Rejoicing: Thurmont Lions Club Education/Community Night
by lion Ruth Heaney
In 1993, Gene Long, President of the Thurmont Lions Club, hosted the initial event to highlight Thurmont’s accomplishments in education and in the community. Years passed. Projects expanded, which increased the amount of funds raised. The Thurmont Lions continued Mr. Long’s ideals of serving others and recognizing accomplishments in many fields.
Fast forward to May 27, 2026. The parking lot at St. John’s Lutheran Church was packed for the celebration of “Rejoicing: Thurmont Lions Club Education/Community Night.” It was the cap-off for Team Thurmont Lions Club year-long projects, including the famed Sandwich Sales, the scrumptious homemade chocolate bars, the Christmas Extravaganza, the Christmas cookie bake-off, and the hearty soup sales.
With joy and Lions Club honor, the following institutions and organizations received funds:
Scholarship Presentations: (by FVP Doug Favorite) to four talented and resolute high school graduates attending Alabama University (business), West Virginia University (engineering), Brigham Young University (chemistry), and a continuing scholarship at FCC (nursing).
Student Awards: Lion Award and Junior Lion Award (presented by Lion Sharon Morgan) from TMS and CHS.
Leo of the Year: (presented by Lion Barry Burch) from SES Leo Club and CHS Leo Club.
School Presentations: (by Lion Lisa Riffle) including Sabillasville Environmental Charter School, Mother Seton School, Emmitsburg Elementary School, Lewistown Elementary School, Thurmont Primary School, and Catoctin High School.
Lion Presentations: (by SVP Maxine Troxell) Camp Merrick Maintenance Fund, District 22W Diabetes Awareness, District 22W Hearing Camperships, District 22W Mobile Screening Van, Leo Club at Catoctin High School, Leo Club at Sabillasville Environmental Charter School, Leo Club at Thurmont Middle School, Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), Lions Saving Kids Sight Foundation, Lions Vision Research Foundation, Inc. & Low Vision Endowment Fund, and Lions Youth Foundation.
Community Presentations: (by 3VP Marci Veronie) to Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Catoctin FFA, CHS Safe & Sane 2026, Children of Incarcerated Parents, Guardian Hose Company, Jelly Bean Cat Rescue, Make a Difference in Thurmont Fund, Main Street Thurmont, MD27 Envirothon, Patty Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund, Seton Center, Inc., Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Thurmont Addiction Committee, Thurmont Food Bank, Thurmont Historical Society, Thurmont Parks & Recreation Committee, Thurmont Regional Library, and Thurmont Senior Center, Inc.
Veteran Presentation: (by Lion Don Keeney) to ILT Rob Seidel Wounded Soldier Fund, Hero Dogs, Inc., Maryland Patriot Guard, Operation Second Chance, and Thurmont Gold Star Monument.
Also receiving awards during the 2025-2026 year were Platoon 22, Frederick County 4-H, Therapeutic Riding Club, and Advocates for the Homeless.
“Rejoicing: Thurmont Lions Club Education/Community Night” was an evening to be remembered for achievement in multiple areas and for recognizing the Thurmont Lions Club donations offered to those who worked and achieved a goal, to those who served anyone in need, to those with four legs helping people, and to the military who served and still serve our country in numerous ways.
There are many opportunities in the Thurmont Lions Club to use the talent in each of us. Visit www.thurmontlionsclub.com for more information. Click in this order: Get Involved, Volunteer, Contact a Lion form requesting name, email, phone number, and a reason for contacting a Lion. A Lion will follow up with a call or email.
Pictured from left are SVP Maxine Troxell, presenter; PDG Nadja Muchow (LYF); PCC Evan Gillett (LVRF); PID Dick Liebno (LSKS); Sadie Wiles (Sabillasville Environmental School Leo Club); Lion Dianne Walbrecker (District 22W Diabetes Awareness and Hearing Camperships); PCC Brian Cox (District 22W Mobile Screening Van/ LCIF); Lion Corey Chisholm-Hodges (Catoctin High School Leo Club); Lion Lis Ruppel (Thurmont Middle School Leo Club); Amy Bellarmino (Catoctin High School Leo Club); and Jan Zeigler (Camp Merrick).
Pictured from left are Lion Don Keeney, presenter; Lion Julie El-Taher, Gold Star Family Monument; Ted Nettles, Md Patriot Guard; Cindy McGrew, Operation Second Chance; Sabrina Zambino, Hero Dogs; and Sandy Seidel, 1Lt Rob Seidel Wounded Soldier Fund.
Pictured from left are Doug Favorite, presenter; Jared Turner; Benjamin Harbaugh; and Payton Evans.
Pictured from left are Lion Lisa Riffle, presenter; Jen Clements, Catoctin High School; Jennifer Buchmeister, Mother Seton School; Joan Musselman, Lewistown Elementary School; Sadie Wiles, Sabillasville Environmental School; and Mary Beth Smith, Emmitsburg Elementary School.
Pictured from left are Lion Barry Burch, presenter; Amy Bellarmino, Catoctin High School Leo Club; Rona Zheng (CHS Leo of the Year); Sadie Wiles, Sabillasville Environmental School Leo Club; and Justin Anderson, SES Leo of the Year.
Pictured from left are Sharon Morgan, presenter; Jr. Lion Award: Eleanor Satterlee; Jr. Lion Award: Patrick Kelley; Lion Award: Olivia Baker.
The Lions meet every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Gate Restaurant.
Everyone is welcome. Be assured that the Thurmont Lions Club members roar of appreciation for a visit will make you want to return!
