Jason Yu
Our next guest needs no introduction. You could say he is the life of the party. If there is a meet up you can bet that he’ll be there. Whether in a pub or on a bus, you better believe that he’s the one who is starting a song. Always singing loudly and proudly at the top of his lungs is the one and only Jason Yu, member of the Space City Lions in Houston.
Born in Worcester and growing up South of Birmingham in a town called Droitwich, Jason and his family made the move across the pond to Houston, Texas in 1993. He attended the University of Houston and graduated with a degree in Media Production. By day he works as a market analyst for the state and for ATT Sportsnet Southwest which broadcasts the local teams of the Astros and Rockets. By night he exhibits his musical passion through a Beatles cover band called The Molly Jones and a 90s band called The Monicas. He has also be seen breaking out the guitar to play a tune or two during the North American Happy Hour Zoom Calls!
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In September, those passions unfortunately needed to take a back seat when Jason became ill and hospitalized with a reaction to medication that was later diagnosed as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. Jason gave a whole new meaning to being a resilient Villa supporter. Even during those times, Jason would set up an iPad and catch every Villa match! Through the pain and puffy eyes, he continued to follow and show his love for this great club. During his hospital stay, Jason’s sister began a GoFundMe to help assist Jason with these sudden medical expenses. As friends and family do, many came together to help out our brother by greatly surpassing the monetary goal. You can read more about Jason’s journey here. Jason’s strength, determination and positive outlook is second to none. Now home, he continues to recover and focus on his health through running.
Oak Tree Award
The Oak Tree Award is an annual award given to the individual Lions Club member that provides/donates the single auction item that raises the most money for Acorns Children's Hospice during the Annual North American Meet Up auction. The presentation of this award began in 2019.
2019 Oak Tree Recipient
Congratulations to Simon Tissington from the San Diego Lions for winning the inaugural Oak Tree Award.
The item that yielded the highest funds during the 7th Annual North American Meet Up in San Francisco was a boot signed by none other than Jack Grealish.
Simon obtained the boot through a meeting opportunity in Minneapolis, Minnesota during Aston Villa's preseason friendly on July 17, 2019. The Jack Grealish boot was auctioned for $1100 USD.
