25-year Lions Club member credits dad for initiating his membership
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Herb M. Wilber, left, receives a pin acknowledging his 25 years of service to the Amherst Lions Club, from District Governor Kenneth Butkowski. Wilber was recognized in November as one of the "hardest working members in service to the community."

Amherst Lions Club member Herb M. Wilber likes what he does, so much that he has done it for 25 years.

He was honored in the fall for his milestone but to him, volunteering is just something he was taught to do and not for recognition.

"I like what the Lions do for the local community, for the needs we have here," he said. "And we also do things that are more of a regional benefit, and international, too."

Wilber joined the Lions as a young adult, following in the footsteps of his late father, Herb Wilber, who had been a member since 1967 before passing away in 2004.

A former guidance counselor for the Amherst Central School District, Wilber's father was recruited by a charter member, Tom Davis, retired principal of the former Harlem Road school.

Just as Mr. Wilber was recruited, he did the same for his son, who was recognized for his 25th anniversary in November.

"When one joins a Lions Club, one part of the ceremony is to close your eyes for a few minutes to see what it is like to be blind. Hopefully, this is the only experience you will ever have with being sightless," he said. "If you do that and keep your eyes closed for even a couple of minutes, you will see how profoundly the loss of sight can and would change your life. To be able to prevent one person from losing the gift of sight needlessly is a noble goal for a lifetime."

Wilber is very involved in the annual pancake breakfast, which is scheduled this year for March 15 at Christ United Methodist Church. He and his dad used to be the "Herb and Herb Team," selling ads for the breakfast place mats.

"Having my dad in the club was good," he said about continuing for 25 years. "And you also have to like what you are doing and feel you are spending the time doing something worthwhile."

Wilber still sells ads for the place mats, and works in the kitchen during the breakfast. He has recruited his wife, Nora Townsend, who makes the coffee, which he said is great.

"We are trying to keep the pancake breakfast going to raise funds for various projects," he said.

Like many service organizations, the Lions Club has seen a dip in membership.

Wilber was 28 when he joined, working and going to night school at Canisius College for his master's degree in business. He said recruiting is still important for the club.

"To me, it's something I enjoy doing," he said.

His mother, the late Correnne Wilber, joined five years ago and served before passing away in 2007.

Wilber was the recipient of the Robert Uplinger Award, named after a former international Lions president from New York, for his outstanding service to Lionism, particularly in helping with the annual Walk for Sight.

He is also a past president of the Amherst Lions Club and currently serves as vice president.

Wilber is one of three members with 25 years (or more) of service. Davis has 58 years, and Ken Wasson has 30.

"It is important to remember today with all of the focus on bad people doing bad things in the world, that there are also a lot more good people doing good things," Wilber said. "The Amherst Lions Club is one such group of good people doing good things and would welcome you into our organization."

Wilber is a quality control manager at North American Höganäs in Niagara Falls.