By CALEB FOX
Staff Reporter
Two tempting main courses will be served up together on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, as the Oakdale Sunrise Rotary presents its annual Lobsteerfest. The evening includes a lobster tail and steak dinner, a live auction, a live DJ, and an open bar. Tickets for the event start at $135 for an individual ticket and $1,040 for a table of eight.
Oakdale Sunrise Rotary has been providing events like this since its inception in 2002, a small club that works hard to contribute to the community.
Globally, said Oakdale Sunrise Rotary President Diana Garcia, “Rotary itself has been around for over 100 years and has over 1.4 million Rotarians.”
Oakdale Sunrise Rotary is “a small by mighty club,” Garcia added, with only 15 active members. However, she said the members keep one foot in with the community and “are always seeking volunteer opportunities where they can jump in and help for the greater cause of our community.”
The club follows the Rotary guidelines, and when deciding what events to host and where to lead Oakdale Sunrise Rotary, Garcia explained that there are four questions always asked: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Through the Lobsteerfest proceeds, the Oakdale Sunrise Rotary helps support other resource-providing organizations in the community.
The Lobsteerfest “has been able to fully fund and sustain the Drive to Survive Program at Oakdale High School for several years now,” Garcia said.
Beyond monetary means, Oakdale Sunrise Rotary also seeks to involve themselves in social events, community projects, and volunteering at parades.
“We have had the honor to help sponsor the following organizations: Love Oakdale, Oakdale Rescue Mission, East Stanislaus High School, Oak Valley Hospital, Family Support Network, Care2u Dental, Oakdale High School Sober Grad Night, Oakdale High School Senior Scholarships, Oakdale Charter School Interact Youth Club, Socktober, Team 209 for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and many more,” Garcia said.
The local Rotary club’s reach goes beyond the Central Valley by partnering with other Rotary Clubs to get involved with Hope Haven West, which provides and assists with fitting children to wheelchairs in South America, Central America, and Mexico. While the Lobsteerfest remains a staple of Oakdale community events, many other events are hosted by Oakdale Sunrise Rotary. Just this past week, Oakdale Sunrise Rotary co-hosted a block party for National Night Out with the Oakdale Police Department.
“Another one of our favorite events is Socktober,” Garcia said.
Socktober lasts throughout the month of October and is a sock collection event. With the help of local businesses, Oakdale Sunrise Rotary collects new socks for those in need. The last Socktober effort brought in over 2,800 pairs of socks that were distributed to the Oakdale Rescue Mission, Stanislaus County for the homeless, and to Love Stanislaus County for the Senior Care Kits for senior citizens in need.
For information about purchasing a ticket for the Aug. 24 Lobsteerfest, visit oakdalesunriserotary.org. To get involved with Oakdale Sunrise Rotary, contact socktober95361@gmail.com.
