News : Local Lion Keith Elwick honored for years of service and membership

Keith poses after the presentation

The Melvin Jones award

Keith was surprised as fellow Lions honored him with an ovation

It wasn't all hand-clapping and hand-shaking

Extended family and family Lions were on hand for the honor

In 210 countries around the world and 46,577 Lions Clubs, a very small number of individuals will receive the Melvin Jones Fellow award. One Vinton Lion did receive the award on Wednesday when 1st District Vice-Governor Jim Tierney presented it to Keith Elwick. Melvin Jones started Lions in Chicago in 1917 and the Melvin Jones Fellow award is one of the highest honors a Lion member can receive. Keith has been a member of the Vinton Lions club since 1964.

On hand to recognize Keith were fellow Lions who are also family members, and Keith’s wife Janet. Mike Timmermans, this year’s local Lions President, praised Keith for his many years of active participation in a group dedicated to serving others.

Vice-Governor Tierney shared some of the larger ongoing charitable causes and recent initiatives of Lions as the organization approaches its 100th year. Among other interesting facts, since 1939 approximately 14,000 leader dogs have been provide for the blind. In addition to training the dogs, recipients receive their own training with the dogs at no cost.

Lions Club International Foundation has made grants of more than $837,000,000 since the Foundation was begun in 1968. In 2014 the Foundation earned the highest level of 4 Stars from Charity Navigator. Recently, Lions Clubs have partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate measles. The Gates Foundation will match, dollar for dollar, if Lions Club International raises $30,000,000 by 2017. Three hundred children die daily from this disease that is now preventable with low-cost vaccinations.

To learn how you can participate in the work of Vinton’s Lions Club, email us at vintonlionsclub@gmail.com, visit our Facebook page, or talk to a Lion you recognize in the photos from Keith’s award presentation.