Welcome to the Jackson Lions Club
The Jackson Lions Club proudly welcomes you to our website! We have served the community and our world for many decades, and our tradition continues today.
Many people ask, "What is the Lions Club?", and here's the answer in a nutshell: We are a group of committed and dedicated business people from the greater Jackson, California area who share a common belief: that service to others is a high and worthy calling. And we share this view passionately with Lions Club members all over the world. Please visit our Why We Serve page for more information about how the Lions came to be, and other information about our organization.
Here is where you'll find the latest information on our Club's many events and efforts such as Dandelion Days and our 3rd of July Fireworks Spectacular and more. You can find more detailed info on our events and activities on our "Our Programs" page.
Dandelion Days, hosted by the Jackson Lions Club, returned to downtown Jackson on March 19-20 with a great crowd turnout after a two-year hiatus due to Covid. The event included a street fair with nearly two hundred vendors, kids’ carnival rides, two music venues with great bands, a beer and wine garden, and a pancake breakfast both mornings. The Jackson Lions have hosted this event for over forty years, and appreciate the great support from the City of Jackson, Jackson Rancheria, Ledger-Dispatch Newspaper, National Hotel, and other local businesses.
____________________________________________________________________
The Jackson Lions Club regrets that the Dandelion Days event in downtown Jackson scheduled for March 20-21, 2021 has been cancelled. Vendors who would like a refund of their booth fees should contact the Club at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call: (209) 296-2275.
_____________________________________________________
Oct. 31, 2015 - Jackson Lion's Club Annual Halloween Parade winners, sponsors and sign holders.
Holding the signs:
First Grade – Jim Hayes
Second Grade – Jeff Seaton
Third Grade – Bob Zweig
Forth Grade – David Way
Fifth Grade – Daniel Davidinas
Pre-school – Tom Blackman
Kindergarten and Jr Hi/sixth grade - Unknown
Wallace P. Jones | 1926-27 |
Charles P. Vicini | 1927-29 |
W.E. Askew | 1929-30 |
W.C. Capeman | 1930-31 |
A.L. Pierovich | 1930-31 |
Walter H. Taylor | 1931-32 |
T.A. Hedgpeth | 1932-34 |
Alex F. Ross | 1934-35 |
George W. Hark | 1935-36 |
Ralph C. McGee | 1936-37 |
Walter Day Manning | 1937-38 |
William A. Balsley | 1938-39 |
D.J. Briscoe | 1939-40 |
Charles E. Gorman | 1940-41 |
S.J. Bonneau | 1941-42 |
Howard Bartlett | 1942-44 |
George T. Morken | 1944-45 |
J. Franklin Daneri | 1945-46 |
Elias S. Day | 1946-47 |
Chester I. Bailey | 1947-48 |
Vern Mounter | 1948-49 |
J.W. Voss, Sr | 1949-50 |
Ray O’Reilly | 1951-52 |
Francis H. Eshbach | 1952-53 |
E.T. Wise | 1953-54 |
Swen J. Peterson | 1954-55 |
Pierce J. Deasy | 1955-56 |
Andrew Ghiglieri | 1956-57 |
Martin Ryan | 1957-58 |
Leon Hart | 1958-59 |
Thomas R. Regan | 1959-60 |
Warren R. Taylor | 19’60-61 |
Milo Radulovich | 1961-62 |
Walter Smallfield | 1962-63 |
Dan Vukajlovich | 1963-64 |
Robert Knudson | 1964-65 |
Vic Koplin | 1965-66 |
Bob Plaister | 1966-67 |
Gard Chisholm | 1967-68 |
Norman Trevaskis | 1968-69 |
Guy Reynolds | 1969-70 |
Bud Peters | 1970-71 |
Lyman Bennett | 1971-72 |
Robert Green | 1972-73 |
Jim Bristow | 1973-74 |
Joe Scheiber | 1974-75 |
George Jim Slater | 1975-76 |
Michael H. Chisholm | 1976-77 |
Larry Standing | 1977-78 |
Bob Rogers | 1978-79 |
Ray Watson | 1979-80 |
Roger Chastain | 19’80-81 |
Dave Carlson | 1981-82 |
George W. Ryan | 1982-83 |
Ray Olivarria | 1983-84 |
Michael Bohl | 1984-85 |
Rob Swensen | 1985-86 |
Doug Gunselman | 1986-87 |
Wayne Lackey | 1987-88 |
Mike Ryan | 1988-89 |
Mark Giannini | 1989-90 |
Bart Gillman | 1990-91 |
Jay Lucke | 1991-92 |
Tom Kohlman | 1992-93 |
Lee DeLange | 1993-94 |
Paul Accinelli | 1994-95 |
Lon Hamburger | 1995-96 |
Paul Molinelli, Jr. | 1996-97 |
Steve Brown | 1997-98 |
Tom Blackman | 1998-99 |
Larry Rutter | 1999-2000 |
Jim Buell | 2000-01 |
Greg Brotherton | 2001-02 |
Bob Ellis | 2002-03 |
Dave Richards | 2003-04 |
Steve Zalkind | 2004-05 |
John Ambrose | 2005-06 |
