September 11, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 Saddle River Valley Paton named Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Club Gary Paton was recently named a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Saddle River Valley Lions Club. The prestigious award was presented to Paton by Club President Jerry Michota before the entire membership at the September meeting, the first of the club’s new year. Paton was honored for his many years of service to the Lions, first as a member of the Monroe Lions Club and, since 1994, as part of the Saddle River Valley Lions Club. Paton has held a variety of leadership positions in the organization, chairing such committees as Youth, Civic Improvement, and Publicity & Public Relations. Over the years, he has been the club’s webmaster and served on the Education, Audit, Carnival, Sight, Human Services, Membership, and Car Raffle committees. Paton also served as the club’s 2009-10 president. Remarking on the quality and longevity of Paton’s service, Michota said, “Gary represents the true spirit of what being a Lion is all about. He is always there to lend a hand, to help those in need, and always putting others first.” Gracious in his acceptance of the award, Paton remarked that he was honored and humbled by the rec- ognition of his fellow Lions and promised to continue to do try his best to help the organization fulfill its mission of service. Each year since 1988, the Saddle River Valley Lions Club has donated at least $1,000 to the Lions Club Inter- national Foundation to further the foundation’s charitable work around the world. This annual donation is, in turn, recognized by the designation of a deserving member of the Saddle River Valley Lions Club as a Melvin Jones Fellow. Named for the founder of Lions International, the (continued on page 21) Saddle River Valley Lions Club President present the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award to club member Gary Paton.