At a recent luncheon at the Riverside Yacht Club, over 110 attendees came together to commemorate the Greenwich Lions Club’s 100 years of community service and commitment to Greenwich.
The festivities included lunch, a Lions Toast, a Town Proclamation from Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, remarks from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Connecticut State Assembly Certificate from State Representatives Steve Meskers (D-150), Hector Arzeno (D-151) and Rachel Khanna (D-149) and a US House of Representatives Certificate from US Congressman Jim Himes.
Greenwich House Delegation Rachel Khanna, Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno with Nora Parry. Photo: Jessica Reid
CT Attorney General William Tong spoke about the Greenwich Lions and their dedication to service. Photo: Jessica Reid
Allen O’Farrell, a Greenwich Lion member and Lions Past District Governor led the program as Master of Ceremonies.
Keynote Speaker, Mark Lyon, Second Vice President of Lions Club International, spoke of the Lions rich history and numerous accomplishments.
During the luncheon, Mark Lyon, surprised Lions Club of Greenwich President Nora Parry by awarding her the Melvin Jones Fellow award.
“This Fellowship Award is the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism,” Mr. Lyon. “Nora is being recognized as an outstanding individual who models exemplary service to the Greenwich Lions Club and the community for which it serves.” Melvin Jones was the founder of Lions Clubs International.
There were numerous Lions and community members present at the centennial celebration as the Greenwich Lions donate to and partner with several local organizations annually.
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, State Representative Hector Arzeno, CT Attorney General William Tong, Master of Ceremonies Allen O’Farrell, Lions Past District Governor. Photo: Jessica Reid
Greenwich Selectman Lauren Rabin, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter Stephanie Dunn Ashley representing the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol and David Rabin, Executive Director of Greenwich United Way. Photo: Jessica Reid
Photo: Jessica Reid
Photo: Jessica Reid
Photo: Jessica Reid
Photo: Jessica Reid
Alan Gunzburg and Nora Parry. Photo: Jessica Reid
Attending were Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey, Coffee for Good Executive Director Deb Rogan, RN School Nurse Supervisor for the Greenwich Public Schools Jessica Wieneke MSN, Executive Director of Riverhouse Adult Daycare Dee Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter Stephanie Dunn Ashley, and Executive Director of Greenwich United Way David Rabin, to name a few.
The list of contributions by the Greenwich Lions Club to the Greenwich community is endless. Through youth eye sight screenings, their annual Pancake Breakfast, the John Clarke Award and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to local charities and non-profit projects, they have positively impacted the town and residents for a hundred years.
The Lions motto is “We Serve,” as they are known for fighting blindness, serving youth, providing award grants, helping during disasters, caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled.
In September 2016 The Lions Club of Greenwich, chartered in August 1923, and the Old Greenwich Lions Club, chartered in May 1933, merged as the The Lions Club of Greenwich, boasting a proud 100 years of service in our local communities.
More information is available at The Lions Club of Greenwich.
Jessica Wieneke MSN, RN School Nurse Supervisor Greenwich Public Schools and Dee Hernandez Executive Director Riverhouse. Photo: Jessica Reid
The Keynote Speaker was Mark Lyon, Second Vice President of Lions Club International and Nora Parry, Lions Club of Greenwich President. Photo: Jessica Reid
Alexandra Frumin and Deb Rogan, director at Coffee for Good. Photo: Jessica Reid