Manila Lions officers installed

Manila Lion President LeRoy Douglas welcomed members of the Lions Club and guests to the annual banquet and installation of officers on Monday, June 28. Guests of the Lions included members of the Manila Business Women's Club.

The event was held at the Manila Depot with Brad Baker, chief executive officer for the Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service, serving as guest speaker and presiding at the installation ceremony.

Following a barbecue dinner, entertainment was provided by a youth group from First Baptist Church, CREW (Christians Riding Eternal Waves), presenting a drama and puppet skit.

Lion Baker thanked the Manila Lions for a great meal and a great program.

"I have fond memories of Manila," he said. "I've enjoyed some nights of baseball and days of golf here. My grandfather was Lee Baker."

Baker spoke briefly about the work at Mid-South Sight and Hearing Service. He will be returning to Manila for the Aug. 11 Lions Club meeting to speak on the Service.

He shared Lion Club facts with the group informing them Manila is part of 45,000 Lions Clubs in 214 countries. He gave a brief history of the Lions Club.

"The Lions was started with Melvin Jones," he said. "Helen Keller spoke at a Lions meeting in 1925 challenging Lions to become knights of the blind. Eighty cents of every $1 spent on sight care around the world is raised by the Lions Club.

"I hope you are proud to be a member of the Lions Club."

The Mid-South Lions is made up of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Baker said hearing aids can be provided through the Lions service at the hearing aid cost only.

"Our motto and goal is a miracle a day," he said. "The need has increased because of the economy. The demand has gone up with the funding level down. We have 173 people on the waiting list. Mid-South provides services at no charge to the patients. The nearest clinic to you is Memphis."

He shared a couple of success stories on how the lives had been changed through the sight and hearing services provided through the Lions Club.

He encouraged the Lions to serve their community.

Baker detailed the duty of each office as he installed the officers for the coming year. Officers are Tony Crowell, tail twister; Tracey Reinhart, Lion tamer; Wendell Poteet, Gary Perkins, Don Wagner and Jim Cheadle, directors; Thomas Jaco, first vice president; Dan Robbins, secretary; Wayne Shedd, treasurer; and Tyrone Presson, president.

Outgoing president Douglas handed the gavel to incoming president Presson.

Baker challenged all members to support and promote the officers.

"Your community needs your club," he said. "Your service is important."

Lion Presson thanked Baker for presiding over the ceremony, thanked the young people from First Baptist for the excellent program, and said he is looking forward to serving in the coming year.