THE OCEANPORT LIONS CLUB Doing its part to keep Oceanport a great place to live and raise a family. WHY DO THEY COME AND WHY DO THEY STAY? Oceanport is a community measured by what it provides for its citizens and what its citizens contribute toward its future. The Oceanport Lions Club for the past 55 years has dedicated the talent of its members and the funds raised from its activities to promoting, for all the citizens of Oceanport, a spirit of community and cooperation; both in how it conducts its affairs and through its charitable donations to a multitude of organizations and individuals in Oceanport. From 1996, the Oceanport Lions' Strawberry Fair has served all the people of Oceanport through charitable donations from the proceeds. Severe economic conditions have impacted everyone. Our country, states, counties, and municipalities are hard pressed to produce a balanced budget. Along with the challenging financial times, the Oceanport Lions Club fair this year dealt with events that had a negative impact on the money raised. However, the Oceanport Lions Club commitment to the people of Oceanport is solid. Therefore, in spite of difficult obstacles, we are increasing our donation this year from $5,000.00 to $5,500.00. The Oceanport Lions Club Strawberry Fair will be back next year, Bigger, Better, and Safer than ever. Thank you Oceanport for your support. June 2009 Strawberry Fair donations benefiting Oceanport have now totaled over $160,000.00 during the past 14 years. A A. Not included in this amount are additional funds donated to Lions Club charities and other organizations both statewide and internationally.
YESTERDAY TODAY TOMORROW Lions Club International is the world s largest secular service club organization with nearly 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs in 193 countries and geographic areas Lions are men and women who volunteer their time to humanitarian causes. Founded in 1917, the association s motto is We Serve. YESTERDAY 1952... Charter Night was held at the Old Orchard Country Club on June 7 th, 1952 1952 Daniel C Herring 1st President Sponsored Girl Scout Troop Organized and sponsored basketball league and purchased uniforms YESTERDAY... 1954-1995 Collected clothes and toys for the Boys Homes Held and supervised a hay ride for teenagers Organized boys basketball team Presented scholarship award to outstanding High School graduate Wrote letters to Washington regarding dredging of river Christmas baskets donated to needy families YESTERDAY... 1954-1995 Club members as a whole donate time and materials and paint the community center building
YESTERDAY... 1954-1995 Early in the 1970s Oceanport Lions are asked by the mayor and council to participate in a feasibility study for a senior citizens facility Lions Eye Mobile at the Borough Hall examines 128 people and 53 are referred to future doctor visits Scholarship presented to an outstanding student Donation made for resurfacing 3 ball fields Donation given to the preschool association Eye exams and glasses are provided for 5 local Residents 3 possible cases of glaucoma are detected at the Lions Eye Mobile at the Borough Hall YESTERDAY 1972... The Lions Club embarks on a bold plan to construct a community pool at Blackberry Bay. Town officials support the plan and provide a parcel of land for the project YESTERDAY 1973... The Oceanport community pool is a reality for all the people of Oceanport.
YESTERDAY... The Oceanport Lions Memorial Headstone The Oceanport Lions Club is pleased to announce a special memorial donation. This memorial donation will honor not only Lions Club members but also non-lions members of the community that have faithfully served the borough of Oceanport. While they are no longer with us, they have given us a mosaic of dedication to family, country and service for the youth of today and tomorrow.
YESTERDAY... A few past fundraising activities of the Oceanport Lions Club Scrap paper drive Each month Lions members collected scrap paper from residents of Oceanport 5 Mile run under the leadership of Jack Caputo Oceanport Community Calendar The Oceanport Lions Strawberry Festival YESTERDAY... Oceanport Community Events sign paid for by the Oceanport Lions Club
YESTERDAY & TODAY Since 1996 the main fundraising activity of the Lions Club is the: Oceanport Lions Strawberry Fair The Fair is held for six days late in May The Fair is an official State of New Jersey Agricultural Event. The rides are supplied by Amusements of America, the Nations largest traveling ride company as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. One of the largest traveling petting zoos in the nation. An ongoing 40 year tradition of the famous Lions Club Strawberry Shortcake, sold as a fund raiser. The Oceanport Lions Club awards its academic achievement and community service scholarship to a deserving scholar each year. The Oceanport Lions club donates all the funds raised in its charitable activities. It does not use publicly raised funds toward administrative costs or facility overhead costs, such as buildings etc. 100% raised 100% donated The Oceanport Lions club continues its commitment to providing a quality of life for all the people of Oceanport.
OCEANPORT... A quality of life for all ages and all of God s Creatures Oceanport offers its most prized possessions a safe and enjoyable environment A Note of Special Thanks The donations of the Oceanport Lions Club are made possible by the ongoing success of the Lions Club Strawberry Fair. The successful operation of the Fair is a result of the special efforts of many individuals and organizations including but not limited to the following: Peter Dellera Jr. and his family Oceanport Police Department Monmouth Park Racetrack Mazza & Sons Inc. Oceanport Mayor and Council Oceanport Fire & First Aid The People of Oceanport and the surrounding communities who include the Strawberry Fair each year in their family activities If you would like to know more about the Oceanport Lions Club activities and how you can help or join our club, please contact Lion John M. Bonforte Sr. Business Phone: (732) 229-3444 Ext. 12 Mobile Phone: (908) 489-9090 E-Mail: johnsr@monmouthrubber.com