Senate Resolution No. 1635

BY: Senator MAYER

COMMENDING the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club
upon the occasion of its 103rd Anniversary

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those outstanding organizations whose purposeful endeavors
enhance the quality of life in their communities and beyond, and whose
commitment to service embodies the highest standards of excellence; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club upon the occasion of its
103rd Anniversary to be celebrated on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the
Larchmont Shore Club in Larchmont, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs
International, one of the largest service organizations in the world,
and is deeply committed to meeting the unique needs of the communities
it serves; and

WHEREAS, Lions Clubs are recognized worldwide for their service to
the blind and visually-impaired; this service began when Helen Keller
challenged the Lions to become her "knights of the blind in the crusade
against darkness" during the Lions' 1925 international convention; and

WHEREAS, Founded on February 27, 1923, by a group of citizens of
Larchmont and Mamaroneck, New York who were drawn by the promise of
camaraderie in doing old-fashioned, good deeds for others, the Larchmont
and Mamaroneck Lions Clubs were created to serve their communities; and

WHEREAS, Since its foundation, the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club
boasts a clear mission to aid the blind and visually impaired, assist
youth, promote education, and fulfill community needs; the larger Lions
Clubs International organization promotes fostering a spirit of
understanding among peoples of the world and encourages civic, cultural,
and social engagement within communities; and

WHEREAS, The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club has been involved in
various community projects throughout its history, including donating
braille books, typewriters, electronic sight testing equipment, large
print books and tapes, and thousands of used eyeglasses for recycling;
and

WHEREAS, The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club has conducted outings
for members of the Lighthouse and, through creative fundraising,
consistently supported the Visions Center on Blindness and Guiding Eyes
for the Blind; and

WHEREAS, Supporting other initiatives, Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions
Club members provided kits for soldiers overseas, sponsored Babe Ruth
Leagues, bought benches and trash bins for the town, a defibrillator for
the fire department, and built a bus shelter; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club started a
scholarship for a MHS senior that was based on service to community,
school and house of worship; and

WHEREAS, Keeping a strong connection with the community, the
Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club have brought people together with its
events such as a fishing expedition in the Sound, a night at the
Westchester Dinner Theatre, a day at Belmont's races, a Hole in One
Tournament at Hommocks School, and a Bike Race; and

WHEREAS, Paving the way for progress, attorney Delores Batallia,
then Supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck, became the first female
member of the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club in 1987, then, in 1992,
Sondra Calvin-Singer became first female president of the club; and

WHEREAS, The Larchmont Lions Club was dormant from 2006-2010 until
Jagadish Rao, a past district governor of the Lions in another district,
moved to Larchmont and revived and re-chartered the Club; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, the Larchmont and Mamaroneck Clubs, serving
adjacent neighborhoods, merged; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its members, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club upon the occasion of
celebrating its 103rd Anniversary, and to honor its members, past and
present, who have labored so conscientiously to secure and improve the
quality of life in the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club.