Melvin Jones Fellowship Awards presented to 3 Havre Lions

Press release

Melvin Jones was the founder of Lions Clubs International.

"What if these men," Melvin Jones asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?" Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.

In 1973, the Lions Clubs International Foundation established the Melvin Jones Fellowship. As recognition of outstanding humanitarian work, a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award may be presented to individuals who have contributed time, energy and service that furthers the Lions' motto, "We Serve."

For Lionistic year 2016-2017 the Havre Lions Club presented three local Lion members this award. The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award is the highest order of recognition that any Lion can earn.

Lion Doug Larson has been a Havre Lion for 30 years. He has been a club president and still serves as club secretary for the last eight years. He has served in various office positions and numerous Lion community projects. To name only few, he has actively participated in "Optix" Visual Screening, Pronto Pup concession, Havre Invitational Track & Field event and the NFL-Legend Pheasant Jamboree.

Lion Steve Jamruszka joined Lions in 1995 and has been a club president. He served in other offices as well and served in many Lions community projects. He is the leader of Lions "Optix" Visual Screening project for school-age kids in the Hi-Line schools. Also, he has been club treasurer for nine years.

Lion Ray Toth joined the club in 1994. In his 22 years as a Lion he has been a club president, has served in numerous offices and actively served in numerous Lions community projects such Lion Camp and Havre Festival Days parade.

If something pertaining to Lions is going on in and around our community, you can bet that these three Lions will be involved also.

Lions Clubs International worldwide will be celebrating its Centennial in 2017. What better way to ring in the Lions Centennial than by celebrating the man who started it all? The Havre Lions Club, 46,000 Lion clubs, countries and geographic areas in every corner of the globe, hope to carry Melvin Jones's legacy in the years ahead to improve the lives of people around the world.