Melvin Jones Award
Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879 in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm and in 1913 formed his own agency.
He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen's luncheon group, and was shortly elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. "What if these men," he asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?" Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born. It was stipulated that clubs were not to be social in nature nor were members permitted to promote their own business interests.
Awards
Melvin Jones Award Recipients
Neil Polaski - Melvin Jones Fellow 1987
Frank McLean - Melvin Jones Fellow 1987
William Mattson - Melvin Jones Fellow 1996, Pres 1992
Todd Horness - Melvin Jones Fellow 1997, Pres 1996
Rodney Hanson - Melvin Jones Fellow 1997
Kenneth Roth - Melvin Jones Fellow 1998
Ted Dullum - Melvin Jones Fellow 1998, PPres 1996
Roger Reynolds - Melvin Jones Fellow 1999
Jim Dullum - Melvin Jones Fellow 1999, Pres 1991
Lee Heurung - Melvin Jones Fellow 1999, Pres 1994
Ted Schaefer - Melvin Jones Fellow 1999, Pres 1997
Robert Hurst - Melvin Jones Fellow 1999, Pres 1998
Bruce Gately - Melvin Jones Fellow 2000, Pres 1983
John Weizenegger - Melvin Jones Fellow 2001
Wes Anderson - Melvin Jones Fellow 2002
Richard Bergman - Melvin Jones Fellow 2004
Christian Jensen - Melvin Jones Fellow 2004
Lee Smith - Melvin Jones Fellow 2004
Tom Beaver - Melvin Jones Fellow 2004
Bob Reichenbach - Melvin Jones Fellow 2007
Gordie Erickson - Melvin Jones Fellow 2007
Pauline Bottemiller - Melvin Jones Fellow 2007
Ron Reph - Melvin Jones Fellow 2010
Ginger Hustvedt - Melvin Jones Fellow 2012
Mike Rempe - Melvin Jones Fellow 2012
Robyn Schaefer - Melvin Jones Fellow 2012
Ron Hustvedt - Melvin Jones Fellow 2013
Ben Baloun - Melvin Jones Fellow 2013
Karen Baloun - Melvin Jones Fellow 2013
In 1925, Lions accepted the challenge posed by Helen Keller (who became blind and deaf in childhood) to help persons who are deaf as well as those who are blind.
Services provided by Lions clubs for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing include:
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hearing awareness
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hearing screenings
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communications aids for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
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recreational camps for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
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support for the Deaf or hard of hearing community
In 2002-03, Lions donated more than $4.3 million and volunteered more than 292,000 hours to hearing-related service projects. Lions are invited to share news of their successful service projects for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Helen Keller Award
Robert Hurst - Helen Keller Award 1997, Pres 1983
Roger Reynolds - Helen Keller Award 1998, Pres 1991
Frank McLean - Helen Keller Award 1997, Pres 1992
Kenneth Roth - Helen Keller Award 1997, Pres 1996
Lee Smith - Helen Keller Award 1998
William Mattson - Helen Keller Award 1998, Pres 1996
Ted Schaefer - Helen Keller Award 1998, Pres 1998
Wes Anderson - Helen Keller Award 1999
Ted Dullum - Helen Keller Award 1999
Russell King - Helen Keller Award 1999
Jim Dullum - Helen Keller Award 1999, Pres 1994
Lee Heurung - Helen Keller Award 1999, Pres 1997
Richard Bergman - Helen Keller Award 2000
Delmar Fisher - Helen Keller Award 2000
Bruce Gateley - Helen Keller Award 2001
Rodney Hanson - Helen Keller Award 2001
Christian Jensen - Helen Keller Award 2001
Ms Erin Herman - Helen Keller Award 2009
Todd Horness - Helen Keller Award 2012
Dick Haynes - Helen Keller Award 2012