Charlotte Earp admits she didn’t know ladies could join the Oxford Lions Club.
Now, she’s the club’s second female member.
Earp, of Oxford, was inducted as the Oxford Lions newest member during the club’s Jan. 20 meeting at Red Knapp’s American Grill. Lions District 11-A-2 Governor Ron Pappa installed Earp during his annual visit to the Oxford club.
A 1955 graduate of Oxford High School, Earp worked for Oxford Schools as a custodian for 22 years until her retirement three years ago.
After volunteering for the American Red Cross for a while, Earp decided to join the Lions at the suggestion of Club President Charlie Garrard.
‘I’ve always enjoyed (the Lions Club) because I see they do good things,? she said. I wanted to be in something where I could feel I was doing something, not just belonging.?
Earp said she was ‘surprised? to learn women could join because she ‘always thought the Lions were strictly men.? She later learned her niece, who lives in Minden City, Michigan, had been a Lion for 10 years.
Garrard said the addition of Earp gives the club two female members, the other being Pauline Morden.
Increasing overall membership is an important concern for the Oxford Lions these days.
The club currently has 26 members, ‘but we’ve had as many as 50,? Garrard said.
‘Our numbers have dwindled over the years,? he said. ‘We’ve had some people move to Florida. We’ve had some people pass away.?
In September 2003, the Oxford Lions lost J.C. Webster, a past president and member for more than 40 years. Last year club members Sam Craig and Ben MacGuire, one of the charter members, passed away within the same week.
‘We’re doing what we can to build our membership,? Garrard said.
For those who may not know it, the Oxford Lions do a lot of good locally.
The club’s annual Goodfellow Newspaper Sales in December help a number of local families, individuals and senior citizens in need.
Proceeds from last year’s sales enabled the club to spend $1,500 on new clothing and $900 on food to fill 25 Christmas baskets, which brightened the holidays of 43 local people, according to Garrard.
Thirty-four of those recipients were children, he noted.
Garrard explained the total value of the clothing was actually $3,000, but the Oxford Meijer gave the club a 50 percent discount. Toys for the Lions? Christmas baskets were collected and donated by Vaughn Custom Sports in Oxford.
But the Oxford Lions? generosity isn’t just limited to the holiday season.
The club raises money to buy economical, yet functional eyeware for disadvantaged people in the area.
Fellow Lion and optometrist Dr. Theodore Walton, of Drs. Walton & Becker Eyecare in Oxford, provides free eye exams and glasses at a reduced cost. ‘He gives us the best break he can,? Garrard said.
The Lions also have collection boxes at Oxford Bank’s branches in downtown Oxford and Oakland Township where people can donate used pairs of eyeglasses. These glasses are later fitted for impoverished people in foreign countries.
Oxford High School seniors benefit from scholarship money the local Lions give out each year. Last year, Garrard said the club awarded two $300 scholarships. ‘We always try to increase that,? he said.
Outside this area, the Oxford Lions financially contribute to Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, a special school that pairs blind (and blind and deaf) people with guide dogs, and the Lions Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer County, a special camp for visually and hearing impaired youth plus those with juvenile arthritis.
For more information about the Oxford Lions Club or how to join call Club President Charlie Garrard at (248) 628-1993. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of the month at Red Knapp’s American Grill.