A 92-year-old Penticton man, who spent six decades serving the communities he's lived in with the Lions Club, has been recognized for that service. Harvie Barker recently received a bronze lion statue to mark his 57 years of service.
(BAILEY ZIMMER / iNFOnews.ca)
October 27, 2024 - 6:00 AM
A 92-year-old Penticton man, who spent six decades serving the communities he's lived in with the Lions Club, has been recognized for that service.
Harvie Barker recently received a bronze lion statue to mark his 57 years of service.
Every five years members of the international volunteer organization usually get a pin to commemorate their time in the organization, but the club members thought Barker needed something extra special for his years spent giving back. Barker received the roaring lion statue to represent his ferocious and vibrant history in the group.
“We're honoured to have such a long standing lion in our club for sure, and someone who has contributed for so many years as a lion serving people in need,” Lions Club chair Bob Elliott said.
Barker is is currently the Penticton club's longest serving member.
He originally got involved with the service club when he was in his 20s after his next door neighbour convinced him to come to a meeting to see what the club was all about. After the first meeting, he was hooked.
“I realized that it was an important job in the community. I was able to help people,” Barker said.
He still attends the meetings and always helps out when he can. He's has been a part of seven clubs throughout the country including in Ontario, Quebec and BC. He's been the president in five of the seven clubs he's been a member of.
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Barker has helped build playgrounds, filled backpacks for kids going back to school and put Angel Funds in motion for children and parents in need during the holidays. He has worked at food trucks for community events, rung bells for the Salvation Army and has stuffed backpacks for homeless members of the community.
He said he can't pick just one favourite memory from his over six decades of service add all his memories with the club are collectively his favourite but what he enjoyed the most was giving back to his community, meeting new people and making friends along the way.
He said he's proud to be a part of a group that helps people in need.
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