PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Lions Club recently inducted 6 new members into its Club joining the world’s largest and most active Service Club Organization, a group of over 1.4 million men and women in over 48.000 Clubs in over 200 countries, who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities and beyond.
During the Board of Directors Installation Ceremony on June 26th at the Paradise Event Hall, Cay Hill, Past President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, Lion Alphons Gumbs welcomed the 6 newly inducted Lions into the Club, stating that through their membership, they will help the Sint Maarten Lions Club reach out to more people in need in our community.
“This year the Sint Maarten Lions Club completed many Projects in all the Core areas of Lions Club International, namely Hunger, Diabetes, Vision, Childhood Cancer and Environment”, Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs told the large audience comprising of Lions of both Dutch and French St. Martin, members of the Sint Maarten “Alpha” Leo Club, the Sint Maarten South “Omega” Club, the Toastmasters Club, of which Lion President Linette Gibs is a member, and other invited guests.
The new members who were inducted into the Sint Maarten Lions Club are Lion Ketty Paines, Lion Niva Clark, Lion Shantal Zorilla, Lion Shirley Hilaire, Lion Sasha Buncamper, and Lion La-Teen Clark. Last December, 2 members, Lion Rose Hughes-Coram and Lion Roxanne Bloomfield, were inducted as part of the Club’s 50th-anniversary celebration making a total of 8 members joining the Club during the past Lionistic year which ended on June 30th. Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs stated that he “was very proud of the membership team as we welcome the 8 new members into our movement for this our 50th Anniversary lionistic year, which was a first in many years for the Club”.
Three members, Leo Tomeeka Matthew, Leo Elisha Dolor, and Leo Shannen Molanus, were also inducted into the Sint Maarten South “Omega” Leo Club at the Event on June 26th.
The growth in membership enables both Service Clubs to expand their service to those in need in both the local and international communities.
On that same evening, Lion President Linette Gibs introduced her theme for the new Lionistic year which started on July 1st, “Bridging the Gap….. to Embrace Change”. She told the audience, “We need to ensure that our members are equipped and ready to embrace the existing changes as we work with our Club’s future Leaders, our Leos, as this is key to the continuity of Lionism.”
The Board of Directors and members of the Sint Maarten Lions Club congratulate these new members and are thrilled that they have made the decision to assist the Club in continuing the legacy of Lions Club International of improving the lives of the less fortunate and making our community an even better place as we continue our dedicated service and commitment to the community of Sint Maarten.
