1) Frank Schwengel, president of the Lions Club of Santa Monica, awards Iao Katagiri with the prestigious 26th Annual Community Recognition Award on Thursday, March 1, 2007, at the Upper Bel Air Bay Club. 2,3) Judy Neveau, a representative from Santa Monica College recognizes Katagiri during the ceremony on Thursday. The Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters. Beginning in 1917, the association of Lions clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give something back to their communities.