Lions Club 4th Annual Apple Drop to benefit seniors and diabetes research

The Tehachapi Lions Club successfully completed their 4th Annual Apple Drop on Oct. 9 during the Tehachapi Apple Festival. Due to the generosity of others, the Lions will be able to donate funds to Christmas for Seniors in Tehachapi and the Lions Diabetes Foundation.

The Lions would like to thank the community of Tehachapi for its support as well as Albertson's for allowing them to sell tickets in front of their store. For the past two years, BSE Equipment Rental played a huge part in the success of the Apple Drop by donating the use of their manlift during the event. We would also like to thank our other sponsors: The City of Tehachapi, Carlos' Donuts, Big Papa's Steakhouse and Saloon, and Moats and Hebebrand CPA's. The Apple Drop was made even more successful due to generous donations of gift certificates from local businesses.

The following is a list of the 2016 Tehachapi Lions Club Apple Drop winners: C.J. from Tehachapi won the grand prize of $1,000, Jon of Santa Monica won $750, Flo of Tehachapi won $500, Barbara of Tehachapi won a $50 Big Papa's gift certificate, Laurie of Tehachapi won a dinner for 2 at the Steam Punk Café, Chuck of Tehachapi won a $50 Kmart gift certificate, Wayne from Palmdale won a $25 Kohnen's Bakery gift certificate, Kathryn of Tehachapi won a $25 Henry's Café gift certificate, Rufus of Tehachapi won 3 large Domino's Pizzas, Joann from Acton won a $25 gift certificate from P-Dub's Grille and Bar, Pat of Tehachapi won a $25 Home Depot gift certificate, Tenlee from Arizona won 5 Sail Thru Car Washes, Ginny from San Gabriel and Stuart from Boron both won $20 Shed or Red House BBQ gift certificates. We would also like to give a special thank you to Shaun Murray and B.J. Kingsbury for their help in dropping the apples from the raised manlift onto our target again this year.

The Lions will now be preparing for their Christmas for Seniors service project. This project serves to brighten the holidays for low-income, isolated and/or homebound seniors in our community who have no family around to share Christmas with. We are looking to expand our list of seniors. If you know of a senior who fits this criteria please contact Suzanne at (661)822-7583. We are currently collecting sundries items for our seniors. You can find a list of needed sundries items on the Lions Facebook page and also on their website http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/tehachapi. Donations can be dropped off at The Loop, 206 S. Green Street or at the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, 209 E. Tehachapi Blvd., any time through Dec. 3.

The Lions are also looking for some elves to help shop for the seniors wish list items (funded through the Apple Drop) and to deliver them. Volunteers are also needed beginning Nov. 1 at the main distribution center for Christmas for Seniors of Kern County in Bakersfield located at the East Hills Mall on far East end near Sara's. Call Sandy Morris in advance if you would like to volunteer (661)703-8893.

We are so fortunate and blessed to live in such a caring and compassionate community. If you have the heart for service and are interested in helping in our community, the Lions meet the first and third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m., at the Tehachapi Senior Center.