Wilson County News | July 17, 2024

The Floresville Lions Club initiated its 80th anniversary year with an annual awards and installation banquet June 27 at Jack’s Café in Floresville. Lions International Past District Governor Sam Pantusa was the guest speaker for the evening. During his remarks before inducting new members, Lion Pantusa reminisced on what 80 years looked like to the club and the community served.
Honoring Lion Vernor Bippert for his 60 years of service was a highlight of the evening. Lion Bippert’s daughter, Eileen Pelech, was present to accept his Certificate of Appreciation awarded by International President Patti Hill, as well as a 60-year Milestone Chevron Award.Lions Nancy Hosek and Elaine Kolodziej were also recognized for their years of service, with each receiving a Milestone Chevron Award for 30 years.

The following Lions were recognized for their special roles in Lionism:
•Lion of the Year — Lion Oscar Saucedo
•Bob Workman Service Award — Lion Bonnie Sario
•LaJuana Newnam-Leus Life of Service Award — Lion Nancy Hosek
•Outstanding Leadership Award — Lion Marcia Tesauro

“Making a Difference Awards” were awarded to the following Lions — Gloria Duron, Laura Freabe, Lauren Gaudlitz, Kristen Weaver, and Derek Gaudlitz.

Lion President Linna Selby awarded “Distinguished Service Medals” to Juvie Merced, Katelund Petersen, Mary Ann Johnston, Roy Madero, Sylvia Madero, Sejal Patel, Bonna Reed, Gloria Sosa, Anthony Weaver, Carol Dean, Richard Bray, Melissa Grund, Paul Sack, and Jessica Rodriguez-Green.

The following Lions were recognized with “Certificates of Appreciation” — Elaine Kolodziej, Oscar Ahumada, Victor Wade, Rose Labus, Dr. Jason Gilstrap, Michael Schroller, Ben Reed, Faith Gaudlitz, David Bolivar, Ray Lamberth, and Monica Flores.

The evening was concluded with new member installation for Juvie Merced, Katelund Petersen, Stefanie Moore, Carlos Munoz, Brandon Petersen, and Stephen Moore.The Floresville Lions Club stays active throughout the year with small and large service projects. To join or learn more, visit www.floresvillelionsclub.org, call 830-391- 9397, or email info@floresvillelionsclub.org.

The District 2-A2 Second Cabinet Meeting was hosted by the Floresville Lions Club at the Wilson County Expo and Community Center in Floresville Oct. 7, 2023.

By Kristen Kolodziej Weaver
Wilson County News | July 5, 2023

Inspired by the famous quote by Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much,” the Floresville Lions Club celebrated another successful year of service with its annual installation and awards banquet June 22.

International Director Ernesto “T.J.” Tijerina and his wife, Juanita, were in attendance, as well as Past District 2-A2 Governor Steve Mays and his wife, Mary Ann, who are members of the La Vernia Lions Club.
Lion Lauren Gaudlitz opened the evening with a prayer remembering Floresville Lions who have recently passed away – Gary Dean, Al Kolodziej, and LaJuana Newnam- Leus. This was followed by the pledge to the U.S. and Texas flags, led by Lion Derek Gaudlitz.

Tijerina led the installation of new members, Jessica Rodriguez-Green and Danielle Flores. Immediate Past President Sejal Patel recognized Floresville Lions with annual awards. The Bob Workman Excellence in Lionism went to Lion Melissa Grund, and Lion Marcia Tesauro was recognized as Lion of the Year.

The newly established LaJuana Newnam-Leus Service Award went to Lion Bonnie Sario.
President Patel also honored the following Lions with a medal for special recognition for going “above and beyond” in service: Gloria Duron, Derek Gaudlitz, Lauren Gaudlitz, Nancy Hosek, Bonna Reed, Tony Weaver, and Linna Selby.Receiving certificates of appreciation for service to the club for their special roles were Oscar Ahumada, Mary Ann Johnston, Roy Madero, Sylvia Madero, Ben Reed, Paul Sack, Oscar Saucedo, Gloria Sosa, Kristen Kolodziej Weaver, and Elaine Kolodziej.

The following officers were sworn in by International Director Tijerina:
•Linna Selby, president
•Lauren Gaudlitz, vice president
•Kristen Kolodziej Weaver, 2nd vice president
•Nancy Hosek, club administrator/ secretary
•Marcia Tesauro, treasurer
•Oscar Saucedo, co-treasurer
•Gloria Sosa, membership director

•Tony Weaver, Lion tamer
•Oscar Ahumada, assistant Lion tamer
•Derek Gaudlitz, tail twister
•Gloria Duron, assistant tail twister.
•Bonnie Sario, 2-year director
•Bonna Reed, 2-year director
•Gloria Duron, 1-year director
•Paul Sack, 1-year director
•Sejal Patel, immediate past president

Following remarks by Tijerina, Patel passed the gavel to Selby. She described her goals for the club in the new year, reminding the club of Helen Keller’s words that still carry forward today — “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”

Kristen Kolodziej Weaver is a member of the Floresville Lions Club and is the director of operations for the Wilson County News.

Join the Lions!
The Lions Club vision is to empower Lions clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding.
Lions support various causes, including diabetes, vision and hearing, hunger, environment, and childhood cancer.
The Floresville Lions Club stays active throughout the year with small and large service projects.
If you have a heart for serving, the Lions have a place for you.
Learn more at floresvillelionsclub.org, call 830-391- 9397, or email info@floresvillelionsclub.org.

