For 25 years the Gloucester City Lions Club, with help from the Gloucester City High School Leo Club, have been preparing delicious chicken dinners for residents, and the event runs like a well-oiled assembly line.
For five hours on Sunday, May 5, cars pulled in and out of the high school parking lot as hundreds of residents went into the cafeteria to pick up or eat in a meal consisting half a chicken, green beans, potato salad, a roll and dessert during the 25th annual Chicken BBQ Dinner.
Walking through the door, they are met with smiles and kind words from the ticket distributors Rick Ross, Jack Hughes, Arvin Skramstad and Harvey Garrison, while Lion Bowie Johnson sold silent auction tickets and Min Elders helped set up the baskets.
From there the hungry diners walked into the kitchen where Lions Larry Porter, Chuck Walmsley, Jamie Megee, Dayl Baile, John and Chris Garrity loaded up the plates or to-go containers with the steaming hot barbecued chicken, a vegetable and potato salad.
They greeted customers with tales of how they were all great chefs and were truly happy volunteering to help the club raise money for its sight projects, including free eye screenings for students in the Brooklawn and Gloucester City schools.
Further down the line distributing the rolls and the cupcakes were Leo Club members Kelley Lovern, Wyatt Grubb, Paul Mangine and Michael Kazmar, who were also happy to be lending a helping hand.
Residents who were eating their dinners in the cafeteria were pleasantly seated by Lion Matt Wojtkowiak and Leo Club members Sophia Fiorentino, Sariet Escobar and Jakob Spotts.
Those getting take out dinners gave their tickets to Sam Costagna, who was aided by Linda Baile. The entire process took about five minutes, as the Lions and Leos were so organized and efficient.
It was a successful fundraiser, and will help make sure students get their eyes checked regularly and even provide glasses if necessary. And it was well run.
