Ida Heroes Honored With Coughlin Community Service Awards

LARCHMONT, NY — The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club presented the Coughlin Community Service Awards to hometown heroes whose year-round work locally was thrust into the spotlight when disaster struck.

The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club held their annual "Points of Light" celebration of community service virtually this year due to pandemic-related concerns. The gala recognized the many organizations and everyday heroes who dedicate their time, talent and resources, to be there for their neighbors — work that was especially crucial during this difficult year.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the Lions Jack Coughlin Community Service Awards to Rev. Tami Burks as the individual and the Community Resource Center for group of the year.

The award is named in memory of LM Lions past president John M. "Jack" Coughlin who was a more than 60-year member of the Larchmont Lions Club. Michael Coughlin, Jack’s son, introduced the award.

County Legislator Catherine Parker served as the keynote speaker. She talked about how important volunteerism and individuals working together with larger groups were during a year in which a public health crisis and natural disaster put so many in the community in jeopardy.

The event recognized more than 40 community service organizations, many of which touched our lives in deeply personal ways over the last 12 months.

Video presentations were given by many of those service organizations, including: Alzheimer's Association, At Home on the Sound Cancer Support Team, Friends of Karen, Fuller Center, Furniture Sharehouse, Girl Scouts of Larchmont Mamaroneck, Junior League of Westchester on the Sound, Larchmont Chamber of Commerce, Larchmont Mamaroneck Pollinator Pathways, LMC Media, Love Your Food, Mamaroneck Historical Society, Mott Haven Fridge, Neighbors for Refugees, Sheldrake Environmental Center, Seniors Out Speaking, South East Consortium, STEM Alliance, Visions, and Women's Club of Larchmont.

The event also served as a fundraiser for the LM Lions Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit that provides financial support to community groups. 100 percent of donations go directly to service, while all administrative and other expenses are funded separately. The Lions use the Lions Foundation as seed money to seek additional funds and to engage others. The result is that over the past 2 years, for every $ from the Foundation, more than $2 has gone to service, according to the organization.

The evening virtual event was produced by Lion & LMC Media Assistant Director Dena Schumacher and hosted by Sandbox Theater leader and Lion, Jason Summers.

More information about the LM Lions can be found here.