Naperville Noon Lions Club welcomes new board of directors, officers

Above / The Naperville Noon Lions recently inducted its new board of directors for the upcoming year. The Executive Board will be served by Jane Bowers, Secretary; Jim Woodring, Vice President; Linda Strugalla, President; and Bill Bleecker, Treasurer. (Photo courtesy Bob Hull)

The members of the Naperville Noon Lions Club and Foundation installed their new Board and Officers for the 2017-2018 fiscal year at their annual installation dinner on June 20. Installation ceremonies were conducted by Lion Jim Kiser, Lions District 1-J Zone Chairman and a member of the Darien Lions Club.

Linda Strugalla was installed as President following a successful term of outgoing President Steve Hertzberg. Other officers installed were Jim Woodring, Vice President, Jane Bowers, Secretary, Bill Bleecker, Treasurer.

Board members installed include Steve Hertzberg, Jim Ebers, Bob Hull, Maria Wilson, Ken Strugalla, Phil Barnum and Donna Kearney,

Brief bio of Linda Strugalla

Lion Strugalla stated she had no idea, when she joined the Lions Club nine years ago, that the Lion in Naperville were such a dedicated and hard-working group of men and women.

“It’s like a big extended family,” she said. “The members are always willing to step up and support each other when there is a task to be done.”

Lion Strugalla has been a member of the Board for six years, 2^nd Vice President and 1^st Vice President. She has served as volunteer coordinator for the 5 K Thanksgiving Day Turkey Committee, Program Chair and Donations Chair. In 2015, she was awarded the prestigious Melvin Jones Award from Lions Club International Foundation for dedicated humanitarian services.

Lion Linda’s vision for the next year is to raise awareness of the mission of the Naperville Noon Lions and “to continue the tradition of being one of the best and hardworking Lions Clubs in Illinois which supports those in need,” noted Bob Hull, publicity chair.

Naperville Noon Lions Club is known for its “Mmmm good” Funnel Cakes at Ribfest. Did you know? Immediate Past President Steve Hertzberg has been organizing the Funnel Cakes booth for 23 years! (PN File Photo)

Gifts to give totaled $250,000

Last year the Club through its Foundation raised over $250,000 from four fundraising events. These funds were used to support the Clubs mission of providing eye examinations, eye glasses and hearing examination to over 350 children and adults in the Naperville area who would not otherwise be able to afford these services. In addition, the Lions supported other initiatives in research and education of the blind and low vision individuals along with many Naperville social service agencies.

This year’s fundraiser within a fundraiser is set for June 30-July 3, 2017, in Knoch Park.

Look for the members of the Noon Lions Club to sell Funnel Cakes at 2017 Ribfest in the South Park, June 30 through July 3. All proceeds benefit the mission of the Lions.

Note also, registration is now in progress for the Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day.