Havre Lions present Allen with Melvin Jones Fellowship Award

Press release

For Lionistic year 2018-19, The Havre Lions Club recently presented Lion Tom Allen a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.

Melvin Jones founded Lions Club International in 2017, with the organization celebrating its centennial in 2017-18.

"What if these men," Jones asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition were to put their talents to work improving their communities?"

Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and June 17, 2017, Lions Club International was born.

As recognition of outstanding work, a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award such as was awarded to Allen may be presented to individuals who have contributed time, energy and service that furthers the Lions" motto, "We serve." This award is the highest order of recognition that a club member can earn.

Allen has been a Lion for 29 years. He joined the Havre Lions Club in December 1989 and has served in four Lions Clubs, Havre, Bozeman, Chester and Fort Benton.

He served the Lions in formal offices including director, Lion twister, Lion tamer, president and zone chairman. As a Lion, he has served on numerous club committees as chairman, co-chairman or as a participating member. Those committees include Attitude Adjustment, Pig Roasts at Ladies Nights, Pins, Pronto Pups, Membership, Agriculture, Father-Sons-Daugher Nights, Budget, Youth Vision Screening and numerous Lions conventions, 37-C, Multiple 37 and the new District 37 that serves most Lions clubs in Montana.

Since 1989, he worked as an ag research technician, finished his master's degree in agronomy, has been a county Extension Agent in Liberty and Chouteau counties and now is farm manager at Northern Agricultural Research Center at Fort Assinniboine south of Havre.

Allen and his wife, Maranna, live in Big Sandy.