Union County Lions attend District Cabinet and Rally in Gainesville

Front Row: L to R: Lions Gene Little; Jean Graham; Lisa Little; Louise Little; Betty Gurr; Jean Hamburger. Back Row: L to R: Michael Clark; SallyClark; International Director, Jerry Graham; Arthur Gurr; Vic Hamburger District 18-D Annual Rally

What an outstanding afternoon and evening as the following Union County Lions attended the recent District 18-D Cabinet meeting at the Civic Center in Gainesville, Georgia; Arthur and Betty Gurr; Gene and Louise Little and Lisa Little.

Meeting the District Governor’s monetary goals is always a challenge and Union County Lions Club met those goals, contributing to the Georgia Lions Lighthouse; the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind; Leader Dogs for the Blind; Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic; Children’s Eye Care Center; and L.C.I.F. (Lions Club International Foundation), for a total of $3,000.00

Later that evening, the above named Lions were joined by the following Union County Lions for the annual District 18-D Rally: Jean Hamburger; Michael and Sally Clark and Vic Hamburger.

The speaker for the evening was International Director Lion Terry Graham of New Castle, Ontario, Canada who spoke of the importance of Lions in service to those in their local communities, their districts, states, nationally and internationally. He also spoke of the newest Lions International project, Sight First Two. This project is an expanded goal of eradication preventable blindeness in the world. Sight First project viturely wipped out the cause of ‘river blindness’ in third world countries. Director Graham was accompanied by his wife, Lion Jean, also a member of the New Castle Lions Club.

Lion Betty Gurr receiving special certificate from International Director Jerry Graham and to far right is District Governer Ken Thurmond District 18-D Annual Rally

An outstanding night in the fact that several Union County Lions were recognized for their didication and many hours of service to Lionism. Lion Ken Castle, current president of Union County Lions Club, was awarded the ‘President’s Excellent’ lapel pin, however, he was unable to attend the Rally and Lion Lisa Little, current 1st Vice President of Union County Lions Club, accepted the award on his behalf. Lions Gene and Louise Little were recognized for their outstanding work with Membership Retention and Peace Poster, respectively. The surprise of the evening was when Lion Betty Gurr, current secretary of Union County Lions Club, received a special certificate of appreciation from Lions International President Jimmy Ross, in recognition of distinguished achievements in fulfilling the service mission of Lions Clubs, presented to her by International Director Lion Terry Graham.

Lion Betty was recomended for this award by current District Governor of 18-D, Lion Ken Thurmond. Of the 39 Lion Clubs in 18-D with a total membership of 1,300 plus, there were only two such recognitions given and Lion Betty was one of the two. Truely, the Lions of Union

County exemplify the Lions Motto: We Serve.