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Naperville
Friday, March 29, 2024

Naperville Noon Lions member receives prestigious honor

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In April, Naperville Noon Lions Club member Katie Hertzberg became the recipient of the George Lazansky Distinguished Service Award during the Lions District 1-J annual convention held at the Naperville Marriott Hotel. The award was presented by John Hilliard, District 1-J Governor.

This high honor was named to remember the late Lion George Lazansky who served as the District 1-J first governor in 1951. The award is presented to only a handful of Lions annually.

Nominees of this award are Lion members who have excelled not only in their contribution to their Club and community, but also have served or demonstrated “Lionism” at the District or higher level and have performed outstanding humanitarian achievements.

Hertzberg became a member of the Naperville Noon Lions Club in 2001, between her sophomore and junior years while a student at the University of Illinois (Urban – Champaign). Even as a student, she was active at the Lions funnel cake booth at Naperville’s Rifest logging more hours than any other member of the Club during her student years. In addition, she has served as co-chair of the Club’s Social Service Program. She received the Lions “Spirit” award in 2008.

After graduating from the University of Illinois, she went on to Illinois College of Optometry – Chicago graduating in 2007, earning a Doctor of Optometry degree. Ever since, she has practiced as an optometrist in the western suburbs, primarily in Naperville.

During the past 10 years, Hertzberg’s volunteer spirit has taken her around the globe participating in the eye care missions. Foreign mission trips included Obregon, Mexico, in 2009; Benin, Africa in 2010; and Thailand in 2012. Domestic mission trips included Sioux Reservation in Crow Creek, South Dakota and many 5-day clinic missions to serve the Public Schools of Chicago between 2008 and 2012.

During mission trips, teams of eye care professionals (doctors, technicians and support staff) provide comprehensive examinations and deliver donated eyeglasses to individuals in need, most of whom have never seen an eye doctor.

Hertzberg also teams with two other Naperville Noon Lions Club optometrists to provide eye screenings for pre-school students at Ann Reid Early Learning Center in Naperville.

As a young professional, raising an active 2-year-old daughter, she somehow manages to find time to volunteer at the John Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, where she has amassed over 2,000 hours over the last 10 years as a certified SCUBA Divemaster, working in the Wild Reef exhibit.

“Confident, cheerful and hard-working, Dr. Katherine Hertzberg is a credit to both the profession of optometry and the true spirit of Lionism and the Lions mission of supporting individuals with low vision and blindness,” stated Lions President Linda Strugalla. “It is truly an honor to have her as a member of the Naperville Noon Lions Club.”

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PN Ombudsman
PN Ombudsman
An ombudsman is Scandinavian in origin dating back to Viking times; and refers to a community representative; usually acting independently on behalf of an organization, body of elected officials, or civic group. Thanks Scandinavia for inventing ombudsman.

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