Dr. William J. Brunken to serve as guest speaker
The Manlius Lions Club has a long history of supporting the Manlius community and beyond, and on Wednesday, Oct. 18, the club will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a dinner and special guest speaker.
“We’re part of an international service organization and, most of the time, people don’t even know we exist,” said Lorrie Mott, president of the Manlius chapter. “Seventy years is quite a long time for an organization to continue to be in place. These days, people are so overly committed with family and children they don’t find times to serve communities like they used to … The Lions Club is a great way to be involved with community for service.”
The 70th anniversary celebration will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Cavalry Club, 4801 Troop K Road in Manlius. The guest speaker is Dr. William J. Brunken, professor and vice-chair for research ophthalmology at Upstate Medical Center University and director at the Center for Vision Research.
One area of focus for Lions Club International is on providing vision care for people throughout the world, said Mott, which is why Brunken was a logical choice as the guest speaker for the 70th anniversary.
“I chose Dr. Brunken as I have attended the yearly Lions tour at the Center for Vision Research for three years now and have been amazed at the research being accomplished there,” said Mott. “I have heard Dr. Brunken speak and not only is he informative, but equally as entertaining. Our community is so lucky to have this research taking place right in our own backyard.”
The Lions Club also supports the Fayetteville-Manlius School District, local food pantries and charities, among many other groups and organizations.
Also this year, Lions Club International is celebrating their centennial anniversary. The Lions Club was started in 1917 by Melvin Jones, a Chicago-area business leader, who got together with member of his local business club with the idea to “reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world.” The club grew quickly in the United States and became international through the opening of a Canadian chapter in 1920. Now, the club operates in more than 200 countries.
Tickets for the Oct. 18 event are $40 per person or $65 per couple. Mott said the club is always looking for new members, and for anyone who attends the event and wishes to become a member, their ticket price go toward the yearly dues of $75. Since the Lions Club promotes family involvement, if a couple joins the club they will receive one membership fee for free.
The 70th anniversary celebration includes a social hour with a cash bar from 6 to 7 p.m., and from 7 to 9 p.m. dinner and program. R.S.V.P. by Saturday, Oct. 14 by emailing [email protected]. There will be a raffle and silent auction.
For more information, call Lorrie Mott at 315-256-7707.
