The Kosciusko Lions Club installed its new slate of officers during its meeting Tuesday, with Ryder Davis taking over as president for the coming year.
Joining Davis on the club’s leadership team are Josh Haidet as first vice president, Terry Culpepper as secretary, Jimmy Cockroft as treasurer, Jackson Gilmore and Kenny Nowell as board directors, Tony Holder and Dr. Steven Ray as tail twisters, Owen Oliver as Lion Tamer, and Justin Develin as immediate past president.
Develin led the installation ceremony before turning the program over to longtime Lions Club member Edwin Albin, who administered the installation and spoke about the responsibilities of each office and the club’s longstanding commitment to community service.
During the ceremony, Albin reflected on the club’s rich history in Kosciusko, noting that generations of members have worked to improve the community through fundraising and service projects.
Albin also encouraged newer members to embrace the Lions Club motto, “We Serve,” reminding them that the organization’s success has always been rooted in volunteerism and a willingness to give back.
He recalled many of the club’s fundraising efforts over the years, from selling brooms, mops, light bulbs and fruitcakes to its now well known chicken plate fundraiser and praised the community’s continued generosity in supporting projects such as the club’s annual Christmas Basket program.
“The reason the Lions Club has been successful through the years is because of the motto, ‘We Serve,"” Albin told members. “You need to think of the reason you got in the Lions Club. Did you get in it for the right reason? You want to serve the community.”
The meeting ended with new president Ryder Davis presenting Develin with a President’s Award in recognition of his leadership and service to the club during the past year.
