Hartville Lions open 2025-26 year with officer installations, awards presentation
Club welcomes new members, honors leaders with Melvin Jones Fellowships
Wayne Miller is a 2025 Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient.Tom Dwenger
Tom DwengerTomDwengerTom DwengerThe Hartville News
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On Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, Hartville Lions Club members and guests gathered at the Lake YMCA Pavilion to celebrate the first club meeting of the 2025-26 Lions year.
Ron Green received a Melvin Jones Fellowship.Tom Dwenger
After grilled steak and chicken from Duma Meats and side dishes provided by members, Ohio District 13OH4 First Vice District Governor Missy Harmon led a baseball-themed installation of 2025-26 officers, likening each office to a position on a team to highlight the importance of teamwork. Installed were: president, Sandy Procaccio; first vice president, Pete Procaccio; second vice president, Dave Barett; treasurer, Dr. Russell Koch; club administrator, Dr. David Lawson; recording secretary, Jonathan Wallace; Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) coordinator and immediate past president, Patrick Helderman; tail twister, Carolyn Koch; and lion tamer, David Wallace.
Harmon then initiated four new Hartville Lions — Lion Vance Brown, Lion David Wallace, Lion Jonathan Wallace and Lion Jeffrey Finefrock — who received pins and membership certificates. Lions Dave Lawson, Sandy Procaccio and Jonathan Wallace also received sponsor pins.
A Melvin Jones Fellowship was also presented to Sandy Procaccio.Tom Dwenger
The evening’s highlight was the presentation of three Melvin Jones Fellowships by District 13OH4 Governor Brett Housley, the highest LCIF honor for individuals — Lion or non-Lion — who exemplify the “We Serve” motto. Fellowships were awarded to Hartville Lion and president Sandy Procaccio, Hartville Lion Ron Green and Wayne Miller of Hartville Hardware.
Thanks went to the club “grill masters,” Lions Jonathan and David Wallace, with assistance from outgoing president Patrick Helderman, and to members and guests for the side dishes.
Visiting District 13OH4 dignitaries included Immediate Past District Governor Bill Humphrey and his wife, Sandy, of the North Canton Lions Club; Past District Governor Bob Booher and his wife, Lion Peggy, of the Canal Fulton Lions Club; and District 13OH4 Zone 7 Chairman James Harshman and his wife, Lion Marina, of the Alliance Lions Club. Their presence helped make the evening even more special.
