The Oak Cliff Lions Club Fish Fry was born in 2004 out of discussions over
several years among Club members wherein it was recognized the Club might
need to explore other options to raise additional funds to support
charities and to make donations. "Extravaganza" has long been
the main fund-raising event, but the charitable needs of the community
demand new and innovative resources. It is uncertain if this is the first
Fish Fry ever held by the Club, but the initial effort proved to be
successful and provided a likely spring-board for future events. The event
was held at Tyler Street United Methodist Church in June 2004. The
Committee Chair was Lion Bill Harper and Committee members were President
Stonell Greene, Lion Darla Wisdom, Lion Mike Lott, PP Robert Hirsh, ( his
wife Carol provided the cold slaw prepared from a gourmet recipe), Lion
Amy Alburtis, who conducted the Cake Walk, which netted a few dollars, (
Lion Amy's husband, Reginald helped organize in the kitchen and Lion Iris
Smith's husband, Charlie provided an industrial strength cooking appliance
). Lion Harper and Lion Lott cooked the fish and both provided cooking
appliances befitting of the neuvo-riche. The Oak Cliff Lions Club Fish Fry
of 2004, the Club's 75th Year, netted some $ 600.00 and was a successful
beginning to a new Oak Cliff Lions Club fund raising event.
The second Annual Oak Cliff Lions Club Fish Fry took place in April 2005,
with twice as many people fed than in 2004. Held at Tyler Street
United Methodist Church and Chaired by Lion Darla Wisdom, the
Event featured plenty of tasty fish, fries and hush puppies, as well as
performances by the Oak Cliff Lions “Nitty Gritty Band” and several
children or grandchildren of Club Members and Bingo. Members
of the Committee included President Lion Bill Harper, Lion Mike Lott,
Lion Nora Mercado, Lion Sylvia Flores, Lion Herb Garon, Lion Jo Ann
Holt, Lion Doc White, Jr., Lion Darlene Burgert, Lion Ginger
Riley, PP Lion Stoney Greene, Lion Ray Averitt, PP Lion Robert Hirsh,
and PP Lion Bill Melton. The
Second Annual Fish Fry raised some $ 1,020.00 and received a large
charitable contribution from Lion Danny Boyce of $225.00 for a total of
$ 1,245.00.
Perhaps the best overall Fish Fry yet was held in June 2006, at the
beautiful tree-lined Roberts Forest adjacent to Kessler Park United
Methodist Church. The crowd loved the wonderful fish dinner, as well as the
clever decorations, and children's games such as a huge Fish Pinata full of
candy, sack races, balloon toss and other activities. Once again Chaired by
Lion Darla Wisdom, an able Committee of Lion Carrie Carney, Lion Wendy Fox,
Lion Mike Lott, Lion Danny Boyce, Lion Alice Zaccarello, Lion Sylvia Flores,
Lion Charles Musacchio and a number of spouses oversaw the frying, cooking
and clean-up for the Club. Attendance was good, and some $785.00 was raised
for Oak Cliff Lions Charities. The three year fund raising total for the Fish Fry
stood at $2,500.00, with great possibilities for the future.
June 23, 2007, was the date of
Oak Cliff Lions Club Fish Fry # 4 at beautiful Roberts Forest adjoining
Kessler Park United Methodist Church. Lion
Sylvia Flores Chaired the event with a good group of Lion volunteers,
including Lion Mike Lott heading up the "Fish Fryers" once again.
All of the seats were filled, the fish was outstanding, kids games
were exciting and Lion Diana LaQuey’s “World Famous” vanilla ice cream
topped of the evening.Some $700.00 was netted from the 2007 Fish Fry with the four year
Project total now at approximately $3,200.00 for Club charitable activities
Edition #5 of the Oak Cliff Lions Club Fish Fry was held Saturday, June 7, 2008,
at Grace Temple Baptist Church with a "Luau Theme". Lion Sylvia Flores as Chair.
The fish was great, as fried by Lion VP Mike Lott, Lion VP Danny Boyce, Lion Jeff
Francis and Danny Wisdom. President-Elect Darla Wisdom, Lion Diane Francis,
PP Amy Alburtis and Lion Pat Crenshaw, as well as other Lions, pitched in for
the hearty meal. There were door prizes, photos, visiting and a great time by all.
The night yielded some $450.00 for Lions Charities, bringing the five year total to
just under $4,000.00.
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