The Decatur County Lions Club held its Annual Awards Banquet on the evening of Tuesday, June 20, at J~Lo & Co.

Featured speaker and Installing Officer was Ken Markham, Past President and member of the Bainbridge Lions Club.  Certificates of Appreciation and Perfect Attendance Awards were presented to those who generously gave of their time and effort during the year.  For his dedication and hard work, the Club voted Charlie Laing Lion of the Year.

Club President Hardy Powell enumerated the Club’s many accomplishments during the year.  They included:  support to the Salvation Army through donations of school supplies and by collection of over $1,100 in the red kettles during the club’s day of ringing Christmas bells; support for Bainbridge Health & Rehab by donating personal care items, holding a fish fry for residents and staff, cleaning and replanting flower beds, and by serving popcorn, cotton candy and Sno-Cones at the facility’s Spring Fling; raised over $800 for the Georgia Lighthouse in two White Cane Days; support for the Kids ‘n’ Kops program; donations of 343 teddy bears and other stuffed critters for young victims of traumatic situations to the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department, the Bainbridge Public Safety Department and other emergency responders through its “Buford’s Bears” project; and donated over $2,000 to various worthy organizations and individuals.

Officers for the July 2017-June 2018 term are:  President Charlie Laing, Vice President Debbi Elkins, Secretary Carol Lewis, Treasurer Chuck Lewis, Chaplain Buddy Davis, Directors Buddy Davis and Doris White, Tail Twister Cotton Hester, Lion Tamer Dewey White and Membership Chairman Hardy Powell.  Installing Officer Ken Markham presented a plaque from Club members to outgoing President Hardy Powell in appreciation for his two years of dedicated leadership.

The Decatur County Lions Club members look forward to another outstanding year of service and growth.