Event raises $3,000 for Westfield H.S. scholarships
By JEFF LARRISON
Westfield Lions Club
After not holding a fish fry in 2023, the Westfield Lions Club brought back its annual fish fry on Sept. 6 and 7 at Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) – making this the 92nd fish fry since the club was founded in 1930. COVID caused the Club to miss one fish fry and renovation work at the Lions’ clubhouse and at CUMC forced them to cancel the 2023 event.
This year’s event went off smoothly with energized Lions, some great weather, and a lot of support from the community. Over the years the Lions’ fish fry has become just as much of a community gathering as it is a fundraiser. The customers rave about the quality of the fish – arguably the best fried fish in Hamilton County – and they enjoy getting a chance to see and talk to so many of their friends in the Westfield community.
Lions Mark Hallett, Linda Hallett, Jerry Kirby, and Steph Myers work the serving line. (Photo provided by Westfield Lions Club)
This year’s fish fry brought in approximately $3,000, which will be used to help fund the growing annual scholarship awards the Lions announce each spring. The past two years the Club has set records with awards totaling over $16,000 in 2022 and $16,500 in 2023.
The Westfield Lions want to thank their sponsors for this year’s event – BMO Bank and Sunbelt Rentals. Their support of the Lions helped make this fish fry the success that it was.
Photo provided by Westfield Lions Club
The Lions also want everyone to know what a great partner CUMC has been to the Lions Club this year, as well as over the past several years. While the Club was searching for a new clubhouse, CUMC allowed the Lions to hold their meetings at the church. And during the times that the Lions’ old clubhouse was unavailable due to the downtown redevelopment, CUMC let the Lions use the church for the past three fish fries.
Next year the Lions expect to be able to hold their fish fry at their new clubhouse, located at 1101 E. 169th St. The renovation work on the building should be completed in the next couple of months and will feature an expanded meeting room, conference room, ADA-accessible restrooms, and a full kitchen. The Club will hold an open house event once the project is completed so the public can see firsthand what Westfield’s Lions have done to make the building an attractive (and affordable) option for event rentals.
Photo provided by Westfield Lions Club