Lions Club presents Wheeler Scholarships

By Chris Sheldon

The Point Pleasant Lions Club recently made paying for college a little easier for several local high school graduates and their families, thanks to the organization’s 2009 A. Lee Wheeler Scholarship Awards.

The awards are based on students’ community service, school activities, and academic records.

The winners and their families were honored at the July 13 meeting of the Lions Club at the Wharfside Restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach.

Jaqueline Ball is one of three recipients and is a 2009 graduate of Point Pleasant Borough High School and member of the Leo Club. She will be attending Colgate University and is majoring in biology.

Lauren Ellis is the second recipient and is a 2009 graduate of Point Pleasant Beach High School. She is headed to Towson University in the fall.

The final recipient, Bridget Ward, is a 2009 graduate of Point Pleasant Borough High School and plans on attending Roger Williams University.

Since 1991 the A. Lee Wheeler Scholarship, named in honor of a 40-year member who was active in the community and past deputy district governor of Lions Club International, has awarded over $75,000 in scholarships.

The scholarship’s annual fundraiser is the Martell’s All Star Softball Game and Lobster Bake, which will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $65 and the event will feature an open bar and all you can eat shrimp, lobster and prime rib.

The chairman of the scholarship committee, Emery Wheeler, is the brother of the late A. Lee Wheeler and has been a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years.

The Lions Club is holding several other events in the coming weeks.

On Saturday Sept. 19, the club will host a Seafood 5K Race at 8:30 a.m. The race starts and ends at the Point Pleasant Beach Band Shell at the southeast corner of Arnold and Baltimore avenues. Registration is $15 and is available the day of the race for $20. There will also be a one mile fun run at 8 a.m. in the same location.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, the club will the Tube Race Parade at 2:30 p.m. on Jenkinson’s Beach at the head of Water Street. There is a $25 entry fee and all tubers are requested to register at Jenkinson’s on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach.

Also on Sept. 20 is the Lions Club Boardwalk Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach.