ABQ Breakfast Lions Melvin Jones/Installation Dinner

              Albuquerque Breakfast Lions Club shared dinner on Wednesday, January 7^th, at Trombino’s restaurant on Academy. We sure know how to celebrate Lions !

Lion Greg Ogawa, MD, Medical Director of the NM Lions Eye Bank, receiving his Melvin Jones Award from Lion Lori Stampley, Retired Executive Director of the NM Lions Eye Bank

              Lion Lori Stampley, retired Executive Director of the New Mexico Lions Eye Bank, presented Lion Greg Ogawa MD, the Melvin Jones Award, on behalf of our Club. Dr Ogawa took the position of Medical Director in 1995. He has served as a Lion for over 30 years. Lion Greg has provided his expertise and leadership to all the Directors of the New Mexico Eye Bank. As stated by former Director, Lori: “There would be no New Mexico Lions Eye Bank without Dr. Ogawa. D40 Lions applaud his dedication! Greg’s wife, Diane, was in attendance as well.

Lion Sandy Stewart receiving her Melvin Jones Award from Lion Rita Graham

              Lion Rita has the distinct honor of presenting Lion Sandy Stewart with her Melvin Jones Award. Sandy became a Lion in 2018. She has shown her leadership as a member of the KidSight Screening Team and coordinates the Club’s volunteer service schedule with NM Roadrunner Food Bank. Lion Sandy has spent countless hours organizing Catholic Charities’ annual online silent auction and “Gala” at Sandia Casino. This event provides the funds necessary to run Catholic Charities projects and the organization for the entire year. 

Lion Sandy is in her 2^nd year as a Board Member of the New Mexico Lions Eye Bank , served 2024-2025 as a Trustee with the New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation and now serves 2025-2026 as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Foundation. She is an integral part of our Club’s Christmas Project at “The Ranches” every year. In 2025, she took over the purchase of the shoes requested by the kids in residence. She is the best of what it means to be a “Lion.”

PDG LION Frank Lasky installing new Members,  Kensi Yoakum and Josh Hillas, as ABQ Breakfast Lions....sponsors were Lion Sandra Vedda and Lion Rita Graham

              Albuquerque Breakfast Club formally welcomed 2 new Members: Josh Hill and Kensi Yoakum. Lion Josh works at NM Lions Eye Bank and Lion Kensi works with the kids at “The Ranches”. Lion Kensi shared that she always worked on projects with her Grandmother who was a Lion. She has helped our Club with the organization of the Christmas event for many years and, most importantly, the kids adore her. PDG, Frank Lasky, current PDG Association VP and current Member of the Edgewood Lions Club, was kind enough to officiate the installation. Lion Irene, Frank’s wife, shared in the fun as well.

PDG, PCC and current President of the NM Lions Eye Bank,  Wesley Brown Jr,  and his wife, Lion Theo Brown, D40 Administrator, and Lion Josh Hill we're in attendance

              Also in attendance, was the current New Mexico Lions Eye Bank President, PDG,PCC and 2025-2026 Global Service Chair, Wesley Brown Jr and his wife, Lion Theo Brown, the current D40 Administrator. Lion Jeff Millea, our NM Lions Eye Bank Director, shared the evening wife his wife, Lion Amanda and their son, Sullivan. Lion Joe Saavedra, NM Lions Eye Bank Secretary/ Treasurer for 30+ years and his wife, Ruth, came up from their home in Belen. Lion Jeff, Lion Amanda and Lion Joe are all Members of the Albuquerque Breakfast Lions Club. Special Thanks goes to Lion President, Tony Bryce , for being the MC for the evening.

Lion Irene Lasky, PDG Lion Frank Lasky, Lion Larry Langdon and Lion Carol Marshall.

Back row: Lion Joe Saavedra, NM Lions Eye Bank Secretary/ Treasurer, his wife, Ruth,  current Eye Bank Director, Lion Jeff Millea, and his wife, Lion Amanda Millea and their son, Sullivan. Front row: Travis Yoakum, Crew and Cohen Yaokum and Lion Kensi Yoakum.