‘Together We Can and Together We Will’

By WCN Staff
Wilson County News | April 25, 2023

The Lions Club International District 2-A2 64th annual convention was held in Kerrville April 14-15.

Saturday night’s banquet included recognition of Herb C. Petry Jr. Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of the M.P. “Mike” Butler Ambassador of Service Award.

Among the local Lions who were recognized were Elaine Kolodziej, Floresville; Past District 2-A2 Governor Juanita “Janie” Garza, Stockdale; Nancy Hosek, Floresville; Mary Ann Mays, La Vernia; District 2-A2 Governor Steve Mays, La Vernia; and Dennis Jupe, Converse.
Awards and recognition were presented by International Director Ernesto “TJ” Tijerina, Past International Director M.P. “Mike” Butler, and District 2-A2 Governor Lion Steve Mays.

Lion Elaine Kolodziej

Lion Elaine Kolodziej was inducted into the District 2-A2, Herb C. Petry Jr. Hall of Fame in 2023.

Lion Elaine entered Lionism in 1994 as a Member of the Floresville Lions Club, where she has remained active for the past 29 years. She has served her club in many officer positions, including Club Director, and First and Second Vice President, being recognized by Lions Clubs International for her leadership ability. Lion Elaine has also, on two occasions, received the coveted President’s Award from the Floresville Lions Club.

Lion Elaine has been a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Floresville for over 20 years, serving on the Sacred Heart School Council for a number of those years; prior to that time, she taught CCD at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Elmendorf for almost 20 years.

Lion Elaine has also been very active in community affairs as a respected leader in Floresville and Wilson County. She has served on the board of directors of the Wilson County Economic Development Foundation, the Floresville Economic Development Corp., and Wilson County Historical Society, and served as a member of the Texas Press Association, National Newspaper Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Crime Stoppers of Wilson County, Floresville Main Street Program, and the Sister City Project with Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico.

Lion Elaine has the total respect of her community and has been recognized as a Volunteer of the Year by the Texas Community Newspaper Association and Regional Citizen of the Year by the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG).
Lion Elaine is a true asset to her community. The publisher and owner of the Wilson County News for the past 39 years and the La Vernia News for the past 12 years, she is dedicated to serving her community by providing the news, educating the public, encouraging reading, and supporting numerous organizations like her local Lions Club.

Lion Elaine would be the first to tell you that anything she may have accomplished could not have been done without the support of her fellow club members.

PDG Juanita ‘Janie’ Garza

Past District 2-A2 Governor Lion Juanita “Janie” Garza was inducted into the District 2-A2, Herb C. Petry Jr. Hall of Fame in 2023.

Janie developed her unceasing desire to help others as a young child, when an examination and eyeglasses were provided her by Lions of her community. The desire was further enhanced when she accepted an invitation to become a Texas Lions camper. When she reached the appropriate time and circumstance, she imitated the role modeling of those Lions in 2004, and was sworn into membership of the La Vernia Lions Club. In her effort to expand Lionism, she worked on building a new club in her community, becoming a Charter Member of the Stockdale Lions Club in 2013, where she continues as a Member in Good Standing.

Lion Janie is a remarkable example of Lionistic service and has held offices in the La Vernia Lions Club and the Stockdale Lions Club.

She has performed various leadership and service roles in the District 2-A2 Zone.
Lion Janie also served on the District 2-A2 Lions Sight Research Foundation, Human Needs Board, KidSight Program, and the Children’s Services Program.

She has been a representative for Texas Lions Camp Council and a chair for Multiple District Vision within Multiple District 2, Texas, Council of Governors.
Past District 2-A2 Governor Janie continually demonstrates her passion for heeding Helen Keller’s invitation to the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind,” through her ongoing work and leadership in establishing and fostering programs in the prevention of vision impairment and blindness. Her dedication and knowledge in this arena has prompted State of Texas officials to call on her to advise other groups that wish to engage in these areas of service. Lion Janie led a close-knit team of Lion volunteers to establish the current successor to the District’s KidsSight Program, now known as the Children’s Services Program of District 2-A2.

Lion Janie’s dedication and service have been recognized with many Lions Club awards. Among these are Club Lion of the Year, District 2-A2 Lion of the Year, a Lions Sight Research Foundation Volunteer of the Year and Knight of the Blind Award recipient, numerous District Governor’s Certificates of Appreciation, Lions International Presidential Certificates of Appreciation, International Medal of Merit, the Lions International Presidential Certificate of Achievement, and the International President’s Leadership Medal. In addition to her many hours of service, Lion Janie serves as the primary caregiver to her mother and father. She also served the community in the wake of the Sutherland Springs church shooting in 2017.

Lion Past District 2-A2 Governor Janie Garza is considered one of the most outstanding Lions in District 2-A2.

Awards

District 2-A2, Herb C. Petry Jr. Hall of Fame Inductees – Lion Ken Book, SA Region 20; Past District 2-A2 Governor Juanita “Janie” Garza, Stockdale; and Lion Elaine Kolodziej, Floresville

Recipients of the International President Certificate of Appreciation – Lion Abel Martinez, SA Edgewood; Lion Nancy Hosek, Floresville; Lion Debbie Book, SA Region 20; and Lion Mary Ann Mays, La Vernia

Recipients of the International Leadership Medal – Lion Earnest Hamilton, SA Alamo City; Lion Dennis Jupe, Converse; Lion Joe Guerra, SA Edgewood; and Lion Bob Grubb, Converse

Recipients of the International Presidential Award – PDG Janie Garza, Stockdale and Lion Juanita Tijerina, SA First Ladies

District 2-A2 Lion of the Year – PDG Chris Lloyd.