The Medford Lakes Lions Club met on June 15 to recognize and appoint new officers to its board.
The club is part of an organization of 55 other Lions groups serving southern and Central New Jersey areas, and is a branch of Lions Club International. That organization was founded in 1917, and has 1.4 million members in 210 countries answering the needs of communities around the world. It is the world’s largest service club organization.
The Medford Lions is the largest branch in New Jersey and is run by volunteers. The club’s motto is “We Serve.” At its induction service for new board members, Bob Freidel, a Lion for 33 years with eight years in the Medford Lakes group. He will be appointed to the council chair on July 1.
Jacquie Verish was appointed first vice president, Steve Gibbon was named secretary, Dave Stott treasurer and Suzy West immediate past president. The new officers will serve for a year.
The club also honored Ron Murphy of Murphy’s Markets in Tabernacle, Medford and Beach Haven. The group participates in Murphy’s Day every year to raise funds through raffles and supports organizations in town such as the Medford Lakes Association, various athletic teams and the Boy and Girl Scouts. It also awards scholarships to students who participate in public service and achieve scholastically.
“We help build picnic tables for the different parks in the town,” Freidel said.
The Medford Lakes Lion club also operates the Walter Cavanaugh Food Bank for the surrounding community, in which the food bank provides canned goods, household needs, and personal care items to needy families in the greater Medford area including Medford Lakes, Medford, Shamong, Tabernacle and Vincentown. The club also supports 90 families during the Christmas season, including with a holiday meal..
“For me, it means to be able to give back to the community, I really believe in community service,” Friedel said. “I think lions clubs are very important to communities.”
The Lions Club reaches beyond Medford Lakes by contributing to a state camp for blind children. Camp Marcella is a residential summer camp ground designed specifically for children and teens with blindness, visual impairments and special needs. The club also supports the Helen L. Diller Vacation for Blind Children, which enables children to experience the Shore.
For more information on the club, call Friedel at (609-220-119).
