Jim Lutz, the founder of the Nev-R-Enuf fishing charter, returned to his former office as president of the Avalon Lions Club when the club named its new leaders for the next fiscal year.

Lutz follows the term of Dan Donohue, who stepped back. Also, Paula Trongone became the first vice president and Sue Houser became the service chairperson when the new leaders were inducted at a dinner June 19 and assumed their positions July 1.

“I was vice president and then became president in the same year,” Lutz recalls. “This helped me learn about the club and all of its activities. After that, I was elected president for a term.”

Lutz operates his Nev-R-Enuf charter out of the 14th Street marina.

“Many of my friends that I had made in Avalon, I made through my fishing association,” he says. “They were current members of the [Lions] club and convinced me it was a great organization to join.”

Charity work is the foundation of the club. The Lions host several fundraising events throughout the year, such as their annual golf outing and pancake breakfasts. None of the money the club receives leaves Cape May County.

“We live on a very prosperous island here,” Lutz says, “and across the bridge, you have one of the lowest-income areas in the state of New Jersey and some of the highest unemployment rates. We are here to try and help some of those people.”

The club works consistently with 20 charities and is always looking to collaborate with more organizations. Organizations must be within Cape May County and be a registered 501(c) organization. The club also helps build a strong sense of community in the area.

"What’s terrific about the Avalon Lions is the community connection,” says Donohue, the outgoing president. “You get to know a lot of people. We have over 90 members, so you get to know a lot of them. But then you also get to know the various folks from the 7 Mile Business Community Association, the Chamber of Commerce, the mayor, and the people of the borough board. It’s a good working relationship. And the other thing I really enjoy is getting to know our charities.”

The club currently is looking for new members.

“This is an area that continually turns over,” Lutz says, “and many of our people age out to the point where they want to be involved, but physically can’t be. So we have to continually find new people as they come in.”

The club is composed of nurses, EMTs, teachers, realtors, retirees, and people of many different backgrounds.

Their mission is simple.

“We serve,” Donohue says. “We join because we want to serve the charities that are serving our community. It’s as simple as that. There are so many needs in Cape May County that people may not be aware of outside of the coastal towns.”

For more information or to donate to the club, go to avalonlions.com.

Photo caption: Incoming Avalon Lions Club president Jim Lutz (left) and outgoing president Dan Donohue.