A Colorado Park woman is among the first Lions Club members to be inducted as president virtually.
The presidential chain and pin were placed on Benita (Bonny) Diener on Saturday July 4, by her sister Sharon Kelderman.
The virtual induction ceremony was facilitated because of the national Covid-19 lockdown, by PDG (past district governor) Paula Lang.
Ms Diener said: “It is also a great way to show our Mitchell’s Plain community that all is not lost in the time of this pandemic.”
She will be at the helm for the fiscal year, ending June next year.
She said usually inductions were a glamorous celebratory affair.
Ms Diener is one of 1.4 million Lions across the globe stepping up to serve their communities. The local club has 24 members caring for and serving their communities.
Members pay fees to Lion Clubs International, which has been operational since 1917.
The local club, under the umbrella of the Lions District 410W, was chartered on October 10 2017 at the FROG Centre in Woodlands.
Members meet monthly in Colorado Park but since the lockdown they have been meeting virtually.
Ms Diener said Mitchell’s Plain families were struggling even more now during the pandemic.
“Unemployment is at a heightened level – giving rise to hunger, poverty and crime.
“Our people are in a depressive state. They are battling to keep their heads above water.
“It is imperative that we keep the food distribution consistent in order to keep building immunity at this time of Covid-19.”
She said children and the elderly were the most vulnerable.
“We rely on the goodness from the public and businesses to assist us with donations in cash or kind to put smiles on the faces of our people,” said Ms Diener.
For more information about the Lions Club call Ms Diener on 082 662 1692.