Dew Honored by Fellow Lions

In its 74 year history, the Sanford Lions Club Thursday, June 25, bestowed for the first time the club’s premier award, Lion of the Year, upon a female member. Honored by fellow club members was Teresa Dew who has done a yeoman’s job for Lionism since becoming the first female member in 2004.

The local service club also installed new officers for the 2009-2010 club year which included the Leo Club consisting of teenagers and presented numerous other awards. A large crowd of members, spouses, and guests attended.

Outgoing President John Walden, Jr. praised the new Lion of the Year for going above and beyond in her service to the club. “Whether it’s the Lee Regional Fair, organizing and selling tickets for fundraisers, or spearheading projects like pancake breakfasts and support for the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Teresa Dew is always there leading others and working hard,” Walden said.

She was coordinator this year of the Day-Timer’s Branch Club which she organized after becoming a Lion. Dew often attends the regular Thursday night Lions meetings to report on or conduct business as well as the Branch Club’s lunch meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays. In the past two years she and other Branch Club members have raised some $4,000 for Lions International projects for the blind, $2,000 to purchase new tables and chairs at the fairgrounds, and this year raised $3,800 for the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Dew began her involvement with the Lions through a cooperative Habitat for Humanity project for which she worked at the time. “I was impressed with the Lions organization and their hard work and I shared their mission of helping the visually impaired, the needy, and youth in our community. So, I jumped at the chance to join when invited by Dowe Smith who sponsored me,” Dew said.

In addition to spearheading the Day-Timer’s club, Dew led efforts to expand attractions at the annual Lee Regional Fair including the beauty pageants and cheerleading competition. She serves on the Lions Fair Steering Committee which oversees the large operation. She is also active in other community affairs including serving on the board of the Christian United Outreach Center.

Dew is employed at Harvey Financial Services owned by George Harvey who also is a Lions club leader. She has two sons, Ricky, a Fayetteville fireman, and Dustin, a senior at Appalachian State University.

Sanford Lion David Martin was recognized by the club for completion of a highly successful year as District Governor of District 31-F. Martin was also honored with an award from Lion’s International for outstanding service including the chartering of three new clubs in the district. He said he was honored that his last official club visit during his tenure was at his home club. Martin praised Sanford Lions for blazing a trail of success in North Carolina noted by its producing a dozen district governors of whom he is proud to be among.

Martin then asked all new officers to come forward for the installation ceremony including those from the Thursday night club, the Day-Timer’s Branch Club, and the Leo Club.

President for the coming club year is Richard Hendley and president-elect is Dr. Marvin Joyner. Don Morton is first vice president while Nick Novosel will serve as second vice-president. Returning as secretary is Dan Hruby as is treasurer John Burns. Bob Nelson will serve as tail twister and Richard Holshouser will fill the Lion tamer position.
Members of the Board of Directors serving with the officers are Don Dollar, Bill Whiteman, Teresa Dew, and Bill Schubert.

The new slate of officers for the Day-Timer’s Branch Club includes Coordinator Kimberly Cummings, Vice Coordinator Nancy Kimble, and Tail Twister Marie Profio.

Leo Club officers for the new year are President Taylor Batten, Vice President Brianne Schlott, Secretary Brandy Gregson, Treasurer Jayne-Anne Patrick, Historian Meghan Miller, Social Director Anna Johns, and Tail Twister Steven Wright. Lion Melissa Hilliard is the liaison between the Lions and the youth organization.

More than two dozen club members were recognized by outgoing president Walden for playing various roles in the organization this past year. Also, Scholarship Committee Chairman Roy Cashion announced the 2009 winner of a $1,000 college scholarship. She is Velvet McClurkin who graduated from Lee County High School where she was very involved in academic and extra-curricular activities. She will enter N.C. State University this fall. Assisting Cashion on the scholarship committee are Mike Womble, Bob Nelson, and Jim Romine.

The evening ended on a humorous note as the annual presentation of the Motor Mouth Award went to Lion Ismael Rivera. Several past recipients, with tongue in cheek, spoke of the pride they felt upon winning the award and the proper dignity it deserves—even if it’s just a trash can painted gold which must be prominently displayed in the winners home during the coming year.