MADISON – In helping senior citizens and school-age youth, a local civic club has earned an award after only one ‘staggered’ but full year of community service.

Madison Area Family Lions Club accepted the “Outstanding Club of the Year” Award for 2021-2022 at the State Leadership Conference at Wallace State University for Alabama Lions Multiple District 34.

The award’s full name, “Roderick Beddow Sr. Outstanding Club of the Year,” recognizes Beddow’s career as an outstanding lawyer and a civic leader.

“What an honor this is for our club,” Lions Club President LaToya Dorsey said. “I’m so proud of the club members who worked hard helping others in our community. This award proves the impact that Lions Clubs can have on their local community.”

The “Outstanding Club of the Year” Award is presented annually to the Lions Club who has distinguished themselves in service and promotion of ‘Lionism,’ a term for club members’ outreach, Dorsey said.

“It was a pleasure to see this newly formed club receive this award. This award is a testament to the service of club members,” Past Council Chair Ron Seybold said. “There’s no limit to what this club will accomplish. I know they will continue their work in assisting children and elderly in the Madison area.”

Past Club President John Emich and Club Secretary Melissa Gaddis accepted the award. “I was completely surprised,” Emich said. “This was our first full year of service since receiving our charter in April 2020. It’s amazing what a group of likeminded individuals can accomplish. Club members epitomize the Lions’ motto of ‘We Serve;’ this is their award.”

The club’s accomplishments include Vision for Learning, helping children in Madison City Schools who can’t afford eyeglasses; children’s vision screening; partnering with Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments or TARCOG to provide eyeglasses to elderly in need; and supporting Lions’ Recycle for Sight initiative.

This club started organizing during COVID-19 restrictions but weren’t thwarted with that obstacle. “As soon as restrictions were lifted, they had programs ready to implement. We’re proud of this new club and things they have carried out in this short timeframe,” Seybold said.

Madison Area Family Lions Club continuously looks for new members. The club meets monthly on second Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Ted’s Bar-B-Q in Madison.

Lions clubs are a recognized service organization who identify and fulfill residents’ needs. For more information, email Tony Villamil at madisonlionsclub@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Madison Area Family Lions Club.

Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, has more than 1.3 million members in approximately 45,000 clubs in 205 countries and areas. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth.