Lion Jim Klemm named the

Melvin Jones award winner on

August 19, 2009.

Lion Dan Strother named the

Jack Wiech Fellowship winner

on August 19, 2009.

Lion Dan Strother was chosen for this prestigious award to honor his service for many years in heading all activities for the McKinney Noon Lions for selecting and transporting campers to Kerrville.  When accepting this award, Dan commented, " Involvement in Texas Lions Camp will change your life.  While I am honored to receive this plaque and pin, I am grateful that the donation made by the McKinney Noon Lions will go directly to benefiting campers. "

The purpose of the Jack Wiech Fellowship is to pay tribute to the founder of the Camp while providing material support for the ongoing operations of Texas Lions Camp. Jack Wiech served as President of the Board for the Camp's first five years, and was a permanent member of the Board of Directors.  The primary purpose of the Camp is to provide, without charge, a camp for physically disabled, hearing/vision impaired, and diabetic children from the State of Texas, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

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Lion Harvey McCarter awarded Lion of the Year for 2009

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 EVER WONDER WHERE

THE

MCKINNEY HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT CAME FROM

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Interesting enough, the local Chapter of the McKinney Lions Club is the mascot's namesake.  Jack Crampton, a 36 year member of the Lions club, finds pleasure in telling the story of how this came about.

"Dickie Holland, a friend of mine, played football for McKinney High School in the mid 1960's", Crampton said.  "When he was recuperating from surgery he began to look through the microfiche copies of the McKinney Courier-Gazette at the McKinney Public Library".

Hollan stumbled upon a series of articles written by sports editor H. D. Mouzon in the late 1940's, one of which was "A Review of the Football History of McKinney".  At the bottom of the article he found the following words; "It was in 1924 that MHS gridders became known as Lions, so named in honor of the McKinney service club.  The organization purchased uniforms and other equipment for the team that same year".

"No one knew this". Crampton said.  "I went to several long-time Lions Club members, and no one knew anything about this".  Robbie Clark, a native of McKinney and past president of the MISD Board of Trustees said, "It is interesting that the McKinney High School mascot was named after the McKinney Lions Club, but certainly not shocking.  In my memory of growing up in the 1960's, members of the McKinney's service clubs played a huge role in the development of our schools and our youth.  I recall a program that I and several of my high school friends attended for the Fellowship of Christian Atheletes Camp in Estes Park, Colorado.  We had all received scholarships to attend the camp thanks to the generous support provided by the service clubs of McKinney".

"I always felt that if you want a job done right, you get a busy person to do it", he said.  "Many of our current community leaders are members of service clubs today.  'Service" is the key word.  Not only are clubs great social gatherings, but each is dedicated to enriching the community that they serve" said Clark.  He went on to say that it was no surprise that the McKinney Lions were named after the McKinney Lions Club.

The conection between the McKinney High School Lions and McKinney Lions Club truly exemplifies the importance of building community. (excerpts from story of the McKinney Living Magazine of Aug/Sep 2004).