Jim Guidi | 2006-07 |
John Wiens | 2007-08 |
Todd Riebe | 2008-09 |
Tony Richards | 2009-10 |
Craig Murphy | 2010-11 |
Beau Gillman | 2011-12 |
Jon Luy | 2012-13 |
Ryan Shortridge | 2013-14 |
Ron Olivero | 2014-15 |
Robert Trudgen | 2015-16 |
Eric Rouen | 2016-17 |
Dave Lefebvre | 2017-18 |
Dick Lockwood | 2019-20 |
Byron Welch | 2020-21 |
John Pabst | 2021-22 |
Sept. 14, 2015 - Board members of the Jackson Lions Club are proud to present a check in the amount of $10,800 to the Butte Fire Disaster Fund, managed by the Amador Community Foundation (ACF). Jackson Lions Club President Robert Trudgen (left center) presented ACF President Pat Crew with the check. (Pictured from left to right: ACF Executive Director Kathleen Harmon, Lions Secretary Dave Richards, Doug Smallfield, Mike Presson, Rich Lockwood, Craig Murphy, Jon Luy and Bart Gilman.)
Other groups and individuals are encouraged to do the same, as ACF has the experienced staff to properly administer the task of directing relief to where it is most needed. ACF has confirmed there will be NO administrative fee for this fund. County boundaries do not apply for this fund, so even though this is an Amador organization, those folks in Calaveras in need will be eligible for help. Don't hesitate, donate today!
The Lions service organization began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones, (photo top right) who believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Our motto, "We Serve", exemplifies the spirit of Lions around the world.
The Jackson Lions Club is a member of the worldwide Lions Club organization which, at 1.4 million members, is the world's largest service organization. The Lions credo is "We Serve", and represents a personal desire and commitment to give back to our local community.
Our members are local business people who serve our community through numerous fundraising programs and events that primarily benefit youth programs. Lions put words into action by demonstrating their personal desire and commitment to give back to our local Amador community and contribute something of meaning to those in our world less fortunate. Our event here in the County are well-known: Dandelion Days, 3rd of July and other efforts (please see our "Our Programs" page for more information.)
Worldwide, Lions clubs are recognized for their service to the blind and visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller (photo bottom right) challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" during the 1925 Lions Club convention. Through its SightFirst program started in 1990, the Lions have provided more than 3.4 million cataract surgeries, built or expanded 154 eye hospitals, supported more than 47 million treatments to prevent river blindness, and a multitude of other activities and efforts related directly to fighting the major causes of reversible and preventable blindness. Not to mention, collecting more than 6 million pairs of used eyeglasses annually for free distribution to those in need in developing countries.
Though our local Club's efforts primarily benefit youth programs, the drive to heed Helen Keller's challenge is very much in play locally, as evidenced by our collection efforts to gather used eyeglasses. You know us as the people who give out little white canes, as a "Thank You" to those who contribute, and to create and sustain awareness of this very important part of what Lions Clubs are all about.
Your participation in our events, and your generosity in helping support our various programs, makes our programs possible. You are helping to made our community and our world a better place to live... and we thank you!
Locally, Lions Club members support a variety of youth programs such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Little League Baseball, Youth Basketball, Youth Wrestling, Youth Soccer and 4-H programs (through the purchase of animals at the auction, and through support of the 4-H Sacramento and Washington Leadership programs).
The proceeds from our events provide over $15,000 per year in scholarships to deserving Amador area students, and also support Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Our primary fundraising events are...
