Lion John Monahan receives International Presidential Award

Scott Brannan, president of the Lord Baltimore Lions Club, announced longtime member John Monahan has received the International Presidential Award, the second-highest award bestowed by Lions Club International.

A singular award based on the recommendation of District Gov. Joan Bestpitch, the honor also received approval from Lions Club International. The award for 2025 was presented to Monahan by Third Vice President Dr. Manoj Shah from Nairobi, Kenya, at the Multiple District 22 Convention held May 1-4, in McHenry, Md.

Monahan has been a member of the Lord Baltimore Lions Club since 2014, when he relocated to the Ocean View area from New York, but he has been a Lion since 1982. As a member of the Lord Baltimore Lions Club, he has served as president, first vice president, secretary and membership chair, and is currently serving as communications chair, preparing articles for publication in local news and social media. He has also chaired or involved himself in several important committee activities, including bimonthly participation with the Food Bank of Delaware in Milford, sight assistance committee, scholarship committee, budget committee and more.

Monahan’s numerous awards and accomplishment as a Lions Club member include serving as zone chair for Region 3 Zone 1, District 22 diabetes coordinator, 2016 Lord Baltimore Lions Club Lion of the Year, 2021 District 22D Lion of the Year and receiving the Delaware Diabetes Coalition Tina M. Trout, ACSN-BC, CDE Leadership Award in 2024.

Specific to Monahan’s recent award has been his active role in diabetes awareness and action, having served as district chair since 2021. As district chair, he represents Lions Clubs in his role as community board member of the Delaware Diabetes Coalition. He attends quarterly meetings and participates in training initiatives sponsored by the organization. He also serves as a member of the coalition’s education/scholarship committee.

Recently, Monahan spearheaded a drive to acquire a diabetes alert dog for a woman whose last dog died suddenly. Trained diabetes alert dogs cost around $18,000, and obtaining a replacement dog presented a serious challenge. With Monahan’s help and coordination, appeals for funds went out throughout the district, and the Lions were able to raise the necessary funds to purchase the new dog.

Monahan has been a Lion in service for over 40 years. He is married to Lion Pat Monahan, and they have two married sons and four grandchildren.