Lion Frank “Mac” Trunkey received the International Lions’ Club’s highest award, The Melvin Jones Fellowship, last month.
The Fellowship was established in 1973. Named for the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones, the fellowship is the foundation’s highest honor and recognizes a commitment to humanitarian service.
A finely crafted plaque and lapel pin were presented to Trunkey at the Officer Installation Dinner on June 19.
As a Melvin Jones Fellow, Mac Trunkey becomes a part of the growing network of individuals who are committed to improving the quality of life for people locally and in communities around the world; there are 281,850 Melvin Jones Fellows worldwide.
Fellow Lion Kyle Hall said of Trunkey, “Wherever the Lions is being of service, Mac is there, whether it’s in a leadership role or carrying things from one place to another.
“He rarely says no, and is always quiet and humble about it.”
Since joining in 1995, Trunkey served on the Board of Directors from 1996-1998. He also served as the Tent Installation Committee Chair 1998-2005 (he continues to serve on the Tent Committee -2005-2008, Lion Tamer/Board of Director Position (Greeter & Attendance Taker at weekly lunch meetings) and as Boy Scout Liaison.
Trunkey has also participated in Lions’ activities, including the health screening van, Toys for Tots, Christmas remembrance baskets, blood drives, salmon BBQs, woodcutting, Easter Egg hunts, and scholarships.
The Orcas Island Lions Club has only given 10 Melvin Jones Fellowships to its member Lions. Some of those recipients are Bud Russell, Wes Pomeroy, Dick Boberg, Duff Andrews, Toby Hiller, Dick Coe, Bud Winstell and Ted Barbieri.
The Lions Club was established on Orcas 37 years ago.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.3 million members. As the charitable arm of the association, LCIF makes grants for vital community and global projects that meet a wide range of humanitarian needs. The LCIF SightFirst program unites approximately 45,000 Lions clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas in a worldwide endeavor to significantly reduce preventable blindness..
