Ballard Given Highest Lions Award

At a recent meeting of the Newtown Lions Club at the Inn in Newtown, A. Winthrop Ballard was given the club’s highest Lions’ award, the Melvin Jones Plaque.

Mr Ballard earned this award for his outstanding work for the local Lions Club. Several times president, he has also been the club’s secretary, membership chairman, nominating committee chair, newsletter editor, as well as holding numerous other jobs. He was also a district officer in Lions region 23A. A member of the Lions Club since 1973, he has consistently been a highly valued member.

Now retired, Mr Ballard served as Newtown’s acting superintendent of schools following a distinguished career in education. Only three other Newtown Lions have received the Lions award: William Honan, Carl Swanhall, and Thomas Goosman.

The plaque given to Mr Ballard is named after Melvin Jones, the founding father of the Lions Club. Mr Jones was a Chicago insurance agent who had the idea in early 1917 to consolidate several independent Chicago business clubs to better serve their fellow man and help their community. The idea quickly was adopted by others and just four months later delegates from 22 clubs in nine states held the first convention in Dallas, Texas. The convention approved the “Lions” designation, a constitution, and by-laws, and made a start on objectives and an ethics code.

Lions Clubs continued to organize throughout the United States and with the formation of clubs in Canada in 1920, it became an international organization. Today, Lions International is the largest service organization with clubs in 180 countries. Lions speak dozens of languages but share a common spirit. Since the beginning the clubs have been united in a single cause: helping those less fortunate. There has been a great emphasis on blindness. Today, in parts of Africa, the only eye care available is paid for by the International Lions Club.

Financial help for the disabled, underprivileged, diabetic, and the elderly has also been forthcoming. In addition to these national and international goals, local chapters have their own agendas.

In Newtown currently the major thrust is to raise funds for the Treadwell Park playgrounds. In addition, the local club’s current planned year includes a blood drive, participation in Newtown Health Fair, a pancake breakfast, spearheading Lose the Litter Day for the town, supporting the Leo Club at the high school, repairing a local resident’s house on Americares HomeFront Day, and bringing the United States Air Force Band to Newtown for a free concert.