For the first time, Bakersfield College has a campus Lions Club, one of the largest international organizations dedicated to community service.
Club president Gerard Loaiza said he wants to see more students and faculty get involved.
“Everyone knows where BC is,” he said. “We (the Lions Club) do a little bit of everything and it would be great if BC was known as a hub.”
Currently, the Lions Club on campus consists of 20 members, but Loaiza said that number may rise soon. The International Lions Club collects donated glasses and hearing aids and pays for surgeries for those who need it. It also trains seeing-eye dogs. There is a monthly magazine and newsletter, and members receive a charter pin.
Loaiza said the club also is social.
“I’ve met people in the club that I’ve learned from, who have helped me out,” he said. “It’s a brotherhood in a way. No matter where you’re at, a Lion is always a Lion.”
The club’s international mission statement is, “To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.” Club vice-president Paul Gutierrez said the club intends to become involved in many other services other than restoring eyesight and hearing.
“Our main focus is sight,” Gutierrez said, “but we intend to address and fulfill other community needs.”
The club’s adviser is BC history professor Dr. David Rosales, but much of itssupport comes from Bakersfield Lion members such as Joseph Giuffre. Giuffre, who was District 4-A2 Governor from 1998 to 1999, has been an active member in the East Bakersfield Lions Club for 30 years, and is nicknamed “Mr. Lion.” Loaiza described Giuffre as the club’s “guide” and said the club will have guest speakers like Giuffre and politicians to show members different views of the world and professions.
Giuffre told a story of an old man on the beach who sees another man throwing starfish back into the ocean because they will die without water. When the old man points out that there are thousands of starfish and miles of beach, the man replies, “But for that one starfish, I made a difference.” Giuffre said that same concept applies to the Lions Club.
“I always say success is leaving the world a little better after you’re gone. For that one person we helped, it makes so much of a difference.”
“It feels good to do good,” he said. “Truth is, you won’t be able to eliminate all unjust things in this world, that’s a fact, but for that one kid who got glasses, it made a difference to him. We’ll take it one step at a time.”
Those interested in joining can leave their name and telephone number in the club’s box in the Student Activities Office.