Lions Club celebrates 50 years of service to Kendall community
Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club – (Left) Lions Club President Zina Cappotelli is shown accepting a proclamation from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. (Right) Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak presented a citation to the Lions Club on behalf of the Legislature.
Article by Helen Unterborn, Kendall Lions Club member
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions on Saturday celebrated 50 years of service to the Kendall Community. Members, their families and guests gathered at the Hamlin VFW for dinner, a program and display honoring our members past and present.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak both presented official citations recognizing the service of the Kendall Lions Club. The guest speakers were Korey K. Brown, Monroe County Undersheriff and Holly Dutcher, Executive Director of C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.
Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown Monroe County Undersheriff shares his family’s journey with childhood cancer, which has twice affected his grandson Joel.
Undersheriff Brown shared his family’s cancer journey with their grandson Joel and how he is giving back to C.U.R.E. in appreciation for their help and to raise awareness of childhood cancer. During September, Childhood Cancer Month, he completes a 5K every day to raise funding and awareness for C.U.R.E.
Dutcher then shared the work of C.U.R.E. And the resources and assistance they provide to families. This past February the proceeds of the Kendall Lions annual Chicken BBQ were designated for C.U.R.E., and a check for $6,500 was presented to the organization at the dinner on Saturday.
Kendall Lion President President Zina Cappotelli (middle) presents a check for $6,500 to Holly Dutcher, executive director C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer and Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown, who is an active volunteer for the organization.
The Kendall Lions Club has been very active serving the Kendall community since it was chartered on January 28, 1975, under the leadership of charter president Ray Ernenwein. From early in our existence, the Kendall Lions Club has had an impact on the community in big and little ways.
The Lions Club played a significant role in creating the Kendall Medical Center and bringing Kendall its first doctor. As time went on, the Lions club helped the fire department purchase a new truck and a new ambulance. The club has also made important donations to our school by donating such things as vision testing machines, nebulizers and AEDs.
We were one of the original supporters of Camp Abilities, a week-long camp at Brockport College for visually impaired students. To this day we continue to cook a dinner for the campers annually.
For most of our existence, we invite parents to bring their Pre-K to 3rd grade students to come for a wagon ride to a Pumpkin Patch for a free pumpkin, donut and cup of cider. We also celebrate the accomplishments to each senior class at our Senior Breakfast at a local facility.
A banner marks the Kendall Lions Club’s 50th anniversary.
Each year, on Superbowl Saturday we have a Chicken BBQ with the proceeds going to a local family in serious need, to the school or to a non-profit organization.
In 2018, our community was stunned by the tragic deaths of a single mother and her son to carbon monoxide poisoning. The Kendall Lions responded by teaming with the Kendall Fire Department providing and installing free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to any community member who wanted them.
Most recently, our club raised the funds and provided AEDs to each of the churches in the Kendall Community.
In addition, we also play Bingo with the vets at the VA in Batavia twice a year. We have an emergency fund and a medical loan closet to support community members as needs arise. We sponsor an Environmental Cleanup Day and a Fourth Grade Forester Program on Arbor Day (we give each 4th grader a tree to bring home to plant). We give scholarships to graduating seniors, are the district’s hub for eye glass collections and offer free eye exams and glasses to students in need.
As you can see, for our entire existence, the Kendall Lions Club has proudly and tirelessly lived up to our motto, “We Serve.”
Lions Club members and guests celebrate the milestone anniversary for the service organization.