On a recent ceremonial occasion in Grenada, two of the island’s most active community service organizations — the St Andrew’s Lions Club and its youth affiliate, the St Andrew’s Leo Club — formally kicked off their 2026–2027 Lionistic Year during a joint installation ceremony centered on the core values of volunteer leadership, collective service, and shared dedication to lifting up local communities across the country.
Hosted and led by Lion Marsha Scantlebury, Zone Chair for Zone 3C, the event marked two key milestones for the organizations: the formal installation of new boards of directors for both clubs, and the induction of a brand-new member into the St Andrew’s Lions Club. This new addition reinforces the club’s long-term focus on expanding its volunteer base and deepening its capacity to deliver impactful local support. During her opening remarks, Scantlebury reminded all assembled members that meaningful service grows from genuine intention, urging volunteers to always approach their community work with heartfelt commitment.
Lion David Hopkin MJF, Past Zone Chair and District 60B Global Extension Team Chairperson, also delivered a featured address to attendees. He reflected on the decades of tangible change Lions clubs have delivered to communities across the globe and locally in Grenada, encouraging members to hold fast to the movement’s century-old mission of service to all humanity.
For the St Andrew’s Lions Club, Gennesta Charles was sworn in to serve as president for the 2026–2027 term, succeeding Immediate Past President Kinda DeBellotte. DeBellotte’s 2025–2026 leadership was widely praised at the ceremony, marked by consistent, dedicated community outreach, the cultivation of durable local partnerships, and unwavering alignment with the global Lions motto, “We Serve.”
In her first address as incoming president, Charles extended gratitude to the organization’s past leaders, outgoing board members, rank-and-file volunteers, their families, and the community supporters who make the club’s work possible. She laid out her core priorities for the coming year, committing to build on the club’s decades-long legacy of service by rolling out targeted, high-impact community projects, enhancing the volunteer experience for current members, and expanding collaborative partnerships that address evolving local needs across Grenada.
Charles will be supported by a full 2026–2027 Board of Directors: Angus Phillip will serve as Vice President, Tanza Ogilvie Stephens as Secretary, Cody Lewis as Treasurer, Kinda DeBellotte as Service Chairperson and LCIF (Lions Clubs International Foundation) Coordinator, Martha Joseph as Membership Chairperson, Fidelia Fisher as Marketing and Communications Chairperson, Lindonna Charles as Tamer, and Reena Matthew as Tail Twister.
The ceremony also completed the installation of the St Andrew’s Leo Club’s new board, with Coleen Blache taking office as the youth club’s president for the 2026–2027 term. Blache thanked the membership for entrusting her with the leadership role, and challenged her fellow Leos to embrace intentional leadership, lead with empathy, and drive tangible positive change across Grenada through purpose-driven community service.
Blache’s leadership team includes Keyanna McCleod as Vice President, Rheanna Belfon as Secretary, Kavita Douglas as Treasurer, Nazim Chasteau as Service Chairperson and Tamer, Dericka Samuel as Marketing and Communications Chairperson, and Jamie Noel as Membership Chairperson. The organization also honored Immediate Past Vice President Rheanna Belfon for her exceptional leadership and committed service during the 2025–2026 term as she stepped into her new role as club secretary.
The joint installation ceremony highlighted the deep, mutually beneficial partnership between the adult Lions Club and the youth-focused Leo Club, emphasizing the critical roles of mentorship, youth leadership development, and collaborative service delivery. As both clubs enter the new Lionistic Year, they have reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving quality of life across Grenada through initiatives spanning public health outreach, youth empowerment, environmental stewardship, humanitarian aid, and community outreach.
Looking ahead to the coming 12 months, the St Andrew’s Lions Club and St Andrew’s Leo Club are aligned in their mission to serve with compassion, lead with unwavering integrity, and leave a meaningful, lasting positive impact on the lives of all Grenadians they support.