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PHILIPSBURG:---Lion Alphons Gumbs has been appointed as the new District Zone Chairperson of Zone 2B for the Sint Maarten Lions Club for the Lionistic year 2021-2022. The announcement was made on Saturday, June 26th at the Paradise Event Hall, Cay Hill as the curtains came down on the celebration of the 50th Anniversary year of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, under the theme 50 years of dedicated service and commitment to our community, with the Installation Ceremony of the Board of Directors of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, St. Maarten Alpha Leo Club and Sint Maarten South Omega Leo Club.
Lion Alphons Gumbs will be serving on the Cabinet of the District Governor as the Zone Chairperson for Zone 2B which consists of the islands of St Maarten, Saba, St Eustatius, and Anguilla. When asked to comment on his new role, Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs remarked I am looking forward to working closely with the Presidents of each Club in our Zone not only to guide their Clubs in leadership development and growth of its members but also ensuring that the Clubs are functioning optimally while promoting service activities in their communities.
During his farewell address as President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club for the year 2020- 2021 to the large audience observing Covid 19 protocols and comprising of his fellow Lions, Leos, representatives from Lions Club Ile de St Martin, Lions Club Oualichi, Lions Club Fort Louis and other invited guests, Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs expressed deep satisfaction with the many achievements of the Lions Club under his leadership during the past Lionistic year.
He stated that it was indeed a pleasure to have served in this capacity. We were forced to serve in a difficult time due to the Covid 19 pandemic and find innovative ways to serve and raise funds in order to continue meeting the expectations of our community. This Lionistic year will be remembered by all for years to come as we had to charter through rough waters. Due to the pandemic and social distancing guidelines, many of the Clubs larger Projects had to be canceled or postponed, one such Project being the annual Lion Wally Havertong Christmas Bingo that is popular among the community.
He continued The year 2020- 2021 has seen the Sint Maarten Lions Club membership rise to the occasion as we had to serve in uncertain times, but the rewards of the service we offered by far outweighed the challenges we faced.
Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs elaborated As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, our Club partnered with several NGOs, Service Clubs and Organizations on Projects, 3 with the Rotary Clubs on St Maarten and 1 from the Netherlands. A joint Project on Prostate Cancer Awareness was organized with the Positive Foundation and Electrolytes Foundation during Mens Health Month and a Partnership Initiative with the Vision Centre provided us with more than 50 eye screening tests for our youth. Some other Projects included the road signs which have been re-erected in several Districts and the Cottage Round-about on the A.T Illidge Road which was decorated during the Christmas Holiday Season with assistance from the business community. The Club was also recognized by District Governor Sub District 60B, Lion Maureen Graham, PMJF for having the best Sustainable Project within the 20-island District. This Project was the donation of a mixer, baking accessories, and pastry books to Ms. Aisha Genaro, a young entrepreneur in Pastry and Baking.
Two major highlights for the year as President of the Club was the election of Lion Claudio Buncamper PMJF to serve as District Governor, Sub District 60B, making history as the 4th District Governor from the Sint Maarten Lions Club and the accomplishment of the South Omega Leo Club to produce the first Leo President of the District in the person of Leo Nichelle Smith-Abreu. Both persons would be serving in these roles from the new Lionistic year starting on July 1st.
Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs went on to say that he was particularly proud to announce that several Lion members had graduated from the Lions University Bachelors and Masters Programs while 6 new members were welcomed to the Club. He congratulated the Sint Maarten Lions Club for hosting the annual Sub-District 60B Convention and the Opening Ceremony of the Multiple District 60 Convention at which our Hon. Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria Jacobs was the keynote Speaker. Both virtual Events were a huge success.
In closing, Past President Lion Alphons Gumbs again thanked the Lions and Leo membership for their commitment and dedication to service and their unwavering support under his leadership. Teamwork makes the dream work, he concluded, referring to a quote from Walter Reuther, There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.