By TC WILDERNEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- Marion Griswold has been installed as president of the New Smyrna Beach Lions Club.
Elected and installed to serve with her for 2008-'09 year are Larry Hutchings, first vice president; Larry Topham, second vice president; Michael Startek, secretary; Wayne Jeffrey, treasurer; Norman Orel, tail twister; Harry Griswold, lion tamer; Ed Nunn, membership; Karen Watson and Bud Marsh, two year directors; Don Kruck and Libby Malmberg, one year directors; and Rex Malmberg, outgoing president.
Past District Governor Ray “Rocky” Siracusa, Port Orange, was the installing officer.
Larry Hutchings was recognized as “Lion of the Year” and was presented a recognition plaque by the previous year recipient, Rex Malmberg at the June 23 meeting.
PDG Siracusa presented Norman Orel a “Certificate of Appreciation” from outgoing District 35-O Governor Roger Vonland for having served as Zone 4 chairman during the 2007-'08 year.
Club secretary Mike Startek presented attendance pins to Karen Watson, 2 years; Rhoda Spruiell, Larry Topham, Ann Hogue and LaLang Pride, 3 years; Oretha Bell, Libby Malmberg, Rex Malmberg and Mildred White, 4 years.
Hutchings gave a report on the club’s used eyeglasses collection program for the past year. He said that from the more than a dozen collection boxes located throughout the Edgewater – New Smyrna Beach area the club received for recycling 3398 pairs of eyeglasses, 838 pairs of sunglasses, 1950 pairs of lenses, 1400 eyeglass cases, as well as 21 used hearing aids.
All the vision items are sent to a Lions Central Florida sorting and recycling center, with most of them being sent to Third World Countries where they are fitted and given to needy residents of all ages. The hearing aids are taken to the Hearing Aid Center, 219 Canal S., where they are cleaned, checked and given to area financially qualifying residents who contact the Lions Club for help.