Quirk Ford Lead Sponsor at Quincy Lions Annual Fundraiser
James ‘Jim’ Dunphy, President of South Shore Bank, Received Frank McCauley Community Service Award

QATV Received Mass Lions Research Fund Award

QUINCY, MA - The Lions Club of Quincy held its annual fundraiser, ‘The Evening for Sight,’ Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Quincy’s Tirrell Room, the event’s venue sponsor.  

Michael Bellotti, Norfolk County Treasurer, and Master of Ceremonies, welcomed about 140 Lions Club members and guests, including special guests Quincy Mayor, Thomas Koch, and State Senators John F. Keenan and Walter Timilty,and Ward 6 Councillor and long-time Lion, Charles Phelan.

Attendees enjoyed an evening filled with with music and fun activities, including a ‘wine-pull’ contest, gift raffle, silent auction and a ‘fund the need’ effort toward a new eye screening machine to expand our ‘KidSight’ program in the Quincy area. DJ Mark McGillicuddy provided music and announcements.

Due to the generosity of sponsors and guests, the club was able to more than double its $15,000 fundraising goal. “This year’s fundraiser was among our best yet,” said Kris Richardson-Smith, President of the Club for the 2022-23 Lionistic year.

“We were pleased to honor Jim Dunphy for his phenomenal work in the community,” said President Richardson-Smith, “and we are especially grateful to Dan Quirk, and all of our tremendous sponsors for their leadership and generosity in support of the club’s many activities related to visual challenges throughout the Greater Quincy community. We were also thrilled to honor QATV for all their years of support with the Mass Lions Eye Research Fund Award. It was a fantastic evening!”

During an early spring Lions Club regular luncheon meeting, Daniel J. Quirk, owner of Quirk Auto, presented a check for $5,000 to recognize the club’s work in eye health in the Quincy Public Schools, the collection of eye glasses to refurbish for those in need, ‘reading for the visually impaired’ on QATV, and countless educational, volunteer and philanthropic efforts undertaken by the membership throughout the year.

South Shore Bank served as the event’s dessert sponsor along with an impressive Lion-branded cake from Montilios (see a complete list of sponsors here).

Proceeds from the event will support Lions Club charities for the Lionistic year 2023-2024,  including - and not limited to - the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Foundation, and the Lions Club International Foundation, assisting visually-challenged people all over the world.

Joseph Reardon, long-time Lion and Vice President of Community Development and Advanced Planning with sponsor, Keohane Funeral Home, presented the ‘Honorable Francis X. McCauley Community Service Award,’ to James M. Dunphy, CPA, CMA and President of South Shore Bank.

The McCauley award is designated annually to a local ‘unsung hero’ who demonstrates a commitment to being of service to the community consistent with the Lions Club motto, ‘We Serve.’ The McCauley award is named in honor of the late Frank McCauley, former four-term Quincy Mayor, and long-time member and president of the Lions Club of Quincy.  

Mr. Dunphy has held senior leadership roles in the banking sector since 1997. He is a certified public accountant, a certified management accountant, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University, and an MBA degree from Franklin Pierce College.

Mr. Dunphy sits on the boards of Massasoit Community College Board, the Massachusetts Bankers Association Board of Directors, and was named to the Boston Business Journal’s ‘Power 50.’ He has served on the boards of several additional nonprofits, including South Shore Chamber of Commerce, South Shore YMCA (Chair), the Greater Quincy Child Care Center, and South Shore Workforce Development. 

During his tenure at South Shore Bank, Mr. Dunphy spearheaded ‘Leadership South Shore,’ a partnership with the bank and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, which guides select individuals through a yearlong immersive learning curriculum, resulting in a group committed to strong community leadership.

Jean M. Wilder, PCC , President Mass Lions Eye Research Fund, presented QATV (Quincy Access Television) the prestigious Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund (MLERF) Award.

The MLERF award is presented to a deserving organization that has contributed or displayed outstanding and dedicated service to their club or community with ideals of eye research in mind. For many years, Lions club members have been reading for the visually challenged via the ‘Talking Bulletin Board’ with QATV.

President Richardson-Smith said, “The long-standing partnership between the Lions Club of Quincy and QATV is among many reasons for this nomination. The ‘Talking Bulletin Board’ volunteer project is one of significant positive impact, which benefits those with visual difficulties. Bringing local news and important information to people who are challenged in this area creates accessibility and inclusiveness throughout the QATV footprint.”

Executive Director Jonathan Caliri, Producer Joe Catalano, and Media Specialist Michael Jarvie were on hand to accept the award.

The Lions Club of Quincy is part of a world-wide, non-political service organization with significant impact on local and global causes, involving primarily the visually-impaired and educational advancement.  Some of the major efforts of the club include a partnership with Quincy Public Schools for the “Kidsight” vision screening program, which has screened more than 4,000 students to date, catching many hidden eye problems and saving a child’s sight on several occasions. Two scholarships are funded for both Quincy high schools, and the club sponsors a competitive speech contest. In addition, the club funds a Toolbox Scholarship at Quincy High for technical education, helping a graduate acquire the tools of their trade.

The Lions Club of Quincy is a 501(c)(3) registered charity (Tax Exempt Number: 04-336189491), and is part of a world-wide, non-political service organization with significant impact on local and global causes, involving the visually-impaired and educational advancement. The International Lions Club convention will be held in Boston this year; visit https://lcicon.lionsclubs.org/ for more information or contact the club at Quincylionsclub@gmail.com. Mail correspondence to P.O. Box 27 Wollaston, MA., 02170.

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