Melvin Statezney became a member of The Crandon Lions
Club on Feruary 21, 1972. His enthusiasm was soon
recognized and almost immediately he was elected to
the Lion Tamer position, and was re-elected for the
year following.  In an unprecedented procedure for
moving up the Club Officer level, Mel was elected
Club President for the 1974-75 Lionistic year.
One normally serves 3 years as Vice-president
before becoming President.

Some of the committees Lion Mel was involved in were:
Beach shelter, Road signs, Casino Sunday, Light Bulb
sales and Brush Run breakfast.  More recent committee
participation involved: Nominating, Attendance, Crab
Boil (changed to Summerfest), Kid’s Christmas,
Fish-O-Ree, Brush Run worker, Paper drive, Highway
clean-up and Easter Egg Hunt.  One cannot overlook the Lions Information
Booth, which exists today under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce.

Lion Mel was instrumental in organizing the Club’s Hall of Fame program, which is a memorial to deceased member Eugene Lamond.  This recognition was awarded to Lion Mel in 1984.  He also received the Lion of the Year award in 1977.  Over the years Mel has sponsored seven new members.

Lion Mel was elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the club in 1977 and continued on as Secretary when the office was divided in 1988.  Special recognition as Secretary was awarded to Mel as follows: 100% Secretary award from District 27-B2, 1993-2001, Appreciation plague from the Crandon Club, 100% Secretary award from Lions International, 1980-2001, and District Governor Honor Roll.   Lion Mel has maintained perfect attendance since 1972.

In 2001, Lion Mel received the Melvin Jones Fellow award for dedicated humanitarian service.  This award is the highest award possible in Lionism.

Lion Mel served as Secretary for 23 years.  Lion Mel has been an integral force within the club and continues to contribute to serving the welfare of the community, in addition to Lions International programs such as Sight, Diabetes, Cancer and others.