads of equipment, are from the left: Dave Chervinsky,
Dan Morabito. Tom Rusert, Anne Fahning, Olivia Corcoran, Norm Hahn, Danielle
Rose, Kelley McGarvey, Donna Lavallee, Shelia Ferrentino, and Dick Crawford.
On Saturday September 30th the Grand Island Lions packed up excess durable
medical equipment from their loan closet and donated it to St. Luke’s Mission
of Mercy in Buffalo. The Lions donate free of charge to anyone in need,
medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower seats, commodes,
crutches and canes. See the Lions website,
www.gilions.com, for contact information. Excess equipment is
often shipped out to other communities in need. Pictured with one of two
truckloads of equipment, are from the left: Dave Chervinsky, Dan Morabito. Tom
Rusert, Anne Fahning, Olivia Corcoran, Norm Hahn, Danielle Rose, Kelley
McGarvey, Donna Lavallee, Shelia Ferrentino, and Dick Crawford.
Lions Annette Boies-Lobl, Tom Witkowski, and Paul Bassette
present the Melvin Jones Award to Henry Kammerer. Henry is a long time Rotarian
and has been with the Grand Island Neighbors Foundation almost since it was
founded close to 40 years ago. Thru his leadership, there have been
1,000’s of individuals being helped with needed food and basic necessities of
life here on Grand Island The Melvin Jones award is the
Lions Club International Foundations highest honor and is given to a lion’s
member or citizen for outstanding humanitarian service.
Lions who
attended our January 11th meeting pose with Lion President
Dick Crawford as he presents our Guest Speaker, Maria Kraus with a check for
$100 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). MDA has served over 100k
individuals throughout the USA. The
local MDA hosts a summer camp in Rush NY for 1 week for children. Last year 72 children attended with
counselors the last week of June. Local retailers help raise money for the camp
by “selling” paper shamrocks in March in support of the camp. The MDA in Buffalo also has a loan closet
that has wheelchairs, beds, and walkers.
Maria answered questions and was invited to attend the SKP in July.
At our 60th Anniversary Celebration, held at the Buffalo Launch Club on October 26th 2016, Lion
Donna Lavallee presented Lion Bob Goulding with a Certificate of Appreciation for his 60 years of
service to the Riverside and Grand Island Lions Clubs. Congratulations Lion Bob!
Our Lions Club, selling popcorn and cookies, and doing some self promotion at the "Taste of Grand Island."
It was a rewarding and fun day with many of our Club members coming out to help. Pictured from Left to right are
Lions Bob Goulding, Jerry Dubiel, Tom Witkowski and Paul Krupa.
Absent
a Leo's club on Grand Island it's nice to see young people helping.
Olivia Corcoran has been involved in Lions events since she was 3 yrs
old.
Now at 10 years old, she raised $45 at Our Lions Club
Fathers Day garage sale and cook out at her Lemonade stand.
Her goal was $80 Maybe next year!
Shown with Olivia are Lions outgoing President Tom Rusert on the left and current Lions President Dick Crawford.
The
May 25th Grand Island Lions Club meeting was held in honor of the
2015-2016 Peace Poster Contest 1st and 2nd place winners. The
theme for the contest was “Share Peace”. The objective of the
contest is to allow these young people from ages 11-13 to think about
and express their thoughts of peace through artistic
interpretation. These expressions of peace should help these
young people with greater tolerance for others and for better
international understanding. Their creative artwork expresses
what peace means to them. Pictured is T.J. Bender from the Grand Island
Middle School with his 1st place Peace Poster along with his parents
Jennifer and Jonathan Bender. T.J. did a brief “show and tell” of
his winning Peace Poster and explained what peace means to him.
Lion Paul Bassette, the Peace Poster Chair, is on the left. The
2nd place winner was Hailey Watches from the Grand Island Middle School
with her Peace Poster at the right. Hailey was unable to attend
the meeting to receive her honor.
Lion Anne Fahning recently returned from the “Hopeful Ways” Medical Mission in Nicaragua and along with
Pendleton Lion Brian Mau spoke to our club of their experiences at our March 23rd 2016 meeting.
As one of his last official functions, retiring Library
Director Lynn Alan Konovitz is seen here receiving a check for $500.00 from
Lions Club Treasurer Tom Witkowski. Posing with them are Lions Vice President
Dick Crawford and Lion Tamer Anne Fahning. As part of the Lions ongoing
mission, our Grand Island Lions Club annually donates to the Grand Island
Library for the purchase large prints books for the sight impaired. To date
over $10,000 has been donated for this purpose.
On
November 3rd, the Grand Island Lions donated durable medical equipment
to the Tuscorora Health Center in Lewiston. The Lions donate free of
charge to anyone in need, medical equipment such as wheelchairs,
walkers, shower seats, comodes, crutches and canes. Excess equipment is
often shipped out to other communities in need. Pictured at the Health
Clinic are from left, Lions Pual Krupa, Dave Chervinsky and Henry
Lobl.
