PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On Monday November 11, 2019, the Sint Maarten Lions Club was one of the recipients to receive the UNSUNG HEROES award by the director of the St. Maarten in Retrospect Foundation(SIR). The occasion marked the 20th anniversary of the St. Maarten in Retrospect program and the 60th anniversary celebration of St Maarten Day.This prestigious award was presented to Lion Oralie Boirard, Lion Club President 2019-2020 and Past District Governor Lion Wally Havertong PMJF during an interview with hosts of St. Maarten in Retrospect television program.
The Sint Maarten Lions Club was chartered on December 12, 1975 and since its inception, the club has become a well-known name on the island through the membership tireless service to the community. Over the years, the hard working and dedicated members of the Sint Maarten Lions Club were able to raise the funds, which provided the opportunity to donate to several organizations and construct important landmarks on the island. Some of which are:
• Donation of the 1st dialysis machine to the St. Maarten Medical Center
• Donation of a bus to a school
• Donation of wheel chairs to the St. Maarten Medical Center
• Construction of (2) bus stops on the L.B. Scot Road
• Construction of a playground in St. Peters
• Construction of the Lions Civic Center in Sucker Garden
• Hosting of two eye screening projects for primary school students The club continues to work tirelessly for the people of Sint Maarten with fundraising projects such as the Annual Lions Christmas Bingo Spectacular and car raffles amongst others.The Sint Maarten Lions club and the two Leo clubs, namely the Alpha Leo club and the Omega South Leo club, annually hosts events such as the Lion Nelson van de Linde Senior Seniors Party and the Lion Rudy Hoeve Health and Wellness Fair; donating glasses to those in need, assisting schools with various projects and the distribution of Christmas baskets among many other projects.
The Board of Directors and the members of the Sint Maarten Lions Club would like to say thank Mr. Elton Richardson and team of the “St. Maarten in Retrospect” team for recognizing our club as a “Unsung Hero” on Sint Maarten. Our club wish the St. Maarten In Restrospect team much success as they continue to reflect on the past and share information to public on the history of Sint Maarten – Saint Martin.
