News Staff Report
Atmore Lions Club member and Past President Patty Helton Davis has received one of the club’s top honors – the International President’s Award.
She was nominated by District Governor Claudia Wigglesworth, Alabama Lions District 34C, not only for her work with the Atmore club but also with the Flomaton club.
The presentation was made Tuesday, June 12, at a Flomaton Lions Club meeting.
The following is taken from Wigglesworth’s nomination:
It is a privilege for me to nominate Lion Patty Davis from the Atmore Lions Club for the International President’s Award.
Lion Patty has actively supported all areas of Lionism during her 20-year membership with the Atmore Club. Lion Patty has proven herself deserving of this recognition.
She has served the Atmore club as Club President, Club Membership Chair, and Club Secretary. She has sponsored four new Lions. She literally breathes Lionism. She represents her club professionally in all community activities and has served the district as a Zone Chair, Peace Poster Coordinator and volunteer at the Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum. The district has benefited from her hands on support and service.
Lion Patty’s support to a neighboring, struggling Lions Club is especially noteworthy as reflected by these comments from the Flomaton Lions Club President Ruth Harrell:
Several years ago our club was really floundering and being evaluated by the district as to whether our charter should be retired. The district leadership decided to seek a leader from an adjacent club to try to “breath life” into our failing club.
The Atmore club was selected to help us and Lion Patty Davis volunteered to step up and try to help us. She was given a year to help the club to make a comeback and begin to show growth. Over the year the success was outstanding. New members were recruited, activities were implemented, and the first Leo club was founded in the county and now has 38 members, a scholarship was established for a graduating Leo annually. The club now has 21 members and is continuing to grow.
All of this has been made possible because of the vision of a leadership team and a leader who was willing to “go the extra mile” to lend a helping hand to a group of people who were willing to serve.
Lion Patty Davis, with the strong support of Flomaton Lion Charles Bowles, a 65-year member, attracted community members to join the club. Lion Patty’s commitment will be a lasting legacy for Flomaton. The club is strong and continues to grow as reflected by a net growth this year of three members. Lion Patty is a strong leader in District 34C and is worthy of the recognition of the International President’s Award.