Senate Resolution No. 445

BY: Senator BORRELLO

COMMEMORATING the 70th Anniversary of the Olean
Lions Club on April 1, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those renowned organizations of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the welfare of the
citizens of the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Olean Lions Club to be
celebrated at an event on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Allegany
American Legion; and

WHEREAS, The Olean Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International,
one of the largest service organizations in the world, and is deeply
committed to meeting the challenges of public service; and

WHEREAS, The goal of the Olean Lions Club and the entire Lions
organization is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet
humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international
understanding; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Lions are recognized worldwide for their
service to the blind and visually-impaired; this service began when
Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become her "Knights of the blind in
the crusade against darkness" during the Lions' 1925 International
Convention; and

WHEREAS, The Olean Lions Club was first organized on November 11,
1952, and officially chartered on December 31, 1952, with 24 members and
the support of the Jamestown Lions Club; today, the Club consists of 12
active members who diligently work to make their community a better
place to live, work and play; and

WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission of service to community and
to the world, the Olean Lions Club continues to demonstrate its profound
commitment by providing eye exams and eyeglasses for those in need, in
not only its community, but throughout the United States and around the
world; and

WHEREAS, The Olean Lions Club has also participated in numerous
projects and fundraising events including selling light bulbs, Lions
mints and Halloween candies; yard, White Cane and hot dog sales; Journey
For Sight Walk; various raffles; Give The Gift Of Sight annual letters
to businesses in the Olean/Allegany areas; holds a yearly joint Euchre
Tournament To Fight Diabetes with the Hamilton Court No. 2 Order of the
Amaranth; and has partnered with the Allegany-Limestone Leo Club,
Hinsdale Central School, Olean Middle School and the Salamanca Senior
Center to make and deliver no-sew blankets to the Southern Tier Child
Advocacy Center; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Olean Lions Club has given five Robert J.
Uplinger awards for community service in the past few years, and several
Bert Dohl Memorial Scholarships to seniors in the Allegany-Limestone and
Olean Schools; and

WHEREAS, The Olean Lions Club also donates funds to Camp Badger,
YMCA, Genesis House, Dept. of Aging (Meals On Wheels Program), 12 Days
of Skating and the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center and Interfaith
Caregivers; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 70-year history, the Olean Lions
Club has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and
communities which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Olean Lions Club is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is, and
always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all
endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Olean Lions Club, and to commend
its members, past and present, who have labored so conscientiously to
secure and improve the quality of life in the community; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Olean Lions Club.