A Call to Action for Every Club in MD36-O
On September 21, 2026, the St. Helens Lions Club gathered to celebrate Lion Linda B. McCoy as she received the Melvin Jones Fellowship, recognizing more than a decade of dedicated service to Lions and to her community.
Linda joined the St. Helens Lions on October 21, 2013. Since then, she has demonstrated what it means to be a Lion who steps forward whenever there is a need. She served two years as club president, including during the difficult COVID period, helping keep the club connected and active when gathering together was challenging.
Linda has chaired Citizens Day in the Park since the project began and serves as the club’s Hearing Chair, helping community members obtain needed assistance. She has been a consistent force behind plastics recycling, including weekly collection and transportation. She has also given countless hours to Community Meals, flag displays and repairs, book recycling, Ronald McDonald House projects and many other activities.
Perhaps one of Linda’s greatest gifts is her reliability. When a volunteer is needed, she is often among the first to raise her hand. Whether the need is planned months ahead or arises at the last minute, Linda can be counted on to help see the job through.
Her service extends beyond the St. Helens Lions Club. Linda serves as the OLSHF School Screening Events Coordinator for Columbia County, helping bring vision and hearing screening efforts to children in the community.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship is meaningful because it connects recognition of an individual Lion’s service with support for the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). The $1,000 contribution associated with a Melvin Jones Fellowship helps LCIF support humanitarian efforts around the world.
A Call to Action for Every Club in MD36-O
As District Governor, I am asking every Lions Club in MD36-O to recognize at least one deserving Lion with a Melvin Jones Fellowship during the 2026–27 Lions year.
Here is the challenge:
By October 31, 2026: Each club should identify a Lion whose commitment to service deserves recognition. Bring the name to your club’s board or membership for discussion and approval.
By November 30, 2026: Establish your club’s plan for the $1,000 LCIF contribution. Clubs can determine how they will raise or provide the funds while involving members in the process.
By January 31, 2027: Complete the fellowship process with LCIF and schedule a special presentation recognizing your Lion.
By March 31, 2027: Every participating club should celebrate its Melvin Jones Fellow at a club meeting, community event or other appropriate gathering—and share the story of that Lion’s service with fellow Lions.
Then, let’s come together at the end of the Lions year and celebrate what MD36-O has accomplished.
I especially encourage every club to ask one simple question at your next meeting:
“Who is our Linda?”
Who is the Lion who is always there? Who quietly gives their time, takes responsibility, helps others succeed and steps forward when something needs to be done?
Find that Lion. Recognize that Lion. And make the $1,000 contribution to LCIF in that Lion’s honor.
When we do this, we accomplish two things at once: we celebrate the people who make our clubs strong, and we extend their spirit of service through LCIF to people around the world.
Linda’s example reminds us that one Lion’s service can create a ripple. Imagine the ripple when clubs throughout MD36-O act together.
By October 31, identify your Lion. By November 30, make your plan. By January 31, complete the fellowship. By March 31, celebrate your Lion.
Let’s make 2026–27 the year MD36-O recognizes the Lions who serve quietly, gives generously to LCIF, and creates ripples of service that reach around the world.