Lions Club District Governor Mark Osthus presents the Lions Club Presidential Award to Gene Erickson of Grand Marais on May 20.
Gene Erickson of Grand Marais has been honored with the prestigious Presidential Award, which was presented by Lions Club District Governor Mark Osthus May 20.
Osthus came to Grand Marais to present Erickson with the award during the club’s recruitment open house at East Bay Suites.
“This award is given to only one Lion each year so our club is happy for and proud of Lion Gene,” said Grand Marais Lions Club Secretary Millie Spry.
Erickson has been a Lion since Oct. 1, 1967, and was nominated because he is representative of so many Lions who never seek high office, but are satisfied to work hard on local projects, attend meetings faithfully, and who spend a lot of time thinking about who else might be a good Lion and then inviting them, explained Spry.
In presenting the award, Osthus said, “In 1992, I was Lion Gene’s pastor and he graciously invited me to join. Thus, Lion Gene is on record as having sponsored two Lions who later became district governors.
Lion Gene is always at the heart of any project taken on by the Grand Marais club. This wonderful club works hard for weeks in preparation for the area’s largest festival, Fishermen’s Picnic. The Lions club is at the heart of this event raffling prizes and selling fishburgers, a treat from the fresh waters of Lake Superior, only 50 feet away from the burger stand where the hot and sweaty work goes on.”
“The only award to which Lion Gene ever aspired was the 25-year perfect attendance pin. However, he was saddened and shocked that this award was discontinued the very year in which he qualified. Gene didn’t get mad and quit. The Lions Club is too important to the Grand Marais community to do that. He simply dug in and worked all the harder. And so, Lion Gene, although you didn’t get a 25-year perfect attendance pin, you are now receiving the highest award that can be received on the district level: a Presidential Award medal. Wear it with pride and know the appreciation of this convention for representing every Lion who serves, simply because it is needed,” Osthus said.
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