Event | Description |
---|---|
Beer Booths |
At the 2021 Amador County Fair, July 29 thru August 1, the Jackson Lions will be operating multiple Beer Booths |
Dandelion Days |
This is the primary fundraiser for our scholarship program, held on the weekend closest to St. Patrick's Day (for more info, click here) |
Fireworks Sales |
The Jackson Lions will sell approved, safe and sane fireworks at the same location in Detert Park as we have for many years. Click here for more info. We also plan to provide a free fireworks show for the public on the 3rd of July. Because of changing Covid rules, particularly for large crowds, we are still assessing possible locations and details of the event. Please check this website and local media for updates. |
Annual Children's Halloween Parade | The Children's Halloween Parade takes place every year on October 31st. The event starts at 5pm in Jackson on Main Street, gathering at the Fire Station. Prizes are awarded for age groups pre-school through Junior High. The Parade starts at 5:30pm, going south on Main Street to the Civic Center were all children will receive a bag of treats and free hot dogs to participants. |
The following links offer some perspective on the Lions Clubs and the work we do all over the world. There are also some local links of interest that tie in with our work. Enjoy!
(these links will open in a separate browser window, so close that window when you're done to return here)
Lions Clubs Foundation Int'l (grant-making arm of Lions Clubs Int'l) |
Mailing Address:
Jackson Lions Club
PO Box 64
Jackson, CA 95642
General Information | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Scholarship Programs | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
President | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Secretary Inquires | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Treasurer Inquires | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
The Annual St. Patrick's Day Dandelion Days Celebration is a family-oriented event, and it's lots of fun! It includes an outdoor bazaar and street fair featuring antiques, relics and collectibles, arts and crafts, and much more. There is also lots of fun, food, kids' carnival rides and even a 5K run. A pancake, ham and egg breakfast located at the Jackson Civic Center, kicks off both days activities at 7:00am (or there about). But Dandelion Days is also known for its rich local community flavor, one thing that makes it so popular. In fact, a great many attendees come from outside the county to join the fun! Not least of all, Dandelion Days is the Jackson Lions Club's largest fund-raising event and benefits student scholarships and community events.
JACKSON LIONS CLUB PRESENTS
ANNUAL DANDELION DAYS STREET FAIR, MARCH 18 – 19, 2023
The Jackson Lions Club is pleased to announce the return of their traditional family picnic activities to the Club’s annual Third of July Fireworks Show at a new location – Aimee Baseball Field, Detert Park, Jackson.
On Sunday, July 3, 2022, the Jackson Lions will welcome kids of all ages to Aimee Baseball Field, Detert Park, Jackson, to celebrate Independence Day with family games, live music, a barbecue snack shack, and raffle for great prizes (including four bicycles!), all leading up to the spectacular fireworks show that the Lions Club is famous for providing to the community. As in past years, the fireworks show will be launched from Jackson Jr High Butte Bowl -- no public allowed there.
The fun and games will be held on the baseball field starting at 6 pm, with live patriotic music at Detert Park and the fireworks show beginning at dark, usually around 9:30 pm. Admission is free, and families should bring chairs or blankets for seating on the lawn.
Plan to park at Argonaut High School (parking lot on Argonaut Lane) and catch the free Amador Transit shuttle to Detert Park at the corner of Argonaut Lane and Westview Drive. The shuttle will run every 20 minutes between Detert Park and the corner of Argonaut Lane and Westview Drive. Click here for the full schedule.
The Lions are also planning to hold their annual safe and sane fireworks sale 9 am – 9 pm, June 28 – July 4, near the Aimee Baseball Field at Detert Park in Jackson.
All proceeds from fireworks sales and donations will support the Jackson Lions scholarship funds and support to youth groups and many other local projects.
CONTACT: Jackson Lions Club July 3rd Co-Chair Todd Riebe ~ (209)418-9071, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Camille Sobon was crowned 2014 Jackson Lions Rodeo Queen during a ceremony held May 24 at Evalynn Bishop Hall in Ione, Calif.
"I am speechless right now," Sobon said after the ceremony. "It was such an honor to be named Jackson Lions Rodeo Queen. I have a lot of pride in Amador County as well as the other contestants I competed against today. I've worked really hard with my horse, and I gave it my all and I'm just thrilled with the results."
Page 1 of 2