Westfield Lions celebrate 94 years of service

Hamilton County’s oldest service club presents annual awards

By JEFF LARRISON
Westfield Lions Club

On Oct. 17, the Westfield Lions Club celebrated its 94th anniversary with special awards for some well-deserving members and an amazing dinner prepared by the Westfield High School Foodies team.

Lion Jerry Kirby was awarded the Richard T. Miyamoto Fellowship Award for his tireless volunteer work at all the Club’s events, as well as participating on several club committees. He is currently serving as the Club’s 2^nd vice president this year. The Miyamoto Fellowship is named after Dr. Richard Miyamoto and is awarded to Lions for exceptional dedication and service to others in accord with the mission of Indiana Lions Speech & Hearing, Incorporated.

The W.P. Woods Fellowship was awarded to Lion John Wardlow for the tremendous work he has done for the Club over the 10 years he has been a member. He’s served as the Club’s president, as well as being on the board of directors for four years. Lion Wardlow’s efforts to secure ARPA funds during COVID resulted in the Westfield Lions Club being awarded a $12,000 grant from Hamilton County. The W.P. Woods Fellowship was established to honor the first president of Lions International, W.P. Woods, who was an Indiana Lion from Evansville. The fellowship is a way that Indiana Lions may honor their dedicated Lions.

Lion Rodney Benson received Lions Clubs International’s Melvin Jones Fellowship Award. Named in honor of LCI’s founder, the fellowship award is the top award a Lion can receive. Lion Benson recently completed his second term as the Club’s president and oversaw its substantial membership growth during that period of time. Also, during his tenure the Club began the remodeling of its new clubhouse at 1101 E. 169^th St.

The highlight of each year’s awards night is the presentation of the Roy O. Hadley “Lion of the Year” award. Lion Hadley’s leadership was instrumental in developing the culture of the Club so that it could become an ongoing major asset to the Westfield community. This year’s Lion of the Year is Gary Smith. He has served in all the leadership positions of the Club, including president and on the board of directors. His extensive work with the Westfield Lions LLC has been critical to its success.

The Westfield Lions are looking for men and women who want to help make a difference in Westfield. If you would like more information on the Club, go to WestfieldLions.org.