Lions’ BBQ benefits local students | Letter

Published 9:00 am Friday, June 27, 2014

Several weeks ago, $17,500 in college and vocational school scholarships were presented by our local Lions Club to eight of our graduating seniors.  Another $2000 was donated to help Oso landslide victims. A significant part of these donations is made possible by fundraisers such as the upcoming 39th Annual Lions Club Salmon BBQ, on Saturday, July 5 at the Eastsound Fire Station.

Although Nancy and I have lived here for only three and a half years and I have been a Lions Club members for two and a half years, I continue to be amazed by the amount accomplished by this organization.  Other fundraisers include renting tents, tables, and chairs, and the annual “Run for the Grub.”  Service events include the annual Easter egg hunt, the quarterly blood drive, the health screening van, holiday fruit baskets, eyeglass and hearing aid programs, and the mobility equipment program at the Senior Center, which loans equipment to anyone on the island needing it.  Most of these services are provided at low or no cost to the community due to the many hours of service provided by Lions Club members.

My first introduction to the local Lions Club was at the annual Salmon BBQ in July 2011.  As new residents we were made to feel welcome and enjoyed a wonderful meal among members of this wonderful community.

This year’s Salmon BBQ is on Saturday, July 5 beginning after the parade at 1 p.m. and lasting until 7 p.m. Barbecued chicken is also offered and take-out is available. There is a raffle with great prizes donated by local businesses, and the Eastsound firehouse is a wonderful venue for such a nice community event.  Tickets can be purchased ahead of time on Friday afternoons at the Island Market, Saturdays at the Farmers’ Market, during the parade and at the actual event.  Please consider making this part of your July 4th weekend plans.

Steve Schaefer

Orcas Island Lions Club