In a historic milestone, Romeo Hitlall has been sworn in as the first Indo-Guyanese District Governor for Brooklyn and Queens in the 106-year history of Lions District 20K1. Hitlall’s appointment marks a significant achievement, not only for himself but also for the broader community he represents.
Reflecting on his new role, Hitlall expressed a deep sense of accomplishment and dedication to service. “It’s an accomplishment,” Hitlall remarked. “But I just look at it as serving the community, service to humans, service to the world. It means a lot to have the support of the entire district and the community, showing that we can put our differences aside to work together.”
As he takes on this critical role, Hitlall outlined his priorities for the district, emphasizing the need to continue building and growing the organization. “Membership is key to our district,” he explained. “Retaining and growing membership, especially by attracting younger people to Lionism, is one of my main goals.”
Hitlall highlighted the challenge of engaging younger generations, noting that Lions Clubs are often associated with older generations. “My focus is to get younger members involved and to show that Lionism is not just about older people attending meetings; it’s exciting and fulfilling work that can make a real difference,” he said.
Hitlall emphasized the significant impact young people can have by joining the Lions Club. “Younger people have more energy and are more technologically savvy. The organization is the largest humanitarian organization in the world, offering great networking opportunities and career support,” he noted. “But the best part is serving the community. It feels great to help others, which everyone should experience.”
Under Hitlall’s leadership, the Lions Club has undertaken numerous impactful projects. Among these are the annual Christmas tree lighting event in Richmond Hill, the US flag installation during the holiday season, and various community-focused events like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and back-to-school giveaways.
“One of our significant events is the back-to-school giveaway, which we’ve been doing with the Queen’s Library for the past ten years. We started with 100 book bags and now give out about 1,000, filled with school supplies,” Hitlall shared. “We also hold a health fair yearly and an annual turkey giveaway during Thanksgiving, providing meals to needy families.”
Hitlall’s vision extends beyond Brooklyn and Queens. He hopes to continue and expand humanitarian projects in Guyana, the Caribbean, and other regions. “We’re an international organization, present in 204 countries. We’re the first ones in and the last ones out during disasters.
I look forward to collaborating globally and encouraging younger people to join us in this mission.”
Hitlall encourages those interested in joining the Lions Club to reach out. “We’re always looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference. It’s a great networking organization, making new friends, and, most importantly, serving the community,” he said. “Anyone interested can contact me for more information. It’s a fulfilling experience, and I look forward to working with everyone.”
