Jerry Flenar, of Buchanan, has served many local volunteer organizations, including the Buchanan Chamber of Commerce, Buchanan school board, Buchanan Promise board and Friends of the McCoy’s Creek Trail, to name just a few.

He is currently the president of the Buchanan Lions Club, where he helps to conduct the meetings and oversee the service organization.

The Lions Club supports a number of youth athletic teams and helps to provide vision care to children in need. The club has also supplied handicapped equipment to those in need. 

Due to his volunteer work, he was recently selected as a final nominee for the United Way of Southwest Michigan’s volunteer achievement awards. The volunteer recognition event will take place between 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27 at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. If awarded, Flenar could receive $3,500 to donate to the charity of their choice.

What do you do as a volunteer with the Lions Club?

As president, I run and organize all of our meetings. I oversee all of our projects and our two big projects this year are concession stand at the RedBud Motocross Track.  We also do a holiday nut sale. Those are our two biggest fundraisers through out the year.

How did you get involved in the Lions Club?

I was asked to go to a meeting 37 years ago and I liked the fact that you are giving back to the community and the fact that we are helping children that need sight. Buchanan has been very good to myself and my family and we give back as much as we can.

What about that first meeting encouraged you to stay?

Just their vision and their purpose.

Why would you encourage
others to volunteer?

It makes you feel good. You get back out of it double what you put into it.

What do you feel like you
get out of volunteering?

Again, I feel like I get out what I give back.