Oak Cliff Lions Club of Dallas (OCLC) recently hosted the 34th Annual Bill Melton Humanitarian Award.  Each spring this club recognizes an individual(s) whose activities and service exemplify our Motto- “We Serve.” Past Recipients include: Ebby Halliday Acers (1997), Tom Landry (1978), Liz Minyard (2002), Raymond Nasher (1998), and T. Boone Pickens (2009).

This year’s recipient is Michael A. Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins is currently the President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) as well as President and Founder of Leisure and Recreation Concepts Inc. (LARC). 

As the President of DSM, Mr. Jenkins introduces and treats 2,000 children a year to their first live theater performance.  In addition, DSM operates a training school at various locations around North Texas that has enrolled more than 1,000 students, including many scholarship students, in the last five years. Michael Jenkins also instituted a successful program in 2005 in connection with the Dallas Police Department called “Stage Right,” which introduces at-risk youth ages 10-15 to arts and cultural events. 

Jenkins serves on numerous civic boards including the American Heart Association, Variety Club of North Texas, Dallas Cowboys, and others. 

OCLC convenes each week for lunch and is currently comprised of over 140 members from across the community.  OCLC holds two major fund raisers each year, a golf tournament in the spring, and a musical in the fall. Combined earnings from each annually produce approximately $20K in money to be redistributed back into the community for qualified organizations.  For questions, please call (214) 947-2921.

John Dodd, Past Club President and Co-Chairman, Awards Committee; Bill Melton, Past District Governor, Past Club President; Mike Lott, President; Michael A. Jenkins, Award Recipient, President and Managing Director of Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) as well as President and Founder of Leisure and Recreation Concepts Inc. (LARC); Bill Tucker, Co-Chairman, Awards Committee.

Photo by Chris Waits