Lions and Widows bet against the odds in a night of “gamblin’ ’n’ carousin’” in Old West saloon style.
The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club and the Winchester Widows joined forces in the Lions’ annual fundraiser on May 17 at the Ronal Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.
Lions and Widows bet against the odds in a night of “gamblin’ ’n’ carousin’” in Old West saloon style.
The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club and the Winchester Widows joined forces in the Lions’ annual fundraiser on May 17 at the Ronal Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.
Proceeds helped various charitable programs that the Lions support, especially efforts that target aid to East County residents who are sight- and hearing-impaired. For the first time, the Western reenactment group the Winchester Widows collaborated with the Lions in staging the event. The Lions requested donations of community generosity to help continue the group’s mission of service by purchasing a sponsorship or donating a silent auction item, and the Winchester Widows stepped in.
The Widows dress in black garb circa 1880 to depict the strength of Western women who were often widowed early in life when their men met untimely ends. The Winchester Widows group has been in existence for 27 years.
“It’s wonderful to have this experience. In the Old West of the 1880s, women were quietly strong but feminine, getting up early and staying up late, often taking up rifles for protection,” said Cathy Weber, Winchester Widows president.
The Widows’ charitable income from the event went to Challenge Ranch, a 10-acre ranch in Dehesa Valley organized as a non-profit which provides outdoor experiences focused around horseback riding to troubled youths, 7 to 18 years old. For some of these youngsters, the relationship developed with a horse is the first lesson in responsibility and caring interaction with another creature.
Contributors received $200 in chips for a gambling stake, redeemable for prizes at the end of the evening. A heavy appetizer menu emphasized Southwestern fare and different salsas. Adult beverages included two local brewed beers from BNS Brewing & Distilling Co. in Santee, providing Ole Prospector red ale and Peacemaker, a pilsner.
Around 175 people attended the event. Dick Rogers, Lions Club public relations, estimated that the event reaped around $10,000, more than $1,000 over last year’s cruise raffle.
The Lions’ motto is “We Serve.” Members of its organization concentrate their efforts to help blind, visually-impaired and hearing-impaired individuals, work toward the eradication of measles as a disease and to assist victims of natural disasters.
Ongoing Lions Club programs include the student eyeglass program providing free eye exams and eyeglasses to students in East County; eyeglass and hearing aid assistance to needy El Cajon residents and Christmas food baskets given to needy El Cajon families for the December holidays. Camp Jack is two weeks of camping for economically disadvantaged youths in East County, and it also makes contributions to the City of Hope.
The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club, chartered in 1947, meets on Monday at noon in the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 Douglas St. in El Cajon.
The Winchester Widows participate in several events throughout the year, including appearances in skits and at least 10 parades. The group’s own annual fundraiser is a pancake breakfast held in August at the Lakeside Elks Lodge.
