Building, Supporting and Nurturing the Community
BY BARBARA DALY
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Stockton Host Lions Club Celebrates its 90th Anniversary this August
Camaraderie, hijinks, compassion, creativity and hard work are some of the elements that have sustained the Stockton Host Lions Club for the last 90 years. In 1920, the Stockton club was chartered by a diverse group of men who wanted to serve the community. They also knew how to have a good time, and soon the Stockton Lions Club became the largest club west of the Mississippi river.
Ort Loftus has been a member for 57 years and tells stories of club meetings full of good-natured pranks and hilarity. But Ort cites three reasons for staying involved for nearly 6 decades: “The Stockton Lions Club truly does a lot of good for the community. It’s been fun. And through the work we do I have formed some wonderful friendships.”
From establishing Pixie Woods and supporting the Haggin Museum to delivering Christmas food and toy baskets to the poor, to providing college scholarships for local students in need and bringing Little League to Stockton, to crab feeds, barbeques and working the Asparagus Festival, to hosting golf tournaments and sports car races, and even building a mountain cabin to raise funds for the mentally handicapped, the Stockton Lions club is a very active, hands-on group that has spent decades enhancing the Stockton community.
“You don’t belong to satisfy your ego, but rather a sense you have to give to your community. And when you’re cooking for and serving 400-500 people, it’s a good feeling,” says Wayne Richmond, a member for over 50 years.
Nearly every weekend throughout the summer the Lions Club fires up the coals, barbequing feasts to benefit a variety of charitable organizations. In fact, Treasurer Blair Hake says it is these types of activities that make him most proud of his service with the club. “We do a lot of work behind the scenes, like barbequing, that make other charitable events a success.”
In the last 12 years the Stockton Host Lions Club has enriched their membership with the inclusion of women. The meetings are a bit less boisterous, but the club’s passion for helping the community is stronger than ever.
“The best part is that we really make a difference, the next best thing is how you feel inside when you come home at night,” says current club president Marc Garcia. “We welcome new members who will help us continue to be a source for positive change within the community.”
Contact info:
209-639-4737
www.stocktonhost.lions4-a1.org
Camaraderie, hijinks, compassion, creativity and hard work are some of the elements that have sustained the Stockton Host Lions Club for the last 90 years. In 1920, the Stockton club was chartered by a diverse group of men who wanted to serve the community. They also knew how to have a good time, and soon the Stockton Lions Club became the largest club west of the Mississippi river.
Ort Loftus has been a member for 57 years and tells stories of club meetings full of good-natured pranks and hilarity. But Ort cites three reasons for staying involved for nearly 6 decades: “The Stockton Lions Club truly does a lot of good for the community. It’s been fun. And through the work we do I have formed some wonderful friendships.”
From establishing Pixie Woods and supporting the Haggin Museum to delivering Christmas food and toy baskets to the poor, to providing college scholarships for local students in need and bringing Little League to Stockton, to crab feeds, barbeques and working the Asparagus Festival, to hosting golf tournaments and sports car races, and even building a mountain cabin to raise funds for the mentally handicapped, the Stockton Lions club is a very active, hands-on group that has spent decades enhancing the Stockton community.
“You don’t belong to satisfy your ego, but rather a sense you have to give to your community. And when you’re cooking for and serving 400-500 people, it’s a good feeling,” says Wayne Richmond, a member for over 50 years.
Nearly every weekend throughout the summer the Lions Club fires up the coals, barbequing feasts to benefit a variety of charitable organizations. In fact, Treasurer Blair Hake says it is these types of activities that make him most proud of his service with the club. “We do a lot of work behind the scenes, like barbequing, that make other charitable events a success.”
In the last 12 years the Stockton Host Lions Club has enriched their membership with the inclusion of women. The meetings are a bit less boisterous, but the club’s passion for helping the community is stronger than ever.
“The best part is that we really make a difference, the next best thing is how you feel inside when you come home at night,” says current club president Marc Garcia. “We welcome new members who will help us continue to be a source for positive change within the community.”
Contact info:
209-639-4737
www.stocktonhost.lions4-a1.org