VERGENNES — The Vergennes Lions Club held its end-of-year dinner meeting on Wednesday, July 7, at the Champlain Valley Christian Reform Church. After the meal, served by Lion Lisa Denton of Ferrisburgh Bake Shop, President Mike Winslow thanked the members who worked so hard during the year to meet the many needs of the community.

Lion Tania Bolduc was thanked for leading a successful fundraiser for VUHS scholarships.

Lions Paul Bessette, Tom Brigan, Ron Childers, Mark Delisle and Gary Russell were thanked for the highly successful car raffle, selling every ticket and netting close to $9,000.

Lion Kathy Dorman received an award from Vermont Lions Charities, and she presented longevity awards to several members: Lions Sue Hayes, 10 years; Betty Kipp, 10 years; Kitty Oxholm, 16 years; Donna Corcoran, 15 years; Mark Delisle,  20 years; Macky Gaines, 20 years; Bill Hopkins, 30 years; Craig Miner, 35 years; Greg Maurer, 45 years; and Scott Lynk, 50 years. 

Lion Harry Curth had the pleasure of initiating Sue O’Daniel as a new Lion. Her husband, Mike, was her sponsor. The club has been fortunate this past year to welcome four new members, including Lion Sid Bosworth, Lion Bruce Zeman and Lion Tammi Zeman.

After the installation of new officers by Past International Director Tom Broughton from the Middlebury Lions Club, he presented additional awards. Lion Tom Brigan was presented the Melvin Jones Fellow Award recognizing all he has done for the club and the community, including being involved with the Fresh Air Program bringing big-city kids to his home. Lion Gary Russell was presented the Progressive Melvin Jones Award in recognition of his contributions to the club and the community, including providing, along with his wife Elaine, a home for otherwise homeless individuals for many years.

Lion Larry Simino, a Vermont Lions’ Past District Governor and a Vergennes Lion since 1964, was also presented a Progressive Melvin Jones Award recognizing his service to the local club and the district.

Melvin Jones was the founder of Lions Clubs International, and the award with his name was created by the organizations charity arm, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).  Millions of dollars in grants have been made throughout the world at times of major disasters, working to eliminate preventable blindness, working to vaccinate children for measles, and funding the Lions Quest Program, which works with youth to develop healthy life choices.

The evening ended with the club thanking President Mike Winslow for his successful year running meetings via Zoom and encouraging members to get involved. He then thanked his board of directors and presented each with a small token of his appreciation.

The next fundraiser was set to be the Annual Charity Auction — which was cancelled in 2020 — on Aug. 4.