- Golden Harvest Fest
- A Night at the Races
- Turlock Relay for Life
- Pull Tabs Collection for Ronald McDonald House
- Eyeglasses Collection for Lions in Sight
- Canine Companions Puppy-Raiser support
- Parker’s Prom
SEE ABOVE PHOTOS: December has been a busy month for the Merced Golden Lions and the Golden Valley Leos. We started by presenting a Thanksgiving meal to a Planada family. Then came Operation Santa the first week of December. With the coordination of the Merced PD and our GVHS Leos we covered most of Merced over three nights and handed out almost 3000 candy canes. The PD set up a “Santa Tracker” so people could follow our routes around town and know when we would be in their neighborhood. By the third night we had hundreds of people lining the sidewalks as we came into a new neighborhood…some event put up lawn chairs on corners to welcome the jolly elf! Next we laid wreaths at the San Joaquin National Cemetery for “Wreaths Across America”, honoring 3 of our Club’s veterans buried there…Lions Carlos Ramirez, Jesse Hernandez, and Percy Hill. Lion BA Hansen is at the Winton Cemetery so a wreath was laid there for him as well. Ironically, during the ride to the cemetery it was pouring rain and extremely windy; we almost got blown over laying the wreaths; but, as we were leaving the National Cemetery the sun came out and an amazing rainbow graced the sky. Such a moment! That night we held our Christmas Potluck/Gift Exchange and a fun time was had by all. Breakfast with Santa was held on the 20th. With the assistance of the Merced Breakfast Lions cook crew and the GVHS Leos we served approximately 100 kids and staff. We had a GVHS Leo, Ajaysia Rivera, join the MD-4 Leos who went down to Pasadena to help decorate the Lions Rose Parade Float. Long drive…but Ajaysia says it was well worth it! And finally, on Christmas Eve we delivered gifts and a prepared meal to a local family selected by the Boys & Girls Club. The Merced Golden Lions hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and made lasting memories with family and friends…and wish you all a prosperous, healthy New Year 2025.
