The Benoni van Rhyn Lions Club presidential induction was extra special this year as it was also the celebration of two clubs becoming one, an induction of two new members and a lion receiving a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.
Held at their clubhouse at 111 Howard Avenue on October 10, the Benoni van Rhyn and Benoryn Lions Branch Club welcomed their incoming president, Sandra van Jaarsveld.
Benoni van Rhyn was chartered on December the 6, 1976, consisting of 20 members with Hoffie Hoffmeyer being the first chartered president.
In 1984, as women were still not allowed to join a Lions club and there were a few single women who were interested in serving the community, the Benoryn Lioness Club was formed by the then president John Greenly, of Benoni Van Rhyn.
In 1987 women were allowed to join the Lions clubs and the Lioness club was given the opportunity to join the lions club or remain on their own.
The Lions Club International tried to get all Lionesses to become Lions and in 2016, the Lionesses of Benoryn became Lions of Benoryn Branch Club.
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On July 1 the combined club said goodbye to outgoing president Vivien Hassett (Benoni van Rhyn) and welcomed van Jaarsveld, who was the outgoing president for Benoryn Branch Club, as the incoming president of the combined club.
Hassett could not attend the official induction but Janis van der Heiden read her and van Jaarsveld’s outgoing speeches.
Hassett wrote: “The last Lionistic year has certainly been one to remember. Covid-19 came along and disrupted all our lives and turned me into a refugee in New Zealand.”
She made mention of the successes the club had despite the pandemic:
• Provided groceries, set up a library and developed a learning scheme for the Sizuzile Primary School
• Held a Christmas party for the school
• Provided Lego kits to several schools and places of safety as Christmas gifts
• Feeding schemes
• Bingo nights
• Provided a Cloverdene school with laptops and technology equipment
• OR Tambo Baby project
“To incoming president, Sandra, I wish you a successful year ahead. Know you will receive the support from all the members of the combined Benoni van Rhyn as you carry the club into the 2020/2021 Lionistic year.”
Van Jaarsveld also provided feedback on the Benoryn Lionistic year as president:
• Monthly donations to Oliver’s House
• Donated Lego kits for a Christmas party
• Provide monthly care packs for LifeLine Ekurhuleni for the children who attend court
• Provided essentials for families at Angel Wings
As the incoming president of the combined club, van Jaarsveld spoke to her fellow Lions about various projects that have been ongoing and asked that it should continue as they look for more ways to benefit the community.
Past district governor Wynford Evans inducted van Jaarsveld and also presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award to Lion Jill Walden.
The Melvin Jones Fellowship Award was created in 1973, which is the highest form of recognition Lions clubs International Foundation for Humanitarian service. This can be given to a fellow Lion or member of the public for their outstanding service in their community.
A tearful Walden, who was surprised at the honorarium, said her late husband had also received the award and she will be placing her award next to his in her study.
It was not only a new beginning for the combined club and van Jaarsveld, but two members, Jane Jones and Ntokozo Makhoba, were also welcomed into the club to start their journey of helping the community.
Van Jaarsveld thanked all in attendance before closing the meeting and induction.
