
WHO ARE THE VENICE LIONS
We Serve!

Our Venice club is part of the largest international service organization in the world. We support international efforts to save the sight of millions, provide measles vaccinations and disaster relief.
At the local community level, Lions provide free vision and hearing services to those in need, screen the vision of preschool children and collect used eyeglasses. They also sponsor and participate in many events such as the Sharks Tooth Festival, Halloween and Holiday parades, Youth Recycle Program, Peace Poster Contest and Easter egg hunts.
Every dollar donated goes back to the community in the form of grants, scholarships, and educational and fun activities for children.
Our members like serving in a club with a purpose. It makes us feel good to give back to our community. We are looking for people to bring inspirations, ideas and talents to our club. We hope you will join us at one of our meetings to see what a difference you could make as a Venice Lion!
Please call us at (941) 837-2789, email us at venicelionsclub@gmail.com or through the Contact link above for more information about our Club and to attend a meeting.
WHAT WE DO
Where there is a Need, there is a Lion.

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Newest service we offer:
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Does low vision or physical disability prevent you from bicycling? You can ride again with The Venice Lions’ Club Random Tandem program. Thanks to a generous donor, the club placed a bicycle-built-for-two at Real Bikes Venice for free use by individuals with low vision or a disability and their “driver." Reserve the free-use bicycle by calling (941) 485-3113. Real Bikes Venice is located in Bird Bay Plaza, 581 U.S. 41 Bypass N, Venice, with easy access to the famous Legacy Trail.
Vision services we offer:
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Vision and Hearing screenings, eye examinations, glasses, hearing aids, and eye surgery for eligible residents of the Venice and Englewood areas.
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Children's Vision Screening, targets preschool children to identify at least six treatable eye conditions.
Engaging our youth:
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Sponsor a Venice Little League team and volunteer at the concession stand.
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Sponsor three schools for the annual International Lions Peace Poster contest.
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Sponsor the Venice Halloween Parade downtown Venice.
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Assist Venice Main Street's Easter Egg Hunt, the Eggstravaganza and offer a Beeping Egg Hunt for the Visually Impaired.
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Promote eyeglass recycling through the Youth Recycle Program at local schools.
Supporting our community:
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Collect eyeglasses for recycling.
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Pick up litter during the monthly Venetian Waterway clean up
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Assist in collecting debris during the bi-annual Sarasota County Coastal Clean Up
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Man a shark tooth hunting booth at the Shark's Tooth Festival.
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Partner with Homeless Outreach Ministries to offer eyeglasses and examinations.
Offering financial assistance to our community members:
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Grants to organizations in the community.
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High School scholarships for college and vocational bound students.
Join Us! Bring your time and talents and make an impact in our community. Please call us at (941) 837-2789, email us at secretary@venicelionsclub.com or through the Contact link above for more information about our Club and to attend a meeting.

Venice Lions Club Board of Directors (2022 - 2023)
Louise Elleo
President
Louise grew up in Clifton, New Jersey as the youngest and only girl with three older brothers. Following schooling, she made her way across Pennsylvania and played golf with Arnold Palmer in Latrobe, PA and lived there for 10 years. She relocated to Cary, North Carolina in 2000. Heading South was always in her future.
Louise was blessed to have found her soulmate Keith in North Carolina and married him in Capri, Italy in October 2014. Their family consists of two Macaw Parrots, Ollie and Casey.
Louise has held several managerial positions in the medical device, pharmaceutical and technology fields. Her last position before retirement was 15 years at Cisco Systems. In her spare time she loves to be active playing tennis, golf, water aerobics and traveling the world. Her next adventure is a Safari to South Africa in October 2020.
Louise finds happiness helping those who can't help themselves. Colon Cancer and Alzheimer's are close to her heart; she lost her parents to these deadly diseases.
Louise is proud to be a Venice Lion and recently received the Governor's Award from her sponsor Agnes Woros.
Tom Cookingham
First Vice President
Lion Tom was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, but as an ‘army brat’ he lived in twelve states, Germany and France before graduating high school in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. He attended the University of Arizona for three years and then did a tour of duty with the United States Marine Corps. Upon returning to the University of Arizona Lion Tom graduated with B.S. in geology and a minor in microbiology. Later he received a M.A. in Public Administration and Policy.
Lion Tom worked in both the public and the private sectors as an Urban Planner for 45 years, the last 19 years being spent in Florida.
Lion Tom has been married for 47 years and has a daughter and son who live in Denver, Colorado and Miami Beach, Florida respectively. His past times include volunteering at the Bay Shore Hospital, Venice Island library bookstore, Venice Island Downtowners, Venice Theater and serving on the City of Venice Historic Preservation Board. Lion Tom also enjoys pickle ball, walking/hiking, theater and music.
Lion Tom has only been a member of the Venice Lions Club since 2019, however, he is very excited about the Club’s continued commitment to and scope of community participation. Through his involvement on the Board he hopes to continue the Club’s legacy.
