Fairfax Lions Club President Gary began his year as President on July 1. One of his first acts was to polish-up the Club Bell – made of solid brass, so it shines brightly even if nicked and dented a bit over the past 75 years.

The Fairfax Lions bell is inscribed: “Presented on April 20, 1951 to the Lions Club of Fairfax by the Lions club of Vienna.” Fairfax Lions Club was established in (“chartered”) on April 20, 1951. It is traditional for the Lions Club sponsoring a new club to present the new club with a Lions brass bell (typically “rung” to open and close meetings). That is the story behind the Fairfax Lions bell.

Anyone interested in participating in community service with the Fairfax Lions, please visit us at a dinner meeting – and see the bell!

At our dinner meeting on July 15th, Fairfax Lions were honored to have special guest VA Delegate David Bulova. David  represents the 11th District, which includes the City of Fairfax and parts of Fairfax County, in the Virginia House of Delegates.

First elected to the House of Delegates in 2005, David chairs the General Laws Committee and serves on the Appropriations and Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources committees.  He has also been appointed by the Speaker to serve on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, State Water Commission, Housing Commission, Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Commission, and Early Childhood Care and Education Commission. When not tending to his legislature duties, David works as a senior environmental planner specializing in stormwater and Chesapeake Bay restoration.

Delegate Bulova gave a fun (with some VA state history trivia questions) and excellent talk to Lions. He discussing important legislation that has passed – or not passed – in the House of Delegates, and fielded expertly many questions, such as: “What are the prospects of the State approving a casino to be built in Tysons Corner?”

Fairfax Lions raise money for charity each year, with our hot dog sales at the City of Fairfax Independence Day Parade.

FX Lions enjoyed a picnic-style dinner of hamburgers & hot dogs, as we get ready for Independence Day. We were honored to have GMU student Ainsley join us as our guest at dinner.

We had a trivia contest – with some pretty hard questions about the American Revolutionary war and the Declaration of Independence. Prizes (July 4th themed socks) were awarded to two teams who tied with most correct answers.

At the Club dinner meeting on June 17th, Lion Joe Rovansek was named Lion of the Year. Since joining Fairfax Lions in April 2024, Joe has made substantial contributions to the Club: Co-Chaired fruit sales, re-built a gas grill (precluding purchasing a new grill); reorganized storage shed – with new shelving he donated; constructed hand-rail for wooden steps used at fruit sales; volunteered as assistant treasurer; and much more.  Congratulations Lion Joe, you set the example for Service in a volunteer organization!  

The new team of Officers and Directors were installed at the June 17 Club meeting. Under the leadership on new Club President Gary Maxwell, all Fairfax Lions look forward to a great year of Service to our community and elsewhere!