By Lion Naidoo R. Veerapen, MJF
Secretary, Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club, Inc.
917-714-7596 / lionnaidoov@gmail.com
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On the evening of Tuesday March 8, members of the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (RHSOPLC) inducted two new Lions at a ceremony hosted by the popular Hacks Halal restaurant. And now, the world’s premiere chutney singer, the Superstar from Trinidad & Tobago, Raymond Ramnarine, and his brother Richard are members of the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club!
On the evening of Tuesday March 8, members of the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (RHSOPLC) inducted two new Lions at a ceremony hosted by the popular Hacks Halal restaurant. And now, the world’s premiere chutney singer, the Superstar from Trinidad & Tobago, Raymond Ramnarine, and his brother Richard are members of the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club!
Lion Raymond is a household name among Caribbean and Guyanese music lovers wherever they can be found, and, along with brother/manager Richard, is a frequent visitor to New York City where they interact on a regular basis with RHSOP Lions. They soon discovered that they shared much of the Lions’ mission and practice of service and wished to be formally associated with Lionism. The RHSOP Lions Club was happy to embrace both high profile brothers, who will serve as role models for younger members to get involved in organizing and implementing service projects. Our communities which they touch would benefit greatly and the mission of Lionism would be fulfilled.
In brief remarks, the duo outlined some of the charitable projects that they were engaged in for their local community and hoped to be able to do much more with the support and guidance of Lions International. They both felt that being accepted into Lionism was a high honor and pledged to follow the constitution and bylaws of Lions Clubs International (LCI) and the RHSOPLC Members of the RHSOP Lions Club welcomed the new Lions warmly and saw this addition of new members as a continuation of its glorious evolution within the global Lions Clubs International (LCI) and the local NY community.
After merely nine years since its establishment, the RHSOPLC has the largest membership in comparison with all seventy -eight Clubs in Lions district 20-K1.
The Club’s phenomenal growth has been due to the good reception to Lionism in the borough of Queens, home to a sizable population of Guyanese and Caribbean immigrants who would have been familiar with the excellent work of the Lions in their home countries. Of great importance too is the active role played locally by the RHSOPLC in bringing cheer to various groups, especially during the recent Covid-19 pandemic that devastated us all.
Because of its growing popularity, the Club has encouraged one of its Charter / Founding members, Lion Romeo Hitlall, PMJF, to seek the office of 2nd Vice District Governor for the year 2022-2023, during the Annual State Convention which takes place in Niagara Falls in May this year. Lion Romeo has been in the forefront of all Lion activities and has contributed enormously to the success of the Club, and the district. He is well known in the district and is the front runner to secure the office of 2VDG at the Elections in May. His vibrant campaign is in the process of chartering several buses to transport Lion supporters and well wishers to the convention. At the same time, the candidate is busy visiting with other Clubs to get his message across to their Lions. Yes, these are exciting times for the Richmond Hill-South ozone Park Lions Club!
You can join us too, just contact one of the following members: President: Lion Motie Phanisnaraine 718-809-4087; Membership Chair: Lion Todd Greenberg 718-268-0400; Tail Twister: Lion Christine Latchana 718-581-6320; Secretary: Lion Naidoo Veerapen 917-714-7596; IPP Lion Romeo Hitlall: 917-749-7700
