Albion Lions Club celebrates a century of service
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Marie Snyder, president of the Albion Lions Club, is presented a proclamation from Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Friday in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Albion Lions Club.
The Lions celebrated a century of service to the community on Friday during a banquet at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
Snyder joined the club three years ago, and started as president in July. The Lions meet the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street.
“I like the camaraderie and being able to do things for the community,” Snyder said.
The club and some of the dignitaries stand for the Lions Toast: “Not above you, Noth beneath you, But with you.”
The club welcomed its members for the 100th anniversary celebration, as well as Lions Club members from Kendall, Lyndonville, Medina, Clarendon, Gates Greece, Brockport, Syracuse and Downtown Rochester. (The Lions Club in Syracuse is also celebrating its 100th anniversary.)
The Albion Lions Club officers currently include Marie Snyder, president; Barb Navarra, vice president; Mary Janet Sahukar, secretary; Lloyd Wright, treasurer; and Ben Lennox, the tail twister.
Other members include Ron Albertson, Ocie Bennett, Christine Buongiorne, Lynn Burgess, Dan Conrad, Kelly Conrad, Kevin Howard, Gary Katsanis, David Mitchell, Kristen Ostrander, Dan Parker, June Persia, Bill Robinson, Dr. Satya Sahukar, Dennis Smith, Henry Smith Jr. and Jake Stinson.
The banquet included a observance for members who recently passed away, including John Keding, Robert Galbreath, Rev. Wilfred Moss, Ben Jones and Jonathan Doherty.
A table displays Lions Club artifacts and name badges for members from many decades ago. There were also photo albums highlighting club activities through the years.
The club remains busy with projects in Albion, including an annual spring clean-up, Mother’s Day rose sale, annual geranium sale near Memorial Day, Strawberry Festival sausage booth, Rock the Park sausage booth, John A. Keding memorial cookout to support scholarship in his name, eye screening at elementary school done with Medina Lions Club, used eye glass and hearing aid collection (drop boxes at Hoag Library and Five Star Bank), various scholarships and award to graduating students at Albion, support disaster relief, hunger relief in the community, others in need in Albion, and Lions Camp Badger in Tompkins County.
Melanie Adams, a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and a former district governor, said the Albion Lions Club has always been welcoming to her.
She praised the club for helping to spearhead the upgrades at Bullard Park in Albion, a park “that has blossomed into an amazing showcase.”
The Lions Club also works on other community projects and fundraisers throughout the year.
“Where there is a need, there is a Lion,” she said.
Jim Hancock, president of Medina Lions Club, congratulated the Albion club on its 100th. The Medina Lions started in 1935.
The head table leads in singing, “Hail, Hail, the Lions are Here. Don’t you hear them roaring?”
Lloyd Wright, at left, has been a member of the club for 23 years. He visited the club after being invited by long-time member Dan Parker. Wright said he had more free time in his retirement and is glad he become a Lion.
“I enjoy helping people out and giving back to the community,” he said.
Aubrey Gannon holds the first place poster she created for the Lions Club’s 100th anniversary. Some Albion art students worked on the posters last June.
Erin Weese, left, holds a poster that was in third place. Isabella Gray created the second place poster at right.
