With the forming of a new Lions Club chapter in Bradford City, members planned an event for Friday to greet the community.
The Bradford Community Pride Lions Club will host “100 Free Hot Dogs Day” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 3 in Veterans Square.
“We just want to say hello to Bradford, and we’re here to help,” said Deb Craft, club vice president.
She is hoping community members will stop down for a hot dog to learn more about the club.
“It’s one (free) hot dog per person,” she said, explaining the group will sell other hot dogs, along with water and pop, too. “All the money raised will go back into the community,” Craft said.
The club will take precautions such as wearing gloves and masks to keep visitors safe from the virus.
She noted that Save-A-Lot grocery store donated rolls and ice for the event.
“Come down on the third and say hello,” said Jim Craft, club president and husband of Deb Craft.
Randy Hollabaugh serves as second vice president.
The club meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Grace Lutheran Church, 79 Mechanic St.
The new club is separate from the Bradford Area Lions Club that runs the community center on Irving Lane in Bradford Township. Craft talked about the reason behind the forming of the new club.
“Bradford’s always had a Lions Club downtown,” she said, explaining the former downtown club merged with the Bradford Area Lions Club at a time when membership was down.
“We thought it was time to bring the Lions Club back into the city,” she said.
The new club was chartered on April 7 and already has 23 members and is growing. A Charter Night event will be held Aug. 2, with a Lions Club official coming from Chicago to swear in new members.
The service club wants to have a special focus on hunger and plans to partner with organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Destinations Bradford in that regard. The club already helps with the YWCA Bradford food pantry.
As far as other future activities, club members are interested in having a presence at Bradford’s events such as the annual car show, but participation depends on what events aren’t canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
“It’s what the virus will let us do,” she explained.
According to Craft, people of all ages can be Lions members; however, the club would have to start a Lions Cub program to include anyone under age 18. The Bradford Community Pride Lions Club does not have a Cub program, but they would consider starting one if enough children were interested.
While the club is centered in downtown Bradford, Craft said that people don’t have to live there to take part. In fact, one member who lives in Hanover joined the club because he travels to the local area to camp.
Anyone interested in the Bradford Community Pride Lions Club can reach the group on its Facebook page or by calling the Crafts at 362-6710.
