Kendall Lions present annual awards, with Zina Cappotelli the Lion of the Year

Provided photos: Lions Club member Helen Unterborn, left, and Kendall Lions Club President Eric Maxon, right, present Zina Cappotelli with the 2023 Lion of the Year Award.

Press Release, Kendall Lions Club

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club held its annual Officer Installation and Awards Dinner on Thursday.

At the meeting Lion Randy Unterborn installed our incoming officers for the 2023-2024 year. The following will lead the club: Eric Maxon, president; Zina Cappotelli, vice president; Steve Giverson, secretary; Julie Bunn, treasurer; Tom Minigiello, Mindy Zyra, Kurt Charland & Bill Ingham, board of directors.

In addition, several members were recognized for their service and leadership in the community and our Lions Club. Zina Cappotelli was awarded the Lion of the Year. Cappotelli has been a member of our club for four years and has actively served our club in many of our service projects and in her role as vice president. She has assumed the role of scheduler for tent rentals, our biggest fundraiser.

Lions Club member Ken DeRoller, left, and President Eric Maxon, right, present Frank Panczyszyn with a Robert J. Uplinger Award for service to the community.

The Robert J. Uplinger Award was presented to Frank Panczyszyn, who has been an active and enthusiastic member for 18 years. He organizes our twice-yearly visit to the Batavia VA hospital where we provide a bingo night for the residents and actively participates in our service, fundraising and social activities.

He is active not only in our club activities but in the community as well, even while wintering in the south. Panczyszyn is active with the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association, emceeing their summer concert series and many activities supporting veterans.

Kendall Lions Club member Gary Crawford, left, and President Eric Maxon, right, present Bill Ingham with a Career Lion Award recognizing his active membership and long-term service to the club.

A Career Lion was presented to William Ingham, who has been an active member of the club for 42 years and has served in many leadership roles. He takes an active role in service projects whether it be driving tractor for the annual hayride or cooking at the BBQ, steak roast, spaghetti dinner or highway cleanup. For many years, Ingham organized and hosted the hospitality room at the State Conventions and is always present at our meetings, offering the board of directors his expertise from many years of service.

Kendall Lions Club President Eric Maxon presents June Knapp with a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest award a Lion can receive. Looking on is her husband, Clarendon Lions Club member Don Knapp.

A Melvin Jones Fellowship was awarded to long time member June Knapp. When she transferred to our club, she became the first female member of the Kendall Lions Club opening the door and setting the example for many more who follow in her footsteps.

Knapp and her husband, Clarendon Lions Club member Don Knapp, have been representing the Kendall Lions at both District and State Conventions for many years and are the first to sign up to help at our activities and meetings. When they wintered in Florida, they also provided service through their participation with the Bradenton Lions Club.