Contributions made by the city's oldest civic organization were celebrated Monday night as the Greenville Lions came together for their annual banquet at the Chef's Table downtown.

Incoming District Governor Gus Gary was on hand to install the new officers for the coming club year and to induct two new members.

Lions Club officers for 2007-2008 are: Lion Tamer, Bo Thagard; Tail Twister, Herbert Morton; 2nd Year Directors, Randy Chandler and Wes Hines; 1st Year Directors, Gene Hardin and Hubert Little; Treasurer, Leitha Watford; Secretary, Ricky Cargile; 3rd Vice-President, Jeff Adams; 2nd V-P, Brenda Whitney; 1st V-P, Mike Looney and President, Katie Holcomb.

Ricky Crysell and Gary Chandler were welcomed into the club as its newest members.

Gary presented the club's &#8220highest honor,” the Melvin Jones Award, to two longtime Greenville Lions, Herbert Morton and Gene Hardin. Hardin served as past district governor of Lions on two occasions. Both men were instrumental in bringing the Butler County WW II Memorial to the city and in organizing subsequent patriotic events for the community.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented by outgoing Lion President Doyle Sasser to Lions Brenda Whitney, Harriet Foshee and to Gary.

 Whitney was honored for her work with the local organization's major fundraiser, Radio Day; Foshee was recognized for helping organize the Lions Sight-Saving Bus visits to area schools.

Gary reminded those present it was famed Alabamian Helen Keller who first charged the Lions in 1925 to become &#8220knights for the blind.”

&#8220That has provided us with our core mission to provide sight-saving help and aid to the blind and visually impaired,” he said.

New club president Katie Holcomb, who served as the club's first female president a decade ago, honored two Lions for their service to the club: Doyle Sasser, outgoing president and O'Neil Carr, outgoing treasurer of four years.

&#8220I am looking forward to another good, prosperous year for the Greenville Lions,” Holcomb said.

The Greenville Lions also lauded Chef's Table owner Jan Newton and her staff for the excellent meal and atmosphere provided for the banquet.