Kindness matters to the members of the Bedford Township Lions Club.
It’s also the name of an award the club recently received by Lions International in recognition of their outstanding commitment to serving children and families throughout Monroe County.
During a special club dinner meeting, District Governor Kim Hooper presented the award to the club and honored its members for their years of dedicated service to the community.
Hooper said as part of the recognition, every Bedford Township Lions Club member received an official Lions International Kindness Matters Medal commemorating their collective impact and commitment to helping others.
“The Kindness Matters Award is one of the most exclusive service recognitions awarded by Lions International,” Hooper said in a news release. “Only 30 awards are presented annually worldwide, and, this year, just seven clubs in the United States were selected to receive the honor.”
The Bedford club was recognized specifically for its long-standing partnership with the Now I Lay Me Down Bed Ministry, a program operated by First Presbyterian Church of Monroe.
The ministry provides beds to children in Monroe County who would otherwise be without a proper place to sleep.
“For many years, the Bedford Township Lions Club has served as a platinum sponsor of the annual Bed Race to Aid Children, the primary fundraiser supporting the bed ministry,” Hooper said. “In addition to financial support, Lions members have volunteered countless hours assisting with bed deliveries and helping ensure that children throughout the county have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.”
Through this partnership, the club has helped provide more than 630 beds to Monroe County children at a cost exceeding $130,000.
“This award belongs to every member of our club who has given their time, talents and resources to serve others,” he said. “The Bedford Township Lions Club has demonstrated what Lionism is all about — seeing a need and taking action. Their support of the Now I Lay Me Down Bed Ministry has changed the lives of hundreds of children and families throughout Monroe County.”
Hooper said the Bedford Lions have been serving the community for decades through a variety of projects focused on youth, vision, hunger relief, community service and humanitarian efforts.
“The Kindness Matters Award serves as international recognition of the club’s continuing dedication to the Lions motto: ‘We Serve,’” he added.
Anyone interested in becoming a Lion can learn more about the organization and join online. The website provides a comprehensive list of all the causes that Lions address.
For more information on joining a local club, you can attend a meeting.
The Monroe club meets the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 108 Washington St. in Monroe.
The Bedford club meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Erie Restaurant & Bar, 9788 S. Dixie Hwy. in Erie.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford Lions Club wins prestigious global award
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
