News : Lions Club members Ohrt, Wilberg receive unique awards

Rick Ohrt, left and Mark Wilberg each received one of the highest awards bestowed upon Lions Club members. Two Vinton Lions Club members received special awards at the group's meeting on Wednesday. Mark Wilberg received the Warren Coleman Award and Rick Ohrt the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. District Governor Ed Ottesen joined Club President Sara Stuefen in presenting the honors The Coleman Award presented to Wilber is the highest honor conferred by the Iowa Lions Foundation; recipients join the ranks of some of the state's most prominent Lions. Wilberg was chosen for this honor because of many of the projects he has led since joining the Lions in 2003. A Past President, Wilberg is the Sight and Hearing Committee Chair, leading the club's effort in collecting eyeglasses and arranging eye screenings which the club offers to free to help detect vision problems in the youngest citizens of the Vinton area. "Lion Mark also works tirelessly on our concession trailer. He stores and moves the trailer and parade float every time we move them," said Stuefen. "His efforts have been a key factor in our club's success in raising considerable funds to donate to many local causes." During the presentation, Stuefen thanked Wilberg for the example of leadership and service he has shown the club. Wilberg's wife, Deb, attended the meeting to join the Lions in congratulating him on this award. Ohrt's family also joined him at the Pizza Ranch to celebrate his award. The Melvin Jones Fellowship in named in honor of the founder of the Lions Club International. The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award represents dedication to humanitarian service in the highest degree. Stuefen thanked Ohrt, who joined the Lions in 2007, for his many efforts to help the club. "Lion Rick has worked hard to help our cause, applying his talents in many ways," said Stuefen. "He used his expertise to keep our old concession trailer ticking along and to completely wire our new trailer. He worked diligently to get the new trailer up and running, and his work has made it the premier concession trailer in our area. Because of his work, we are able to more efficiently serve our customers and our volunteers are happier in the new environment." Stuefen also praised Ohrt for offering his IT and electrical skills to local churches and organizations, and only asking for a donation to the Lions Club as payment for those services. "Also, thanks to his coordination efforts, Rick turned the scrap metal drive concept into a successful community-wide project," Stuefen added. "We are grateful for everything he has done and continues to do for our club and community." In addition to honoring the Lions, Stuefen showed the Club the new banner recently completed by Kathy Luze. The banner includes patches the Club an its members have earned through a variety of specific projects and efforts to build the club membership.