An honor to roar about
<p>Bert Thoreson, a 16-year member of the Post Falls Lions Club, recently received the Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest honor of the club. The humanitarian award has only been presented 12 times in the 50-year history of the Post Falls club.</p>
POST FALLS - Bert Thoreson may be low key, but his volunteer efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Thoreson was recently presented the Melvin Jones Fellow award by the Post Falls Lions Club. It's the highest honor the international club gives and has been given just 12 times in the Post Falls club's 50-year history.
"It's a special award for me," said Thoreson, a 16-year member of the club.
The award is named after the Lions Club International founder.
Thoreson's name will be included on the roster of recipients at Lions International headquarters in Illinois.
Thoreson, husband of Post Falls City Council member and Press columnist Kerri Thoreson, has served as president, secretary, on the board and is currently the membership chair.
A decade ago he was one of the core group of Lions who constructed the 7,200-square-foot Lions Pavilion at Q'emiln Park. He has volunteered every year at the Lions Haunted House and White Cane Day fundraisers and has built several wheelchair ramps for local seniors.
Thoreson, who is the lead mechanic at the Lakeland School District, is a past Lion of the Year, Post Falls Volunteer of the Year and American Legion Community Service recipient.
Thoreson said his family and wife's enthusiasm for volunteering in their communities rubbed off on him.
"There's no sense in sitting around," he said.
Thoreson said he likes serving with the Lions Club - known for providing eyeglasses to those in need - because it stays busy and the camaraderie.
"We do whatever needs to be done, and it's not a money club," he said. "It's a good group of guys."
Paul Wagner, immediate past president, was presented the club's Lion of the Year award.