Kopins Named Newtown Lion Of The Year

Newtown Lions Club held its annual awards and installation dinner at Rock Ridge Country Club on June 14.

Installation of the new officers for 2006-07 was conducted by William A. Carello, the Lions Governor of District 23A and a member of Darien Lions Club.

During the ceremony, John Kopins was named Lion of The Year 2005-06.

“Our Lion of the Year this year has been very active in serving both the club and our community,” local Lions Club President Jon Christensen said on June 14. “He epitomizes our motto ‘We Serve’ and is not afraid to let others know he believes strongly in this motto. This Lion willingly volunteers for just about everything the club is involved in and frequently substitutes for club officers who are unable to attend meetings and perform their duties. His community activities involve being a driver for Meals on Wheels and taking an active role in Newtown’s Tercentennial celebration in 2005.”

Mr Kopins regularly works at the club’s charity breakfasts, assists at blood drives, marches in the Labor Day Parade, sells Duck Race and Car Raffle tickets, presents checks to organizations the Lions support, hosts the club’s progressive dinner, greets members during regular meetings, and visits hospitalized or recuperating Lions.

“When [he] joined the Newtown Lions in 2003, [Mr Kopins] emphatically told me he was a follower not a leader,” Mr Christensen continued. “However, he has since accepted the chairmanship of two committees and has done an admirable job leading both committees. He has consistently sold multiple books of car raffle tickets.

“In addition, he’s the keeper of the Mustang on weekends, brings it to and from Amaral Motors, prepares the tickets for the events we take the car to, and keeps track of all of the sold and unsold tickets. He does this all with great enthusiasm and passion!”

The award was initiated by Gordon Williams during his reign as president in 1999-2000. It is intended to recognize a Newtown Lion for outstanding service to the club or community during the year.

Life Memberships were presented to Win Ballard and Carl Swanhall, each of whom has maintained a continuous active membership with the Newtown club for “well over thirty years,” said Mr Christensen. Requirements include having rendered outstanding service as a Lion to the Club, the community or Lions International. Life Membership requires recommendation by the Board of Directors of this club and approval by the International Board of Directors.

Mr Ballard and Mr Swanhall have each served as presidents of the local club, and both have been honored as Melvin Jones Fellows.

Paul Krueger was honored with a 2005-06 Melvin Jones Fellow Award, the highest form of recognition conferred by the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Due largely to the growth of this fellowship program, LCIF has been able to meet humanitarian needs in communities worldwide.

“This year’s recipient has a character that can be best described as sturdy, strong and reliable. His word is his bond,” Mr Christensen said before presenting the honor to Mr Kreuger. “He would be the one you’d want in a trench beside you. You could always be confident in knowing he’d be there for you. His intelligent and thoughtful comments at board and committee meetings are always well received and highly respected.”

Mr Krueger has been a Lion for over twenty years, and has, according to Mr Christensen, has participated on most of the club’s committees at one time or another and served as chairman for several of them. He has been a club vice president, director and toastmaster, among other offices. He has also been honored as a Knight of The Blind.