However a wise man once said: “The one who plants trees, knowing that he might never sit in its shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life”. Melvin Jones started Lions International in 1917 and today, with 47 000 clubs in 200 countries, Lions boasts an illustrious history of service to its communities. Just think for a moment how many trees this collective has planted over its more than 100 year history… The Nelspruit Lions Club has just had its presidential induction lunch. It celebrated its 50th birthday in 2020. Its service record, despite dwindling membership, has been exemplary, and outgoing president Val Graham highlighted the past year’s projects and success in her valedictory speech at a luncheon held at eBundu Lodge.

It has a long history of organising eye clinics, often in conjunction with the government’s Department of Health and aided by sponsors. The need for food parcels has increased since the start of lockdown, so the club has contributed and distributed to various institutions to address this. It also raised and used existing funds for pediatric cancer and donated R1 000 to Blind SA to help print Braille books. Its cocktails and wine selling at Sonpark and Masons’ Night Market raised donations of R10 000 each to Child Welfare and Hospice, and another R7 000 worth of paint, tiles and equipment was donated to Sinethemba Crèche. Graham referred to the five pillars of Lionism. These are hunger, vision, environment, childhood cancer and diabetes. The long and the short of it is that Nelspruit Lions has donated more than R110 000 in cash and goods to the communities it works with. This is quite an achievement, considering that its main annual fundraising initiative at Innibos did not happened.

Various appreciation awards were handed to Lions Club members. The Lion of the Year Award went to Mel Boswell. A new member to the Lions, Lorraine Cooper was inducted. “I am retired and would like to give back and render support within our communities, and Lions Club has an authentic history in doing just that, so I decided to join,” she said. Of course, the Lions have rich and respected traditions and meeting methodologies, but this did not inhibit the mischievousness from the various speakers, and laughter and fun were as much a part of this event as everything else.

The newly inducted president, Mike Graham (this is the third time he will serve as president), was quite stern when setting out the intentions for the next year. “We need to recruit new and younger members to join the Lions. We need their social media skills, their out-of-the-box ideas and their energy. In return, and as longstanding members, we can vouch for this, their skillset and leadership ability will grow exponentially.” The formalities were concluded with bestowing a Melvin Jones Fellowship on outgoing president, Val Graham. Should you wish to join the Lions, contact Mike Graham on 082 312 2400.