Service Clubs:

In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Burbank Noon Lions, a celebration was held recently to honor current members, recall former and deceased members and to acknowledge the club’s contribution to the community.

The event was held at the Pickwick Banquet Center. Entertainment, with audience participation, was provided by the Aloha Hula Ladies, a local dance group. Highlights from the evening included recognizing volunteer service, which from July of 2007 to June of this year totaled more than 2,000 volunteer hours of service clocked by the members of the Burbank Noon Lions.

Special recognition was given to Sylvia Hernandez, a new member, who received the “Spark Plug” of the Year award for her numerous contributions and willingness to participate whenever possible.

Through the course of the year, Lions Club members have been involved in myriad service projects. They have collected pull tabs for recycling as well as used eyeglasses and hearing aids, held a Flag Day celebration at San Joaquin Miller Elementary School, visited and distributed gifts to patients at a local convalescent hospital and provided free hearing aids and eye exams/glasses for low-income residents.

They have been busy hosting a Halloween Party for BCR “A Place to Grow,” supporting the Burbank Temporary Aid Center and collecting money for the Salvation Army as part of December’s Red Kettle Day. Lions also funded and served refreshments at Burbank Teen Dances, sponsored a Peace Poster contest and funded a Burbank High School student to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership program.

Beyond the local contributions, members of the Burbank Noon Lions Club have driven the blind to area meetings, visited the elderly and contributed money and service to MEND (Meeting Every Need with Dignity) an area food bank and care center among many other good things.

As part of the past year’s service, Burbank Noon Lions participated in the city’s Fire Service Day by bringing the Lions Eyemobile for free eye screenings at the event. Burbank eye doctors Sara Hakopian, Lori Nishida-Eugenio and City Council member David Gordon volunteered their time to perform 38 screenings during the three hour time span.

Fourteen people, all ages, were referred for follow-up treatment. Lion Marva Murphy said two of them applied for Burbank Noon Lions financial assistance and were examined and provided glasses free of charge.

The Burbank Noon Lions meet at noon on the second and fourth Thursday of every month at the Holiday Inn Burbank-Media Center, 159 E. Angeleno Ave., Burbank. For more information, contact Murphy at (818) 955-8018 or mm@2m4pr.com.

 ISABEL ADAMS can be reached at (818) 842-7359 or at izzieadams@sbcglobal.net.