Page 11 - 2022 Mid-Winter Convention Program

THE LIFE & LEGACY OF A LION-HEARTED LEADER

PDG CHARLES W. MCBRIDE

2017 - 2018
“We Serve With Honor and Dedication”

Lion Charles W. McBride, lovingly called “Charly,” was elected to serve as District Governor, as Lions Clubs
International began its second century of humanitarian service.

With his boundless passion for service, he urged support for the new Centennial Challenges - Diabetes Awareness
Education and Childhood Cancer, and assistance for those already diagnosed. Under his leadership, District 20-
K1 made significant financial contributions to St. Jude’s Hospital and Camp Badger. He championed membership
growth and retention, leadership development and community legacy projects that increased the visibility of
Lionism in our communities. With “The Power of WE,” PDG Charly established a six-member team to design,
develop and maintain a new District Website.

His Signature Project, “Youth At Risk,” provided weekly group and individualized mentoring for marginalized
youth (mainly men) in South-East Queens. PDG Charly demonstrated a special compassion for neglected and
overlooked veterans. When Care Packages were delivered to the various institutions, he was visibly stirred with
delight. He flashed that characteristic wide smile that re-energized those veterans with hope and warm
reassurances that people still care about them and remember their valuable contributions. Organizing and
participating in Memorial Day Parades was extra special to PDG Charly.

PDG Charly was gifted with bigheartedness, generosity, warmth and kindness. As a dedicated member of the
District’s Alert Team, he was always available to serve and provide Disaster Relief to victims of adversity. Whether
it was for Hurricane Sandy in District 20-K1, Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, flood in Trinidad and Tobago,
earthquakes in Haiti or volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and The Grenadines, he mobilized relief effort teams to
offer “hands-on” respite, and reconstruction, in-kind assistance and solicit financial support from LCIF.

“Our Leos are a special group of young people,” PDG Charly often remarked, “they are the future of our District
and our communities.” St. Anastasia Leo Club held a special place in his heart. During his tenure, he organized a
partnership with Apple to teach “Coding” to interested Leos. With his continued support, our Leos were
participants in the USA-Canada Leo Leadership Forum. This summer, he engaged with Leos in the Leo-Lion
Environmental Horticulture Project, sponsored by DG Anthony Cochran.

District 20-K1 will forever remember PDG Charles “Charly” McBride with great affection and warmth.
His genuine kindheartedness, love for all people regardless of color, creed, national origin or
race and his sincere, relaxing and welcoming smile will always remain etched in
our hearts.

“We pray that the angels welcome our friend, PDG Charly into Paradise
that has been prepared for him since the beginning of time. May God’s
Holy Spirit embrace his esteemed wife, Lion Nancy, his beloved sons Chip
and James, other family members and friends with comfort and peace as
they recall pleasant personal memories.”