Julian Lions Try to Recover From Angel Fire
By Amber Ward

At about 1 p.m. on Sept. 16, the Angel Fire broke out, shutting down the Julian Lions Club's biggest fundraiser of the year.

Not only did the fire cancel the day's activities for the Bluegrass Festival, but the entire town of Julian was shut down, and visitors were asked to return home. Because of the fire, the club was unable to profit from the event, and lost a considerable amount of money.

Under contract, all performers were paid in advance and the club had already invested several thousands of dollars in order to host the event. In the history of Julian's Blugrass Festival, the cancellation was a first.

However, it's not the club that will suffer from the revenue loss, but Julian's youth.

Through its many fundraisers, the Lions Club is able to support the community in several ways. The Julian Lions Club is responsible for the Gift of Sight Program, where it provides eye exams and corrective lenses for students in the Julian community.

In addition, the club provides scholarships for local high school students who help the organization throughout the year. The group also sponsors the exchange student program between Julian and its sister city, Heiligenblut, Austria.

"One hundred percent of funds go towards programs. The club doesn't retain any of it," says Lions Club President Terry Cox, who adds that the group lost about $2,500 after the cancellation.

"The exchange program itself costs about $3,000, and it's really up in air whether or it not it is going to happen again next year," says Cox.

The Julian Lions Club will continue to host events to raise money for Julian youth. The club plans to host a breakfast in the spring and hopes that next year's Mayfest will help beef up the coffers.