Lion King for the Day

There once was a young man named Bruce....

Okay, so there's very few words that rhyme with "Bruce," so let me just say this....

50 years ago, Juneau became a better place.

For that was when Lion Dr. Bruce Wing joined the Glacier Valley Lions Club.

Last night we celebrated Lion Bruce 

and his 50 years of service to Juneau and the communities that make up our neighbors.  

Although he started out at Glacier Valley Lions Club, he transferred to the Mendenhall Flying Lions when that club closed their charter.   

It was an intimate dinner filled with laughter and good times.  

Lion Mike Norton proclaimed Lion Bruce as "Lion King for the Day."  

He was presented with International President Dr. Jitsuhiro Yamada's pin that was donated by International Director Lewis Quinn

and a copy of the Mendenhall Flying Lions Club 30 Year Book for a walk down memory lane.

When asked what he has enjoyed most he said working on the Joint Sight Conservation Committee for so many years. (This program recycles used eyeglasses for re-distribution around the world as well as offers financial assistance for eye exams and glasses for those in need.)

Lastly, Lion Bruce was presented with a Distinguished Lion award by the Club.

When asked what his secret was for staying a Lion for so many years, 

Lion Bruce simply said, "You get started.  You stay with it.  Forever."

And here he stayed.

And we're glad he did.

Congratulations, Lion Bruce!

We Serve!

50th Anniversary!

I don't know how many clubs can announce that they have a Lion member celebrating 50 YEARS OF LIONISM!  But the Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions can!

Lion Bruce Wing celebrates 50 years of Lionism today, October 1.  He became a Lion in 1965 and was a member of the Glacier Valley Lions Club before transferring to the MFLC.  While a member of the Glacier Valley Lions he was President and also Club President 1995-1996 and Club Secretary 2003-2004 for MFLC.

On July 16, 1983, Lion Bruce, President of the Glacier Valley Lions Club at the time, presented the MFLC with a club banner at their Charter Presentation Night.  We are uncertain, at this time, when he became a member of the MFLC.

Lion Bruce has a Lion's heart.... serving wherever he could.

Probably one of his biggest passions was heading up the Joint Sight Committee, collecting used eyeglasses that would be recycled and re-distributed and providing financial assistance to those in need of eye exams and glasses but couldn't afford them.

One of Lion Bruce's pet projects was the sale of holly and other greenery at the Nugget Mall just before Christmas.  In the beginning, profits from this fundraiser went to the Quest program which was a youth program designed for all ages, teaching them how to deal with peer pressure or develop self confidence and drug awareness.  The MFLC was committed to spending over $6,000 in 1994 alone on the program for the Juneau school system.

One of his highest honors was receiving the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in 2001.  This was received from the club in recognition of his commitment to humanitarian service.  A much deserved honor.

We are honored to have Lion Bruce in our club and even though he's taking the back seat right now, that's okay.   We can't even begin to imagine how many people he has served and helped over the last 50 years.  Thank you, Lion Bruce, for your service!

We Serve!
Lion Nancy Norton

Happy Anniversary!

Thirty-one years ago, Lions Club International had the privilege, and honor, to receive as members Neil Atkinson and Robert Hungerford.  Thirty-one years later, Lion Robert is residing in Washington State and Lion Neil is still sharing Lionism wherever he goes.

I could write a book about Lion Neil's accomplishments since becoming a Lion....  Well, maybe I will!

Lions Neil and Robert were both Charter members of the Mendenhall Flying Lions that was chartered on May 23, 1983.  Lion Neil has served as Vice President, Director, Tail Twister/Lion Tamer, Membership Chair, Secretary, and well.... you get it.  To be a leader in the club, almost requires you to know every aspect of the club's business.  Doesn't it?  A couple of his pet projects for most of these years include the annual Barbeque and Auction to benefit the American Diabetes Association and Light Flights to benefit the Children's Tumor Foundation.  This is not to say he hasn't chaired other committees and hasn't been otherwise involved, because Lion Neil has pretty much done it all at the club level!

Lion Neil has also held the following district positions:
  Zone 7 Chair 1993-1995
  Region 2 Chair 1995-1996
  District Governor 49A 1997-1998
  MD49 Council Chair 2001-2002

He also received 49A Secretary of the Year for 2000-2001.

Lion Neil has attended International Conventions in Philadelphia; Birmingham, England; Denver; Indianapolis; and Osaka, Japan; and USA/Canada Lions Forums in Syracuse, Forth Worth, Reno, Milwaukee (2 times), Portland, Oregon, and Anchorage.

Lion Neil first heard of Lions in 1959 when his brothers and him "won" money for clothes from the Columbus Lions Club for school following their dad's death from diabetes.  As a paperboy, the Lions treated all paperboys to a Christmas dinner and a gift.  In 1967, Neil represented the Lions Club in the Lions band at their State Convention.  Lion Neil says, "my service here is to pay back a little of what that club did for me and my family."

And there you have it.  Lionism at its finest.  Thank you, Lion Neil for all your service, for your mentoring, for your compassion towards others.  Do you think he's done "paying back"?  Nahhhh, me neither!

I wish I knew something about Lion Robert, but I don't.  He left Juneau many years ago and we're not in touch.  But I know all those Charter members worked hard to make the MFLC the club it is today. So congratulations to him, as well!

We Serve!  
Lion Nancy