Loudonville Chamber holds awards banquet
Loudonville Lions Club members receive the Key to the Village at the Loudonville Mohican Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet on Sept. 27 at the American Legion Post 257.
The Loudonville Mohican Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet on Sept. 27 at the American Legion Post 257.
The Community Service Award and the Key to the Village were handed out during the banquet.
Ron Lutz, who passed away earlier in September, was the recipient of the Community Service Award.
Lutz, a Navy veteran who served in 1959 in the deck division of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean during the Cuban missile crisis, joined the Loudonville community in 1966 and worked for Mansfield Plumbing Products for 39 years. During that time, he was chairman of the Mansfield Plumbing Products Credit Union Committee for five years until being elected to the board of directors as secretary for two years.
Lutz was involved in many organizations and charitable services in the Loudonville area including volunteering to be Cubmaster of the Loudonville Cub Scout Pack 571, combining the job with being Webelos leader from 1977-80.
In 1980 Lutz joined the Loudonville Lions Club and served in many positions in the district including youth chairman in charge of Youth Exchange and Leo Club from 1990-93. He also served twice as zone chairman and president of the Loudonville Lions Club.
In 1982 Lutz became secretary of the Loudonville Lions Club for five years, then again from 1997-2023, and he also was the primary cashier for all Loudonville Lions Club events.
In 1986 Lutz was named Lion of the Year and was awarded the International President’s Award Certificate of Appreciation. He also received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award in 1995.
In 1996-97 he was elected District 13-B district governor, which consisted of 64 clubs. Subsequently, he received the 100% Governor’s Award, a second Melvin Jones Fellowship Award and a Council of Governor’s Excellence Award.
In 1997 Lutz was appointed district international relations chairman for two years. In 1999 he was named district youth chairman, and in 2001 he was selected state youth chairman for two years. In 2002 he was appointed district membership chairman, then Region 2 membership chairman and district retention chairman. In 2007 Lutz received the Ohio Lions Foundation Founder’s Award.
Lutz also was a youth baseball coach for six years and a member of the Loudonville Park Board for 10 years. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1966. He was the Sunday school superintendent for nine years and assistant superintendent for two years, all while teaching a high school class for several years.
Lutz was a member of the bicentennial committee and currently was a member of CERT, the medical emergency group that trained in being able to assist if a county-wide emergency ever happened. Lutz heavily supported the Loudonville Boosters and volunteered to take tickets at the Loudonville football games for many years.
Lutz is the 66th recipient of the award, which is given to a person who has gone above and beyond to help make the Loudonville community better. Individuals are nominated by community members, and then a committee picks who will receive the award.
The Key to the Village was awarded to the Loudonville Lions Club, which was founded in 1950.
Loudonville Lions Club is active in its community and has a history of community fundraising efforts throughout the year to support causes and provide scholarships for local graduates, support sports and academic programs, and support Boy Scouts and many other community projects.
With monthly fish fries, summer chicken barbecues, its food tent during the Loudonville Street Fair, funnel cake sales at Malabar Heritage Days, hanging flower basket sales with Richardson’s Greenhouse and an annual golf scramble, the club has a strong presence in the community.
Loudonville Lions Club also sponsors the community Easter egg hunt in Central Park, a children’s Christmas carnival, and a feed-the-teams dinner for fall, winter and spring sports. In addition, the club helps pay for eye exams and glasses for families and collects eyeglasses, which are distributed globally.
The club’s mission is to empower Lions Clubs, volunteers and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants that impact lives globally and encourage peace and international understanding.
Loudonville Lions Club currently has 38 members and meets once a month for fellowship and planning, with guest speakers helping its members build their knowledge. The club’s motto is “We Serve.”
The club is always seeking new members. Annual dues are $65. The club’s meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Anyone with questions can message the club on Facebook or call the club.
Loudonville Lions Club is the 16th recipient of the Key to the Village, which is awarded to a business that is a chamber member, has been in operation for more than 50 years and helps the Loudonville community thrive.