Wolfe receives Lions Club Honor

In recognition of his 42 years of service to the Clark County community, Port of Vancouver Commissioner Brian Wolfe was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship by the Vancouver Dawn Lions Club on Friday, May 24. The prestigious award, named for the founder of the Lions clubs, recognizes outstanding individuals for their public service and humanitarian efforts.

Commissioner Wolfe’s contributions on behalf of the community include being a charter member of the Vancouver Dawn Lions Club and a founding member of the Columbia River Economic Development Council. He also has held leadership positions in a variety of civic organizations, including the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Clark County, the Columbia River Education and Workforce Council, the Clark County Skills Center and the Vancouver Jaycees.

“I was surprised, pleased – and humbled by the award,” said Commissioner Wolfe. “The fundamental premise of the Lions clubs, which is to do something for someone else, is an approach I hope we can all take.  It would make our world a much better place.”

Efforts to acknowledge and celebrate public service, such as the Vancouver club’s honoring of Commissioner Wolfe, also help the organization raise money. A $1,000 donation was made to the Lions Clubs International Foundation as part of the award process. The Melvin Jones Fellowship generates 75 percent of the foundations’ revenue, which is then used to fund the clubs’ local and global humanitarian programs.

Started in 1917, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service organization, with 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members worldwide. The clubs’ mission is “to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.” Much of their efforts are focused on combating vision problems, responding to major catastrophes and providing valuable life skills to youth.

According to Commissioner Wolfe, the clubs’ purpose can be more simply summed up in its motto, “We serve.”