The Grand Island Lions held their Installation
Dinner and Awards Banquet for the 2015-16 year on June 10 at Byblos Resort and
Spa. The Lions International Foundation Melvin Jones Awards were given to Mary
Dunbar-Daluisio and Lion Dan Morabito while Lion Fred Ruocco received a Robert
Uplinger Distinguished Service Award. Lions Dick Crawford and Paul Bassette
performed the Installation Ceremony of Officers. Pictured are the Lions Board
of Directors from left to right: Director Paul Krupa, Third Vice President
Henry Lobl, Corresponding Secretary Annette Boies-Lobl, Director Dave
Chervinsky, Lion Twister Fred Ruocco, Second Vice President Dick Crawford,
President Tom E. Rusert, and Director Brooks Rimes. Not present were First Vice
President Mike Steinagel, Treasurer Tom Witkowski, Recording Secretary Donna
Lavallee, Director Norm Hahn, and Lion Tamer Anne Fahning.
On Wednesday June 10th, The Grand Island Lions
Club awarded Mary Dunbar-Daluisio and Lion Dan Morabito with the Lions Club
International Foundation Melvin Jones Award at their annual Installation Dinner
held at Byblos Niagara Resort and Spa. The award is the LCIF’s highest honor
and is given to a lion’s member or citizen for outstanding humanitarian
service. Mary Dubar-Daluisio has been instrumental in the Grand Island Relay
for Life since its inception in 2003 and served as co-chairman from 2004 to 2012.
During that time the fundraiser has brought in over one million dollars for
cancer research. Lion Dan Morabito a past president of the Grand Island Lions
Club has served the Grand Island Lions actively for the twenty years and he has
worked tirelessly on our fundraisers and the Grand Island Lions “Special Kids
Picnic.” Lion Dan has also been a Scout
leader for many years and was instrumental in setting up scouting at School 84
for children with special needs. Pictured are past and current award winners left
to right: Dick Crawford, Dunbar-Daluisio, Dave Chervinsky, Morabito, and Paul
Bassette.
Lion
Fred Ruocco received The Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award at the
Grand Island Lion Installation and Awards Dinner held on June 10th
at Byblos Resort and Spa. Established in 1993, the award honors outstanding
Lions and non-Lions or organizations who perform exemplary service to a Club,
District, or community. These honorees possess the highest examples of
Lionistic character, ideals, purpose, and service. Pictured and shown with past
Uplinger Award winners from left to right are: Paul Bassette, Annette
Boies-Lobl, Dave Chervinsky, Ruocco, and Dick Crawford.
New Member: At our May 13th meeting Kelly
McGarvey was inducted into our club.
Lion Paul Bassette performed the ceremony and is seen here with Lion Kelly (on
Right) along with her sponsor Lion Shelia Ferrentino.
The Grand Island Lions Club recently donated durable medical equipment to the Tuscarora Nation Health Center.
Pictured is Lion Henry Lobl with a truckload of walkers, wheelchairs, canes, shower seats and commodes.
Lions
District 20N Governor Mike Lawkowski was the guest speaker at the Grand
Island Lions September 24th dinner meeting held at the
Buffalo Launch Club. Governor Mike spoke about ways of making our, and all Lions clubs, more vibrant in the community and
the International Presidents call for Lions to do 100 million acts of kindness before our 100th Anniversary in 2017.
Pictured Lt to Rt: PDG Kimberly Stribing, District20N and Grand Island Lions Secretary Tom Witkwski, DG Mike Lawkowski,
GI Lions President Donna Lavallee, Past District Governor Bob Shivley and Lioness Joan Shivley..
The Grand Island Lions White Cane Days were a huge success on August 15 and 16th.
The Grand Island Community once again supported the Lions Club with donations totaling $2725.00.
These funds are used to support eyesight and hearing projects.
The Lion members want to thank all those individuals who contributed money and the
management of Tops and 1st Niagara Bank who participated.
Pictured collecting donations at Tops Markets is Lion Fred Ruocco donning the Lions costume.
August
3rd was Lions Day at the Miracle League Field. Before the games were
started Lions and Miracle League staff and players posed for photos.
Lion President Donna Lavallee presented a two thousand
dollar check to Miracle League Commissioner Jeff Hocutt The funding was
obtained through a grant submitted to the Brandel-Murphy Youth
Foundation.
Lions Club District 20N Governor Gary Carini presents a check for $75,000 to Teresa Hooper,
President of Miracle League of Grand Island and Western New York. Also present 2nd
from left Grand Island Lions President Dave Chervinsky, 2nd Vice President Tom Witkowski
and Grand Island Lions and Miracle League member Mike Steinagel.