Statement as issued Friday:
WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, October 2nd, the White House will welcome over 170 Lions Club International members, from across the country. Lions Club International has over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members serving their communities.
As part of the day-long program, the White House will honor Douglas Rodenbeck as one of eleven members who are “Champions of Change.” These individuals have devoted their time and effort to their communities across the country and will have the opportunity to share their stories with Administration officials and Lions club members around the globe. The Champions of Change program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.
“Volunteerism and community service make this country stronger. Lions club members across the country are leading this charge at home and around the world,” said Jon Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President. “From providing educational opportunities to children and youth to their initiatives providing vision care for seniors and underserved communities, the work of these Champions of Change and Lion’s club members knows no boundaries.”
Watch the events live at whitehouse.gov/live and learn more at WhiteHouse.gov/Champions. Live stream event will include the Champions of Change event at 1:00 EDT Tuesday, October 2nd.People around the country can join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WHLions.
Douglas Rodenbeck, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Douglas D. Rodenbeck has been active in youth development for decades, serving as the chairperson of a Leo club initiative that built family suites at the St. Joe Regional Medical Center Burn Unit. Leos, the youth program of Lions Clubs International, lead a fundraising drive under Rodenbeck’s guidance that raised $170,000 for a place of refuge for families going through a difficult time. He is a member of the Anthony Wayne Lions Club and has been a Lion for 33 years. The Fort Wayne, Ind., resident served as the chairperson of the Indiana Burn Council for three years and taught school fire prevention for more than 35 years.
