The lavish celebration at Antun’s Banquet Hall in Queens Village on Saturday, Oct 29 was befitting the 40 years of outstanding service the Brooklyn Crown Heights Lions Club Inc. has given to residents of the community through its outreach programs to improve the lives of humanity under its motto: “We Serve.”
The organization, which inducted new members and presented current Lions with plaques for their dedicated service, also honored 10 community leaders whose stellar work in several fields were acknowledged with Lion Awards.
Borough President Eric Adams, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Senator Kevin Parker and Councilmembers Mathieu Eugene and Jumaane Williams, honored the citizens with Proclamations, Community Service Awards, and Citations.
The honorees are: Dwayne R. Norris, is a five-time qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table Life Insurance Agent with New York Life, a community activist and homeless shelter volunteer.
Sybil F. Griffith-Chester is Guyanese-born and an ambassador in the Caribbean and African-American communities. She is a former Senior Manager of Multicultural Relations at Schieffelin & Somerset Company.
Griffith-Chester, who has won many accolades for her work with the NAACP Image Awards, and Caribbean Music Awards, among others, uses her wealth of experience to consult with wine companies, and strongly believes in giving back to the community.
Leroy Bradford is a clinician in physical therapy, and serves as an advocate for six mentally, physically disabled people living in a group home in Brooklyn. He uses his passion and love of dance to teach various types of ballroom dances and interacts socially at LB’s Social Dance Club in Brooklyn.
Like his counterpart, Lennox Marious loves to dance, and uses his talent to raise funds for juvenile diabetes. The USB Financial Services professional has taught many students in the art of ballroom dancing.
The Rev. Dr. Glenmore Bembry, Jr. has pastored at the Trinity Baptist Church of Brooklyn since 2001. He is also an adjunct professor of Theology and Philosophy at the Bloomfield College.
Nathaniel Fields is the president and CEO of the Urban Resource Institute and is a specialist in strategic vision and holistic functioning. He also enjoys being part of a community committed to improving the lives of others.
As a social justice advocate, Peter A. Boyke has worked tirelessly to help victims of crimes securing restitution, and obtaining orders of Protector for battered woman. He was promoted to director of Queens Mediation Center, where he ran the Conflict Resolution Center for 10 years.
Because of her caring, loving and compassionate personality, Lewanda J. Modeste became a nurse like her mother. She is also an ardent volunteered whose mission trip to Puerto Rico donated school supplies and toiletries to the less fortunate.
Gilman Figueroa, Sr. is a promoter of the Caribbean culture through art, music and poetry. He was inspired by the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener, and continues to raise the level of excellence with each of his exciting entertaining promotions.
Dessery Y. Foster has dedicated her life to healthcare, serving in the nursing profession for the last 25 years. As a nurse manager of Boro-Park Rehabilitation Center, she strives to deliver the best service to each patient.
The packed audience applauded the honorees, who, were congratulated by District Governor Jacqueline D. Williams as she lauded the Brooklyn Crown Heights Lions Club on its 40th Year Anniversary.
“Our neighbors and our fellow lions send you “Lion roars of approval” and “hugs of encouragement” to keep you all strengthened to continue your efforts,” said Williams, adding. “We know that you have accepted the international president’s theme of ‘New Mountains to Climb,’ while simultaneously celebrating the journey of a lifetime.”
“Congratulations and best wishes on the next 40 plus years,” Williams concluded.
President of the Brooklyn Crown Heights Lions Club Orin Hazelwood in his message told his fellow Lions that their goal must at all times be service to others, and to help the less fortunate with the hope ‘that each person or family we have made an impact on, will one day make the same commitment to help some one in need.”
Hazelwood said he hoped the service-minded tradition of the Lions Club spread beyond the community and throughout the world.
“I would like to extend my personal sincerest congratulations to the honorees,” he added.
And when it was all said and done, the Lions Club members danced the night away to a blend of popular music.
