Uniontown Lions Club backs local Olympics

At its meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Uniontown Lions Club welcomed Susie McKelvey of the Stark County Exceptional Olympics as its guest speaker.

Members learned that the Stark County Exceptional Olympics is a cooperative effort involving Alliance City, Brown Local, the Carroll County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Canton Local, Carrollton Exempted Village, Dalton Local, Fairless Local, Green Local, Jackson Local, Lake Local, Louisville City, Marlington Local, Massillon City, Minerva Local, North Canton City, Northwest Local, Osnaburg Local, Perry Local, Plain Local, Sandy Valley Local, the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Strasburg-Franklin Local and the Stark County Educational Service Center.

Last year’s event served more than 750 students from preschool through high school and beyond. This year’s Stark County Exceptional Olympics will be held May 8, 2026. More information is available at starkcountyesc.org/exceptional-olympics.

The Uniontown Lions Club presented a $1,000 check to McKelvey in support of the 39th annual Stark County Exceptional Olympics. Club members said they are grateful for the continued partnership with the organization.

During the meeting, the club also recognized Tom Besenyodi, who will celebrate 57 years of service to the Uniontown Lions Club on Feb. 1. Besenyodi joined the club Feb. 1, 1969.

A photo from the presentation includes, from left, Bill Robinson, Susie McKelvey, Jan Goddard, Tom Besenyodi, Larry Shubat, Shubat’s grandson and guest Brycen Vensel.