Melanie Paz re-installed as San Pedro Lions President
Melani Paz, San Pedro Lion's Club President
San Pedro Sun | Zone 59 Chairman Baldemar Graniel then read the Lions Code of Ethics to the gathered crowd. Lion Marina Graniel-Kay then welcomed everyone to the event, adding that she hoped that all those members present would join with the new board in bringing the San Pedro Lions ever more forward.
Melanie Paz, who was unanimously re-elected to continue the Presidency, highlighted the various achievements of the club in the past year. She stated that many of the activities accomplished during the Lion year 2009-2010 are attributed to the hard work of the club and the partnership of the community and business sector. Friday night’s Bingo and BBQ special has once again been revived, and it is now a family activity that many people look forward to attending. The Lions’ park in the Mosquito Coast area has been revamped, and a new palapa has been constructed, and now families who want to spend some time on the beach have great facilities to use while in that area. Also especially important in the list of accomplishments is the return of BCVI (Belize Council for the Visually Impaired) to give free eye clinics on the first Thursday of every month. The Lions office, which was previously used as a storage area upstairs at the Lion’s Den, has been converted into the treatment area for 20-25 patients a month. There are several other goals that the Lions Club hopes to accomplish, and President Paz called on all members to join and renew their efforts to make 2010-2011 an even bigger success.
One of the highlights of the evening was the distribution of pins and certificates to those Lions who had worked especially hard during the year. Lion Jorge Aldana and gracious Lion Queen Alexis Guerrero did the honors as the names were called out. There was even a fun sash that was given to the official Bar Queen Petey, for her dedication to helping at the bar during the many Lion events as well as every Friday at Bingo. Pins were handed out to the hard working and dedicated Lions, and several Lions and non-members got their certificates of appreciation for their help throughout the year as well. The Lion of the Year award went to the ever hardworking and dedicated Lion Gonzalo “Reds” Lara. Reds is the mainstay at the Lions bar, always serving up drinks, and helping around the den, and at functions. He unfortunately was unwell for the evening and could not attend the event, but everyone present applauded his hard work and dedication.
The installation of the new board then followed. Led by past Belmopan Lions’ President Carlos Santos, who was accompanied by his wife Emerita, current president of the Belmopan chapter, Santos reiterated the solemnity of the event, and detailed the duties expected of everyone who was being installed. The new board for the Lion Year 2010-2011 is as follows: President: Melanie Paz, Vice President: Marina Kay, Treasurer: Abel Guerrero, Board Secretary: Jorge Aldana, Membership Chair: Enes Anderson, Tail Twister: Rigoberto Kumul and Lion Tamer: Jan Brown. The club also elected four directors that will serve as advisors to the board. They are Francisco Verde, Tamara Sniffin, Francisco Palma and Zone Chair of the Belize Lions Zone 59 Chairman: Baldemar Graniel.
After the vote of thanks delivered by Lion Tamara Sniffin, a celebration followed with bocas and lively music by Rompe Raja. The San Pedro Lions Club takes this opportunity to thank the community of Ambergris Caye for their outstanding support to the organization during the Lion year 2009-2010. It is with the help of the community in their support of events and donations that contributed to the fulfillment of projects that make the community a better place to live. Once again, the San Pedro Lions look forward to the community’s continued support in the upcoming Lionistic year 2010-2011.
