Melvin Jones Fellow at 101 years old
Maria Van Den Boogard joined the Lions Club of Hornsby on 12 December 2000; joining daughter Pauline and son-in-law Ted to be involved in charitable efforts in the community and beyond. Maria crochets and sews to raise money for Lions. She has so many crafty skills that she is happy to share. Maria made shopping bags and crocheted beautiful doilies that have been admired the world round, helping to fundraise for women’s community shelters and Education Builds Bridges, an organization that sponsors the education of children in Bandung, Indonesia. She also helped Ted with the Lions Stamp project which raises funds for the Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation. These days, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria focuses on beautiful, beaded doilies, making up her own pattern as she goes with wonderful calligraphy additions. These are truly unique and are sold every Christmas with Lions Cakes in Hornsby Westfield and Hornsby Mall. On 26 of September 2022, at the 75th celebration of Lions in Australia, Maria was presented a Melvin Jones Fellowship. This was a very big moment of pride. At 101 year young, her work is admired by many. Maria has seven children, 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren. Maria is a wonderful Lion, and a wonderful woman.