On the Town: Northwest Glendale Lions Club celebrates 60 years
For 60 years, the Northwest Glendale Lions Club has supported a number of community programs, but its main focus has been those that help the blind.
Club members reminisced about the group’s history, gave awards to outstanding members and installed new officers during an anniversary celebration held in mid-July at the DeBell Canyon Grille in Burbank.
President Tom Masterani welcomed members and guests and introduced the program presented by the Academy of Music for the Blind. Members and guests were amazed by the singing talent and self-confidence exhibited by the students, ranging from children to young adults.
The club also presented the nonprofit organization with a donation to David Pinto, the academy’s director.
The top honor went to Ross Adams, who was named Lion of the Year. By his side was his wife, Rita.
Ross Adams joined the club in March 1967. Working in downtown Los Angeles at the time, he said he wanted to get involved in the community. He became president first in 1972-73 and again in 1991-92. He was District 4-L1 cabinet secretary in 1987-88, served as first vice governor and then District 4L1 district governor in 1995-96. He has continued to serve as club secretary for the past 10 years.
“My passion is the Lions’ Rose Parade float,” he said. “I was president of Lions Float Inc., sponsor of the float, in 1996-97 and still serve on the committee. I have been honored with three International President Awards.”
He said he is most proud of initiating a program of community service awards presented to local organizations that the club continued for 25 years, and the club participation in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest at two local schools that the club continues to sponsor.
Members who received 100% attendance pins were Steve Weber, one year; Ryan Nekota, six years; Tom Masterani, 20 years; Ted Walters, 25 years; Vince De Santis, 28 years and Adams, 49 years.
Other awards were presented to members. Weber received the Abdul Award with a donation in his name going to Canine Companions. The Harry Aslan Fellowship went to the late Bill Bowman, and a donation was given in his name to the Student Speakers Foundation.
The Sinskey Fellowship Award was presented to Masterani, with a donation going to the Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation; and the Miracle Worker Award was given to Christopher Robinson, with a donation going in his name to the Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Following dinner, new officers were installed. Masterani will continue as president for another year. Serving also are De Santis, first vice president; Weber, second vice president; Adams, secretary; Walters, treasurer; Christopher Robinson, second-year director; Scott Biederman, first-year director; Steve High, tail twister; and Nekota, immediate past president.
Highlights during the past year include the presentation of $1,000 scholarships to three special-needs students attending Glendale Community College; the screening of 150 preschool students with an IScreen machine; and partnering with the Glendale Unified School District to collect 760 used eyeglasses at 35 local schools. Also, Lions members collected another 1,130, which means they collected a total of 1,890 pairs of used eyeglasses for the year.
Campbell Center receives $5,000 donation
The Campbell Center of Glendale received a $5,000 donation during the 19th annual Gala of the Kiwanis Club of Burbank.
The Kiwanis Club of Burbank Foundation honors a different individual each year and makes a donation to the charity of the honoree’s choice.
This year, Alex Trebek, Emmy-winning host of TV game show “Jeopardy”, was lauded during the Kiwanis gala held on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Club in Toluca Lake. Trebek named the Campbell Center as the charity to receive the donation because his wife, Jean, is a supporter of the charity.
Attending the gala from the Campbell Center were Rita Hopkins, the foundation’s executive director, and David Cain, program specialist.
The Campbell Center is a nonprofit agency that provides adults with disabilities the opportunity to achieve their highest level of independence through residential placement, on-site vocational training, job placement, community integration and education.
For more information, visit TheCampbell.org.
Scout project collects clothes for orphans
For his Eagle Scout project, Aren Aghamanoukian of Troop 127 has organized an effort called “Clothes For Change,” in a partnership with the Society for Orphaned Armenia Relief, or SOAR.
Donations of new or gently-worn clothing sizes from infants to 18-year-old adults as well as diapers, new shoes and hygiene items, such as toothbrushes, are being collected. They will be sent to orphans in Armenia. The goal is to fill 200 boxes.
Items can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday or on the main collection days July 30 and 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Troop 127 Scout house, 1446 Raymond St., Glendale. There will be a barbecue and fun festivities on the main collection days.
For more information, email Aren at aren.agha@yahoo.com or text him at (213) 248-0648 or contact the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief at soar-lacanada@soar-us.org.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.