By David Taylor / Managing Editor
The smell of simmering sauce and the hum of conversation filled the Parish Life Center at Crosby Brethren Church as the Crosby Evening Lions Club stepped into uncharted territory—hosting its very first fundraiser. Hopes were high, and for good reason. Just weeks earlier, the newly formed club had screened more than 125 children at the Children’s Christmas Festival, discovering that more than a fourth needed follow-up care with an optometrist.
That mission—helping children, particularly with eyeglasses and exams—was at the heart of the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Though advertised to run from 6 to 8 p.m., supporters began arriving shortly after 5 p.m., eager to purchase plates and desserts.
“We were actually ready,” said club president Deanna Becker. “And it wasn’t a big rush.”
At the stove, former high school teacher and Chef Vasso Espinosa led the charge, assisted by Lee Ann Lockwood, development director at Churches United In Caring. Together, they kept pasta and sauce moving steadily as volunteers assembled plates and welcomed guests.
The effort quickly became a multi-generational collaboration. Members of the Leos Club at Crosby High School—working two shifts of about a half dozen students each—ran a well-organized plate assembly line. They carried out large orders, helped with setup and cleanup, and filled in wherever help was needed. Other Lions volunteers tended a dessert table filled with sweet treats.
By 6 p.m., a steady crowd had flooded the Parish Life Center on Church Street, prompting organizers to bring out additional tables for those choosing to dine in-house. The room buzzed with conversation as friends and neighbors shared food and fellowship.
For Roberto Cruz, Leo sponsor at Crosby High School, the night was a point of pride.
“They ran a very tight ship assembly line style, helping us put together the plates, and helping transport food out,” Cruz said. “I was proud to see them assisting in the cleanup, stacking up chairs and tables, and filling in with other tasks.”
As the parking lot filled, student drivers even moved Lions Club vehicles across the street to make room for more customers—a small gesture that reflected the teamwork unfolding throughout the evening.
Lockwood, who manages many of the same students through their volunteer work at Churches United In Caring, was impressed.
“The Leos were very respectful and very attentive. They were amazing help in that kitchen,” she said.
Throughout the night, Espinosa coached the students as they prepared plates, turning the fundraiser into a hands-on learning experience as well as a service project.
The following Monday, the Lions devoted their entire regular meeting to a debrief—reviewing what worked well and what could be improved.
“Overall, I think it went really well,” Becker said. “For our first go at it, it really ran very smooth.”
Feedback from the public echoed that sentiment. Many attendees commented on how much they enjoyed both the food and the fellowship, often lingering to visit with friends.
“There wasn’t a lot of details we missed,” Becker said.
Even the food estimates proved nearly perfect.
“We had only one pan of spaghetti left with some salad, and garlic knot rolls which we donated to the Crosby Volunteer Fire Department,” she said.
The experience also provided valuable lessons for the future. For the next fundraiser—date yet to be set—the club plans to move the serving time up to 5 p.m. to better accommodate those stopping by on their way home from work.
“I think our last customer was just after 7 so we’ll modify our closing time too,” Becker said.
In addition to dinner sales, the club raised extra funds through private donations. By the end of the night, more than 125 tickets had been sold, with close to $2,000 raised overall.
“We want to say thank you to everyone who came out and ate with us or bought pre-sale tickets,” Becker said.
With a successful first fundraiser behind them, the Crosby Evening Lions Club continues to invite the community to join in its mission of service. The club meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall at Crosby Brethren Church, 5202 First Street. Meetings typically last about an hour—but, as this first fundraiser showed, the impact of those gatherings can extend far beyond the meeting room.
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