It wasn’t like pulling teeth for the Downers Grove Noon Lions Club to get member Don Tuck to serve a second term as president. Maybe that’s because saving teeth is his profession. And, of course, because he is committed to volunteerism and the causes espoused by Lionism.

But Tuck will be relinquishing the reins soon, and another leader will take over.
Tuck has been a dentist for 38 years. He and his wife, Lynne, who assists him in his dental practice in Downers Grove, have lived here for 37 years and raised four daughters — Jennifer, Amanda, Katharine and Melissa.

Within a few years of moving to Downers Grove, Tuck became more involved in the community by joining the Lions Club. He was drawn to the organization’s efforts in helping the hearing- and sight-impaired. Over the 32 years he has been a member, Tuck has served in most of the club’s positions at one time or another.

Club-related events he has helped with include the Sight and Sound Sweepstakes, the Lions Club’s Heritage Festival Corn Booth, the Annual New Teachers Luncheon, Lions Candy Day, the Christmas Luncheon, the Installation Brunch, the Halloween Parade and the Wine Auction fundraiser.

Chartered in 1926, this philanthropic, nonprofit civic group is one of the oldest in the community. Over the years, many members have served as the organization’s president, and some of them, like Tuck, have served in that capacity more than once.
Tuck’s first term was quite a few years back. Last year, when he was asked to serve as president a second time, he accepted. Now that term is almost over, and he’s letting someone else take over.

This is one of many worthwhile groups that have contributed a great deal to the community and to other charities.

In one recent year alone, the Noon Lions gave to the YMCA Scholarship Fund, two local Little League teams, the Hadley School for the Blind, Easter Seals of DuPage, the Deicke Center for Low Vision, the District 58 Education Foundation, Boy Scouts of DuPage, Downers Grove South and North high schools’ music departments, Recording for the Blind, Canine Companions for Independence, the Chicago Beep Baseball, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Printing House for the Blind and the Ray Graham Special Olympics. This was in addition to hosting the Teachers Luncheon and Halloween Parade and the collection and distribution of glasses and hearing aids.

All this effort has been because, as Tuck said, “It’s a great feeling to volunteer and give back to the community.”

For information on membership or any of the services the Lions Club supports, call (630) 964-4115.