Jeff Myles
Secretary
Born in Attleboro, MA, Jeff attended Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, and attended St. Michael's College in Colchester, VT receiving a BA degree in English Literature. Jeff tried for a career in teaching after becoming certified to teach K-12 in Massachusetts. Eventually, he found a career in the computer industry, first as a field engineer and retiring as a Quality Engineering Manager.
Jeff has one daughter, Erin, who is a self-employed artist and business owner in Providence, RI. He moved to Venice with his wife , Lion Carole, in 2015. Having previously been a member of the North Attleboro, MA Lions, Jeff was reintroduced to the Venice Lions in 2016 and was inducted in October 2016.
Bev Flynn
Treasurer - Administration
Lion Beverly joined the Venice Lions Club in 2006. For over twenty years she had participated with the Lions Club providing eyeglasses for the needy in our community through her optical business. During that time, she realized the importance of the service that the Lions Club provided. She decided to become a member of the organization that provided vision with the same dedication that she has had since becoming a licensed optician.
Lion Beverly has served the Venice Lions as our Tail Twister, Secretary, 2nd and 1st Vice President, and then President for two 2 year terms. She has served as our Zone Chair and the District’s Hearing Foundation president as well. In 2006-2007 she was presented the “Rising Star” award. She received the honor of “Lion of the Year” for 2007-2008, was a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award in 2010 and a Progressive Melvin Jones in 2012, and received a life membership in the Florida Foundation for the Blind, Inc. District 35I awarded the Mildred Conklin Crusader Award to Lion Bev in 2016 for her service in Lions.
Lion Bev has also served as co-chairperson of “The Mane Event Fashion Show” since its inception in 2008. She enjoys designing and decorating for all of our social events.
Born in Covington, Kentucky, Lion Bev moved to Bradenton, Florida when she was two. She now resides in Venice. She loves to travel and spend time with her family. Her hobbies are gardening, reading and event planning when she is not participating in a Lions project.
Barbara McGillicuddy
Treasurer - Foundation
Lion Barbara learned about Lionism at an early age as her dad was a Lion in Bridgewater, MA. Years later when her husband Joe decided it was time to give back to their NH community, she suggested the Hampstead Lions Club. They both became involved and he steadily worked his way through all the club and district offices reaching the position of District Governor of NH District 44-H.
Lion Barbara has been a member of the Lions family since 1974 when she joined the Hampstead (NH) Lioness Club. She became the first Lioness District President in New England and earned five club extension awards. When Lions International dissolved the Lioness District organization she joined the Hampstead and then Portsmouth (NH) Lions Clubs and served as Treasurer of Lions Camp Pride (NH) for 4 years prior to relocating to Venice in 1994. Upon her departure from NH the Hampstead and Portsmouth Lions Clubs joined in naming her a Melvin Jones Fellow and in 2009 the Venice Lions Club awarded her a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship.
Since then Lion Barbara has served the Venice Lions Club as Secretary, 3rd, 2nd, 1st Vice President, as well as two terms as President in 1998-99 and in 2008-09.
Judy Rocquin
Tail Twister
Judy grew up in a small town in Ontario, Canada. After nursing school she and several classmates moved to New Orleans for job opportunities and fun. She met Rocky at a holiday party and they married the following year. This year will be their 44th anniversary. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Judy’s nursing career was varied and very fulfilling. After obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (she already had an Associates Degree) and a Master’s Degree in Education, Judy spent most of her nursing career teaching, coaching and facilitating organizational development. She was actively involved in The American Society for Training and Development, an international organization for training professionals in all industries. She served as the New Orleans Chapter Club President and was the Chair of the Host Committee for the 1992 international Convention which had 10,000 attendees.
In 1995, Judy and her family moved to Aberdeen, Washington. It was there that Judy became involved in the local Lions Club. She served on several committees and helped coordinate the Aberdeen Lions annual “Toast the Harbor” wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser.
When she retired and moved to Florida in 2015, joining the local Lions club was a priority. She and Rocky help coordinate the float decorations and volunteer participation in the Halloween and Christmas Parades. In her role as Tail Twister, Judy is able to reconnect with her teaching roots.
Bob Hoesly
Lion Tamer
Lion Bob was born in Madison, WI and grew up in suburban Milwaukee. After graduation from the University of Wisconsin, he accepted a sales position selling laboratory instruments in St. Paul. That is where he met his wife Jill. They moved to continuously warmer climates over the years and now reside in the Venice area. Their son and two daughters live on the eastern seaboard between New York and Washington DC.
Bob and Jill joined the Avalon, NJ Lions Club in 2012. Bob served as the Club’s Foundation Treasurer. In 2016 after moving to Englewood, he transferred his membership to the Venice Lions Club. Lion Bob is very excited about all of the great services we provide enhancing life for a large number of people in our community.
