Akron Lions Club sponsors DISTRICT 20~N LIONS first all-female branch club

Members of the first all-female Lions Branch Club in District 20-N LIONS were officially inducted last month.  The Akron Lady Lions are sponsored by, and are a branch of, the Akron Lions Club.

While community service is a priority for both the Akron Lions and the Akron Lady Lions, they each maintain their own leadership and Club projects.  Club branches enable a small group of people to form a Lions Club.  A Club Branch operates under the Lions Umbrella through its sponsoring club, linking it to Lions Club International, Foundations, Lions Insurance, and an authority to fund raise.

Often Club Branches are special interest groups that already exist in a community, cultural group, quilters, a choir, or single parent support group who want to make a difference collectively within their communities.

Initially the Akron Lady Lions will focus on two primary projects: the Full Moon Fall Fest, designed to raise funds for the Akron-Newstead Food pantry while highlighting businesses in the community, and the “Just Build It,” project in the Dominican Republic.

Newly installed Akron Lady Lions President Marlene Stone has a passion for both of the Club’s initial projects and is committed to helping people who find themselves in difficult situations.  She was a driving force behind the initiative which takes Akron Central School students to the Dominican Republic to serve and to build relationships with residents of Bani, DR, particularly at the Elizabeth Seton Nutrition Center which has become a central hub for the local families it serves, providing nutritional meals and education for pre-school children.  The Akron students and Akron/Newstead community have provided supplies, and hands on work, to help this Center develop.  In their 2020 trip students helped build a wall to improve security for the Center.

“Our connection to Lions International, through our relationship with the Akron Lions, will provide important resources as we continue to develop these projects and any others we add in the future,” Stone said.

Akron Lions have a branch liaison to serve as a go-between the parent and branch club, providing valuable information and support.

District Governor Regina Cecconi inducted the Akron Lady Lions on June 23, 2020 along with Akron’s newest Lion at their officer installation.  Inducted were Jessi Ferry, Marilyn Kelkenberg, Jennifer Marquardt, Jayne Perry, Jenna Perry, Claudia Stone, Marlene Stone, and Trisha Yambor.  Jen Marquardt was elected Secretary of the new Club and Jayne Perry was elected Treasurer.

The Akron Lady Lions do not replace or take over any of the events and programs that the Akron Lioness Club sponsors.  They respect the work of the Lioness group, but serve under a different structure and purpose, according to Stone.