"Inestimable service," "tireless dedication," "ceaseless commitment to service," were among the words used by speakers as the work of the Western Pocono Lioness Club over the past 35 years was recognized and celebrated.

Detailing the beginning of that club was Lion/Lioness Rita Sweeney, a retired West End businesswoman who was there when a group of women met to discuss serving needs in the community.The Western Pocono Lions Club was not then accepting female members, so the Lioness Club was born, with Mary Jane Smith, wife of the late Pleasant Valley School District teacher and administrator Art Smith, and now living in Millerton, serving as charter president.Sweeney served as the club's fourth president in the 1981-82 program year.The club has raised over $250,000 over the past 35 years $18,800 gathered this past year under the leadership of club president Ruth Smith. The money has been donated to organizations meeting needs or providing service to the community. That roster includes Smith's favorite, the upcoming patriotic coloring contest at the Chestnuthill Township Park.Other service projects include supporting education, aiding those with visual and hearing disabilities, helping fire companies, sending youth to camp, driving seniors, baking cookies for the Lions Club-sponsored fall foliage tour, collecting food for local food pantries, donating gifts to personal care residents for Christmas, helping animal shelters and many others.Chestnuthill Township was among the entities recognizing the club, with Supervisors Chuck Gould and Chris Eckert presenting a citation recognizing the Lioness Club as "a premier organization in the West End" and as having brought honor to the area.Reps. Mario Scavello and Rosemary Brown presented a citation from the state House sponsored by them and Rep. Michael B. Carroll, who was not present. They praised the club for doing so well with fundraising in tough times.Western Pocono Lions Club, which has sponsored the Lioness Club since its chartering, was lauded by Lions President Charles Rush, who noted the club's work for community, and Smith responded, "We couldn't be here without them."Vice President Nancy Beck and secretary Gail Malocheski shared other commendations including ones from state Sen. David Argall and Sen. Patrick Browne, the Monroe County Commissioners, and Bernie Kozen, who sent a certificate of special recognition for the club's tireless efforts raising funds.Also commending the Lioness Club for its "ceaseless commitment to service and Outstanding Dedication to the West End Community," was a recognition from the Western Pocono Community Library Board of Directors by Carol Kern, founder of the library.The club's Immediate Past President Virginia Lamendola told of joining the club seven years ago and wanting to volunteer. She said the club is filled with compassion. "It is all of us."Why she became Lioness was the topic of a member who has been a Lioness for over 12 years. Having visited with the Lioness on various occasions she saw the service they gave, the fellowship and fun they had, and when her calendar of life allowed, she joined.Using her hand in demonstration, she asked that members remember a television ad about the ability to see a candle several football fields away, to let that symbolic candle be an act of service."Now," she said, "all of you hold up your candle and see what light, what service, we can give together."Lamendola also called attention to the work of Lioness Vera Lovewell who, she said, should be lauded for compiling a fantastic record of the club's 35 years service.Three women, Bernice Cook, Ruth Reinstra and Rita Sweeney, who have lit the club candle of Lioness service for 20 years or more, were recognized by being presented a Lifetime Award along with a bouquet. Cook missed the 35th celebration due to medical reasons, but Rienstra and Sweeney came forward to receive their recognition.For 35 years, the club has well put into action its motto: "We serve."