by Deb Alter
Jim Monahan is not a member of the Hoosick Lions Club, but he has been so supportive of so many of their programs for so long, that the Lions Club honored him with a special plaqaue at their May 7 meeting. They also honored non-members Dianne Rooney and Diane Harrington for their dedicated service over the years.
Monahan was invited to speak at the meeting to talk about health care programs and prescription drugs plans, and while it was an important topic that members were interested in hearing about, asking him to speak on that particular evening was a really a ruse to get Monahan to the meeting so that the Lions Club could surprise him with the special honor and a plaque. “I had no clue they were going to do this,” he said. “It’s nice to be appreciated,” he added humbly.
According to Don Pierce, outgoing president of the Hoosick chapter, “the Lions Club is first, foremost, and last a service organization, and it would be hard, if not impossible, to do what they do without the help and support of Jim, Dianne, and Diane.”
The Hoosick Chapter of the Lions Club was chartered in 1970. In the late 1970s, Monahan took ownership of Thorpe’s Pharmacy and has been an exceptionally strong ally ever since. He lends his ardent support to all of the Lions activities, fundraisers and service projects including, but not limited to, the annual Penny Hunt, collecting eyeglasses, sponsoring baseball teams, and The Wood Memorial 5K Road Race. His vigorous sponsorship of so many programs enables the Lions Club to do the good works that they do for the community.
Mr. Monahan said, “I am happy to support organizations that do good things for the community and the Lions Club is a vital organization in Hoosick. They do so much that most people don’t even realize what and how much they do. The Hoosick Lions is an especially active chapter, and I am happy to support them in any way I can. They are always appreciative.”
Dianne Rooney was honored for all the help she has given to the food delivery program to the elderly and homebound. The Lions Club works with the HACA Food Pantry to make sure that people who can’t get out to get the food and supplies that they need. Diane Harrington was honored because of the astounding number of chocolate bunnies she has sold for the Lions Club fundraiser every year. These two dedicated women received certificates of thanks from the Club.