RALEIGH -- Sid L. Scruggs III stopped in Raleigh for lunch Monday, a fairly non-exotic journey for a Moore County resident who is used to traveling the world.
Flipping through his calendar, the new Lions Club International president showed penciled-in dates for trips to Finland, Denmark, Sweden, India, Scotland, Japan, Costa Rica, Panama, Ethiopia, San Francisco and Milwaukee, all before the end of October.
A retired military man and commercial airline pilot who has turned his life over to volunteering, Scruggs travels to visit Lions Clubs service projects and to spread the word about the world's largest service-club organization. Although the Lions are best known for helping the visually impaired, the group also builds playgrounds, feeds the hungry and works on environmental projects.
"When there's no more need," Scruggs said, smiling, "I'll quit and go back to playing golf."
Scruggs, 71, was officially installed as Lions Club International president during the group's annual convention a little more than a month ago in Sydney, Australia. He ascended to the position after being elected second vice president two years ago.
Originally from Tennessee, Scruggs and his wife, Judy, lived across the nation while Sid served in the Navy. After leaving the service, he began working for American Airlines, which brought him to North Carolina in 1987.
The couple have four children, and it was fatherhood that drove Scruggs toward volunteerism. After leaving the Navy, he was able to devote time to his children's sports leagues, as well as YMCA Indian Guides, the Boys and Girls Club and the school board. He joined the Vass Lions Club after settling in Moore County.
"I saw the Lions as a way to provide good, hands-on community service," Scruggs said. He then began to take on leadership roles.
Lunch with a VIP
On Monday, Scruggs visited the Raleigh Host Lions Club, which holds its meetings off Wake Forest Road near the Beltline. In an organization that values its hierarchical structure, a visiting international president is a special occasion. More than 100 people filled the room.
"It's a big deal to have him here," said Raleigh Host Lions Club President Bill Churn. "He is the Big Kahuna."
After lunch, Scruggs gave a short talk on what he hopes to accomplish as president. Emphasizing service and not just the numbers of dollars raised, he started a four-part service program and is encouraging all Lions Clubs to participate. In August, he's asking clubs to work with youth; in October, the visually impaired; in December and January, to commit to feeding the hungry and in April, to work on environmental projects in honor of Earth Day.
Lacy Presnell Jr., a member of the Raleigh club who has known Scruggs for more than 20 years, said Scruggs has all the qualities to lead the Lions.
"He's just such a motivator," Presnell said, "and he's involved with the delivery of service. He's not just a speaker."
Visiting with workers
After the meeting adjourned, Scruggs toured the sewing operation next door, RLCB Inc. The organization employs about 200 people, most of them visually impaired, who sew items to fulfill government contracts. On Monday, workers stitched together camouflage tote bags for the military and pillows that will be used in VA hospitals.
Scruggs, who serves on the nonprofit's board of directors, interacted with workers at sewing machines so that a videographer could capture footage for use on a Lions website.
Afterward, Scruggs acknowledged that the membership of service groups such as the Lions tends to be older. But he seems confident that the generation presently growing into adulthood emphasizes service.
"We're seeing a return to people seeing there's more to life than a paycheck," he said. More and more people "want to get some psychic income, to make a difference."
