Sebastopol-Gravenstein Lions Club Meeting

The Sebastopol Gravenstein Lions changed their usual activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic but we have resumed in-person club meetings and various events and activities.  Shown below are past and current Club activities:

Gravenstein Lions continue to support the public and various partners  including Ceres Community Project, Redwood Empire Food Bank,  West County School Nurses (vision & hearing screening), Lions in Sight, Canine Companions, Sebastopol Area Senior Center, FOGS (Friends of Guerneville School) and more.

The Gravenstein Lions are a founding member of the Sebastopol Service & Action Coalition (SS&AC) consisting of Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary (Sebastopol and Sunrise), Soroptimist and other nonprofit organizations.  SS&AC sponsored Sebastopol Communty Needs Summits in 2021 and 2022.

The Gravenstein  Lions and friends staffed beer booths at the 2022 Chamber of Commerce's  Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopol, CA (the 2020 and 2021 Festivals were cancelled).  We participated in a delayed Chamber Parade in September 2021 and were on a SS&AC parade float in April 2022.

The club selected two $500 winners of Lions Scholarships at Laguna High School in 2020.  In 2021 and 2022 there were in-person graduation ceremonies. We were able to hand out a total of four $500 scholarships.

In the past, Lions worked with Scouts from Troop 27 (sponsored by the Gravenstein Lions) to build a split-rail fence around an old heritage oak and fence and mulch about 15 young oak saplings in Sonoma County Regional Ragle Park in Sebastopol. We worked on painting road intersection signs on Sonoma County's West County Trail.  In 2021 we began a 3 year Adopt-A-Road project with Sonoma County.  We started a program of HOP (Help Other People) Projects in 2021 and involved SS&AC members in the program in 2022.

The Gravenstein Lions' major fundraiser - Fireworks Sales - was banned by the City of Sebastopol in 2020 due to high fire danger.  The fireworks sales ban has been continued so the club is working with SS&AC members on other fundraisers to continmue our efforts to assist others in need.  The City of Sebastopol has provided a Community Benefit Grant to assist the club.

Since 2014 the Gravenstein Lions have donated almost $110,000 to over 25 organizations.

In 2021-2022 we virtually hosted District Governor Cindy Lemas-Gillespie on her Offiicial Visit.  In 2022-2023 we will welcome  District Governor Beverlee Block to an in-person Official Club Visit.

We look forward to the opportunity to serve the public in 2022-2023 and beyond in new and different ways!