As we are in a time of giving thanks and reflecting on the year that has passed, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents and businesses of the Santa Maria Valley for their continued generosity to our club, the Santa Maria Noontimers Lions, and to all the area Lions Clubs.
It began in January with your numerous purchases of enchiladas to support the Lions Sight Conservation Foundation of Santa Maria. It continued from spring until late fall at the Santa Maria Speedway with the many fans participating weekly in our club’s fundraiser there.
Several businesses and individuals stepped up to sponsor or participate in our annual Lou Benetti California Classic Blind Golf Tournament in September. In October, many of you donated to the annual White Cane Days, sharing stories of how the Lions had helped you, or a loved one, in the past.
Most recently, we were once again part of the amazing Michael B. Clayton Veterans Day Barbecue. As such, we received an extremely generous donation from the local Coca Cola Sales Center, which provided nearly 2,000 bottles of Dasani water for us to distribute to our veterans and their families.
Through these contributions and more, we are able to support those in need in our community, including the Good Samaritan Homeless Shelter, the Santa Maria branch of the Braille Institute, the Salvation Army, and the Santa Barbara County Education Office, Program for the Visually Impaired.
Thanks again, Santa Maria! See you in January at the next enchilada sale.
This article appears in Dec 5-12, 2013.
