The Club recognized the need for projects and for community service. Funds were limited. Fines in the early days were five and ten cents.
The first project was to volunteer to maintain a stretch along Electra Road at the Mokelumne River. They cleaned the area, built picnic tables and barbeque pits.
The need of residents to have access to hospital beds and wheelchairs prompted members to purchase these items to be loaned as needed. Record keeping was not very accurate and all of these eventually disappeared.
Other projects of the early years included bright colored vests for school guards, collected eyeglasses, held food sales to raise money, had a beer booth at the County Fair, and built a booth for Jackson City also at the Fair.
Work was started on improving Detert Park, but members became more interested in the nearby ball field. Various individuals donated materials and equipment with Lions Club members joining the Rotarians to complete the project.
During 1957 the idea was formed of using the money from fines for a fund to be used for loans to students. It took many fines before there was enough money to make the first loan of $500.00 in 1975. This fund has been continued with over 70 loans awarded since then.
The Vista Point on Highway 49 was a major project providing a resting place for travelers. The original site was started in 1968 with concrete picnic table added in recent years. There is a lookout area and a flagpole dedicated to veterans of all wars. The club maintains the area and meets there several times a year.
1976 found the club limping along without a major project and interest was lagging. Several members wanted a project that would bring in money instead of fines and dues supporting everything.
The Amador County Fair provided the spot with the suggestion of a wine booth. After great effort, the booth was built. Donations of materials kept the cost minimal. It has been renovated five times since the first building was completed.
The Club has purchased three vans that were donated to the Amador Cancer Society to be used to transport patients to Sacramento and Stockton for chemotherapy and radiation treatment…..purchased jaws of life for emergency use…..provided money to furnish a room at the Senior Center……bought lights for Barnett field….and has contributed to many other projects.
The Mother’s Day Brunch, a Bowl-a-thon, and a Destruction Derby at the County Fair are the major fund raising projects held each year.