Paddy Padmanabhan
Immediate Past President
Lion Paddy retired after 40+ years working in the Pharmaceutical Industry. He was in the commercial area mainly in Sales, Marketing and Alliance management area of the company. His wife, Latha, is a retired Registered Nurse, and they have two daughters. The older daughter, Asha is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, and is currently a Major in the US Air Force. The younger daughter, Tina, is a CPA working and living in New York City.
Lion Paddy and Latha enjoy playing tennis and pickleball, and work out regularly to maintain good health. He is also involved with Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County, and helps raise funds for All Faiths Food Bank's Backpack program.
Pamela Brown
One Year Director
Pamela’s interest in Lionism began in 2008 when she managed a Library for the Blind in Virginia Beach. The local Lions Club brought their mobile vision van to the library’s parking lot to offer free vision screenings, and she was so impressed, she joined the same day. After that beginning in Virginia, Pamela was a member of two Lions’ Clubs in Mexico. She has seen what it means to be a member of Lions International. Every local club works to improve the lives of their community’s most vulnerable neighbors in a vast network of assistance spanning the globe. Pamela continues to assist blind and low vision individuals access free audio books from the National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Tim Werla
One Year Director
Lion Tim grew up in Columbus, Wisconsin and in 1982 joined the United States Navy where for 22 years he worked in Aviation Ordnance, Bomb Disposal, and Deep-Sea Diving. During this time, he met Lion Kim, married, and had twins (boy and a girl). Nick is in the Navy as an Air Traffic Controller, and Katie is fulfilling her dreams in working as a wedding planner.
Tim has an Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Bachelors in History and a Master’s degree in Management and Organizational Behavior. He and his wife Kim work together as Realtors at REMAX Alliance Group here in Venice, Florida. They also are members of AMVETS and the Patriot Riders who go out and help Veterans in need.
Tim likes the beach, taking a boat out to look for dolphins and traveling. He looks forward to working with his fellow Lions in order to help those in need.
Jodi Fall
Two year Director
Lion Jody Fall is originally from Mount Vernon, Ohio. She and her husband Jerry lived in the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio area for 25 years before moving to Venice in 2017.
Most of her professional career was spent working in the field of Ohio workers compensation, representing Ohio employers regarding their administrative hearings. She owned her own business for 18 years. Most recently she was a licensed realtor selling residential and commercial real estate. In Ohio she was an active Kiwanis member and past president of the Fairfield Kiwanis Club. She was also active in Corvettes of Hamilton, Life Span, Butler County United Way and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.
In 2007, Jody lost her only child, Rob Forman, from a virus of his heart. She is part of a grief support group of mothers here in Venice.
In addition to the Lions Club, she is active in the Venice, Florida Corvette Club and their social committee. Lions Bob and Cheryl Winstel sponsored Jody in the Lions Club on 2/6/20. Lion Jody has enjoyed participating in The Lions Water Way Clean Up, the Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Easter Egg Hunt, the Mane Event Luncheon and greeting members at our monthly meetings. She has enjoyed her experience with the Lions and looks forward to our future events.
John Tayge
Two Year Director
John was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Business Degree from Lasalle University. Shortly after graduation, he began his life long career at Ryerson Steel. During his 34 year tenure at Ryerson, he and his wife, Rose of 55 years, raised their family of four children.
He transferred to Dallas Texas in 1971 where they lived for 13 years. In Dallas, he also completed his Masters degree in Business from the University of Texas at Dallas and also joined the Knights of Columbus in Dallas. In 1984, he was transferred again to Chicago, Illinois and eventually retired from Ryerson in 1997.
Retirement opened the world of volunteering and John dove right in starting with SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives), Habitat for Humanity, Knights of Columbus Wheaton and the Wheaton, Illinois Lions Club. Here he served as Co-Chair for the vision screening services offered by the Lions Club for children 6 months to 6 years old, served on the Board, and helped with other activities. In addition to volunteering, John loves spending his retirement with his 10 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.
John and Rose always enjoyed wintering in Venice and decided to move to the area full time in August of 2020. John transferred to the Venice Lions Club at this time. He likes the Lions Motto: To Serve and appreciates the opportunities to continue to serve now with the Venice Lions.
Jeff Sterne
Membership Chair
Lion Jeff Sterne has lived his life in thirds, 20 years in Cumberland, MD, 20 years in Johnson City, TN, and 26 years in Lexington, KY. Jeff splits his time between Venice and Lexington. He has been married to his wife, Ginnie, for 48 years. They have two children, Bryan and Cindy, and four grandchildren.
Jeff’s career included working 16 years for a Milk/Ice Cream manufacturing and distribution corporation. He held positions as Region Controller, Corporate Sales Manager, and Region Operations Manager. Jeff also spent 25 years with a $500M Buying Association in Lexington, KY as President/CEO. He retired in 2017.
Jeff joined the Lions Club in 2017 in memory of his dad who was a Lion in LaVale, MD for many years holding various leadership positions.
Jeff is a huge sports enthusiast, especially golf and three major sports (baseball, football, basketball), all of which he played in high school. He also enjoys boating and volunteering.