At the September 2023 Vergennes Lions picnic, Past International Director Tom Broughton addressed the assembled 53 Lions and guests. He shared that over the years Lions are always thankful when we get a person who is a Lion and gives five years of their life to service, but occasionally, the organization gets a Lion who is a Lion for life. This individual, whether male or female, commits themselves to a lifetime of service, both in small and large ways. They are always there and ready to help and no task is too small or too big. They define what it means to be a Lion and to serve others. At this point, PID Broughton invited PDG Larry Simino to join him at the front of the room to present the second highest award given in the Lions organization to a member of the Vergennes Lions Club. He presented on behalf of Past International President Brian Sheehan, the President Medal and Award to Vergennes Lion PDG Lion Larry Simino.

Lion Larry’s involvement with Lions started in 1964 as he shared his story with a reporter from the Valley Voice newspaper in 2014. https://www.vvoice.org/?module=displaystory&story_id=3984&format=print&edition_id=649