Faulkner Named New President of Somers Lions Club

SOMERS, N.Y. - The Somers Lions Club’s latest leader takes tremendous pride in the service organization’s many contributions to the community.

Bill Faulkner, a town councilman and owner/operator of a flight school, was installed as club president along with other officers at the Lions’ annual changing of the guard, aka Charter Night.

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The event took place on June 21 at the Mahopac Gulf Club.

Passing the baton was outgoing president Dawn McEvoy. Presidents serve one-year terms.

Taking the mantle from Faulkner as first vice president was Judi McAnaw, a financial advisor with the investment banking company Edward Jones.

Meredith Byrne-Faulkner, who had been secretary, became second vice president. The new secretary is Melissa McEvoy.

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Lion of the Year was Harry Peterson, famed grillmeister of Lions’ fundraising events. Rookie of the Year was Michelle Marchetti, who was feted for her nearly perfect attendance record.

As usual, awards were bestowed and achievements of the past year highlighted. There was food, music, and fellowship.

“We danced the night away,” he said.

When asked what the new post means to him, Faulkner said it was “an honor and a privilege to be able to serve the community that I love in more than one capacity.”

There are currently 121 Lions and they are all volunteers who together embody the club’s motto: “We Serve.”

“It’s rewarding to actually see the positive impact that we’re making,” he said, crediting the successes to the entire membership’s “enthusiasm, dedication, and fun-loving spirit.”

Byrne-Faulkner was the recipient of the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, which honors outstanding individuals (both Lions and non-Lions) who, or organizations that, have provided a significant service to their club, district, or community.

Byrne was recognized for “going above and beyond,” as club secretary and as coordinator of fundraising events, he said.

Also receiving the Uplinger on behalf of Mavis Tire in Mahopac was its owner, Vinnie Papa. The business donates funds and prizes for the club’s fund-raisers.

Charter Night is not only a time to look ahead, but to acknowledge what’s come before.

Faulkner was pleased to unfurl a long list of things the club has done in the last year.

Recently, the Lions came to the rescue of a local family that was having a tough time following the death of one of its members, he said.

The ongoing “fixer-upper” project so far has involved replacing their home’s windows and roof as well as giving it a much-needed paint job and tidier landscaping.

It is being coordinated by Dr. Rick Bridgham, a Somers orthodontist, Faulkner said.

In May, the Lions held a carnival with rides, arcade games, and fair food at Fireman’s Field.

The four winners of the club’s Charity Car raffle were announced on July 3 at the Somers Independence Day celebration, which the club co-hosts with the town.

Held in Reis Park, it drew the biggest crowd that the town had seen “in 25 years,” he said. (The top prize was a new Ford or $30,000.)
In May, the Lions hosted a track meet that was participated in by students from dozens of high schools.

This October, it expects to mark the spooky season with a Trail of Terror at Reis Park. The popular Halloween event is primarily handled by the club’s youth branch, the Leos (which stands for Leadership, Experience, Opportunity). Leos raise funds by taking on various projects in the fields of health care, elders, children, disabled persons, literacy/education, and self-development.

The Trail of Terror was the brainchild of late Lion Herbert A. Reimann, known to family and friends as “The Herbinator” for his boundless energy and willingness to tackle any project, no matter how small or large.

In December, it will organize another “Illuminate Somers,” a caravan tour of holiday lights and decorations.

Folks compete for prizes in categories such as “best overall,” “community choice,” “most original,” “best figures and inflatables,” and “best classic decorations.”

Both Lions and non-Lions take part in the confidential “Adopt a Family” program by helping to fill a “wish list of Christmas gifts” submitted by recipients in need.

Members and the town also came to the aid of a single mom and two teen children who lost their Lovell Street home in a fire last winter.

“It’s been a very active, very positive year,” Faulkner said, adding that the club was able to raise a lot of money for some “really good causes,” and not just locally generated ones.

Those included sending aid to folks in war-torn Ukraine and to the victims of last August’s wildfires in Maui.

The environmental disasters killed more than 100 people on the Hawaiian island and caused nearly $6 billion in damages. The coastal community of Lahaina was all but leveled by the primary blaze, which destroyed close to 3,000 homes, businesses, and other structures.

“We are all volunteers,” said Faulkner noting that members pay dues to belong to the Lions. “Our shared vision and passion is to serve.”

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