Service clubs honor outstanding members

Lions and Legion pay tribute to hardworking citizens BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR Last year’s Lion of the Year Ron McIntyre introduces the 2009 LIon of the Year Tonya Christopherson. The bi-monthly Lions Club meeting was full of members anxiously awaiting a great meal, good company and the announcement of this year’s Lion of the Year.

Last year’s Lion of the Year recipient Ron McIntyre walked around the room explaining what it takes to become Lion of the Year.

“This person is a tireless community worker and doesn’t expect recognition for anything they do,” he said.

At that point, McIntyre announced that Tonya Christopherson was the new Lion of the Year.

“Thank you and you can’t do it by yourself,” a surprised and humble Christopherson said. “I’m grateful to have all of you and my family and I’m grateful I have the support of the club behind me.”

“She does whatever she has to do to help the community,” Rusty Fenrich, Lions Club President said.

A Lions Club member can only be named Lion of the Year once and is chosen by a committee of members.

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Commander Tony Morea (left) presenting Legionnaire of the Year Kim Ralls with his plaque. Saturday evening, May 2, at their annual awards banquet, Kim Ralls was selected as the local Legionnaire of the Year.

This award comes from the commander to the most deserving Post 181 member who has made substantial contributions in time and effort to help the Post become better in what they do.

Ralls took on the job of Finance Officer last year and immediately implemented a much better accounting system to make the Legion’s budgeting and use of funds more efficient and professional.

In addition, he developed a flow-of-business calendar that will help now and in the future to better plan for the many events Post 181 has been participating in during the last years.

He also has tackled an updating of Post 181’s website, including many behind-the-scenes set ups that will enhance communications with fellow Legionnaires and with the internet public.

Each of these tasks would have been a major job by itself, but Ralls managed to do all three while still doing the regular job of Finance Officer, attend meetings and functions, raise a family, be gainfully employed, and also run his own business.

He has devoted many hours to raise Post 181 up several notches. His work is in place for the next year and for all those that follow in our footsteps.

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