Thanks and Giving were important events around Lakeside the week before Turkey Day. The Woman’s Club of Lakeside gave two very generous donations to local charities at its November meeting. A $2,000 gift went to Final Honor, which provides a classic black carriage pulled by a white horse with a flag draped casket or urn for veteran funerals.
Thanks and Giving were important events around Lakeside the week before Turkey Day. The Woman’s Club of Lakeside gave two very generous donations to local charities at its November meeting. A $2,000 gift went to Final Honor, which provides a classic black carriage pulled by a white horse with a flag draped casket or urn for veteran funerals.
Another $2,000 gift went to Miracle Babies, for infant’s families who need support and transportation to see their critically ill newborn baby in the hospital. “We see that no family will miss seeing their baby on the holidays,” said Carolyn Bass, who is finishing up her term as president, she added these donation funds were raised at the club’s annual Bunko Party they held last Spring at the VFW Hall.
Andrea Canfield, chair of the Domestic Violence Committee, thanked the members for their generosity of donations of furniture and household items so they could set up apartments for two families who were escaping domestic violent predators.
Carrie Stafford, former Southern District president, presented the installation of officers for 1915: President Liz Harris, Vice President Lisa Sharp, Secretary Carmen Holt, Treaurer Martha King.
Directors: Andrea Canfield, Marilyn Sanders and Sharon Smith.
State President Chris Herzo visited her Lakeside home club as well.
Another thankful event came about from a grass roots effort by the local community, with the help of Steve Johnson, a veteran. The word had been spreading around Lakeside that the Veterans of Foreign War Carter Smith Post 5867, was in financial trouble. Folks were wondering how they could help the well deserving group and support them in some way. Johnson took to the streets of Lakeside and asked the various businesses and community service organizations to give a helping hand by supporting a Friday night steak dinner with additional donations of gifts for a raffle which would go to the VFW as well.
The community jumped at the chance to give our veterans some help. More than 100 people signed up for the fundraiser steak dinner with all the trimmings. Donors gave gifts and baskets which were raffled off. Some of the local donors were the Historical Society, East Bound Restaurant, Woman’s Club, Home Depot, Hooters, Pivots Coffee Shop and Boll Weevil Restaurant. Wal-Mart gave a flat screen TV. More than $300 was raised for the Vets in this manner plus the dinner sales.
Guest speaker for the evening was Eric Anderson, who gave a patriotic talk about preserving the Constitution, where our freedoms come from and how it works for US citizens.
Johnson, so touched by the support the community had given the VFW asked what community groups attended the event.
These groups were a show of force. Lakeside Frontier Riders, Optimists Club, Woman’s Club, Historical Society, Boy Scouts, El Cajon Mounted Police, Presbyterian Church, Garden Club, Fire District, Red Hat Society and OLPH. Mike Harrison from Duncan Hunter’s office gave a welcome and thank you to all, he works to help veterans get the help they deserve and need. The Tea Party movement sponsored the event.
Post Commander Steve Williams, gratefully accepted the donations. He said the Post helps veterans with wheelchairs and walkers, Boy Scouts, youth groups, scholarships and combat veterans. Neighbors helping neighbors. He said the VFW Hall was built in 1946 with funds from the Woman’s Club. The Post is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays and a Sunday morning breakfast is served as well. If you would like further information on how you can help the Lakeside VFW please call Steve Johnson at 520-5916 or LakesideTea@yahoo.com.
