The Hope Lions Club honored one of its most dedicated members Monday evening at Hempstead Hall as longtime Treasurer Debbie Marsh was named the club’s 2026 Lion of the Year during its annual awards banquet.

For years, Marsh has been one of the steady hands behind the club’s work, overseeing its finances while lending her ebullient spirit to the organization’s many service projects. The Lion of the Year award is the club’s highest annual honor, recognizing the member whose service and leadership have made the greatest impact over the past year.

Outgoing President James Bradford asked Marsh to come forward before announcing she had been selected as the Hope Lions Club’s Lion of the Year, prompting applause among the members. Marsh later was returned to her longtime position as club treasurer during the installation of officers.

Bradford, Susan Fackler and Celia Montgomery each received the Edwin Dalstrom Award. Named for a longtime Lions leader, the award recognizes distinguished service and support for Mid-South Lions Sight & Hearing Service, making it one of the region’s most respected Lions honors.

Winners of the Melvin Jones Award were Josie Carlton, John Hicks, T. J. Fackler, and Janet Choate. The award was named for the founder of Lions International.

Winners of the Roy Kumpe Award were Karen Smith, Claudia Griffin and this reporter. The award is named after a nonsighted Arkansan who was a tireless advocate for an education program that grew into World Services for the Blind.

The club also recognized members for perfect attendance. Judy Clayton and Susan Fackler were honored for three years, John Hicks, Debbie Marsh and Milko Smith for four years, Karen Smith for five years, Don Freel for six years, Dr. Charles Looney for seven years, Janet Stokes for 13 years and Claudia Griffin for 19 consecutive years. Bradford noted that attendance included not only regular meetings but fish fries, auctions and board meetings as well.

The evening also marked the passing of the gavel from Bradford to incoming President Josie Carlton.

Bradford introduced the incoming officers, with Steve Montgomery serving as first vice president, Russell Cornelius as second vice president and Wade Kimmel as third vice president. Karen Smith will continue as secretary, Marsh as treasurer and Bradford will remain on the board as immediate past president. The club also installed its committee chairmen and directors for the coming year.

During the installation ceremony, Claudia Griffin shared a personal story as she presented Carlton for the office of president.

“Some of you may know my story, and may not,” Griffin said.

Recalling a medical emergency several years ago, Griffin remembered Carlton standing beside her and saying, “You will not die. I will not let you die.”

Griffin said that same willpower convinced her Carlton would lead the club well.

“I think that it’s that determination that Josie has shown with me, that she will shine as president, and that she will help our club help all of us make our club better and better,” Griffin said before asking Carlton to accept the office.

After taking the gavel, Carlton said she was eager to begin the new Lions year while recognizing the responsibility that comes with leading the club.

“I’ll say I’m excited, but also a little nervous to be taking over this role,” she said. She noted that her progression through the vice presidential offices had happened more quickly than expected before joking with members, “We’re looking for the next victims to bump up. You may be standing here next year.”

Carlton’s first presentation as president was an appreciation plaque to Bradford recognizing his “outstanding dedication, service, and exceptional leadership” during the past year.

She thanked him “for all he’s done for the past year in helping us stay afloat.”

Turning immediately to club business, Carlton announced the first board meeting of the new Lions year as members began planning for another busy schedule of service projects.

The Hope Lions Club, the largest volunteer organization in Hope, is known throughout the community for its fish fries, held several times each year to raise funds for the club’s charitable work. Those fundraisers help support vision-related programs, assistance for local residents, scholarships and other community projects while also supporting Lions initiatives at the state, regional and international levels.

The club’s members can also be seen in their trademark vests holding their Christmas auction and then distributing grocery boxes bought with the proceeds to lower income households, continuing a tradition of service that has made the organization a fixture in Hope for generations. Monday’s banquet celebrated that tradition while recognizing the members who will lead it into another year.