In early 2023, the Census Bureau and AmeriCorps reported that the number of volunteers in the United States dropped by almost 7 percent between September 2020 and 2021. Additionally, just over 23 percent of Americans formally volunteered with an organization during that same period — the lowest percentage since the early 2000s when data was first tracked.

Turlock and the surrounding area is home to several service clubs that are hoping that 2024 can bring more generosity between community members.

Local service groups include a pair of Rotary clubs, multiple Lions clubs, the Kiwanis of Greater Turlock, the Arrowhead Club and Advancing Children of Turlock. While they have different names, their missions are similar.

The mission of Kiwanis International is to improve the world “one child and once community at a time.” Meanwhile, Rotary International aims to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.”

Lions Club International’s mission is to “improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian service and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding.” The Arrowhead Club supports college, high school and youth group sports in the Greater Stanislaus area. As for Advancing Children of Turlock, perhaps the newest of the clubs, they are a social group committed to building opportunities for underprivileged children across the city.

Kiwanis of Greater Turlock President Mike Staack explained that each club is unique in their own way, but that all who volunteer in each club have the common goal of wanting to better the community.

“We work in our community to make it better together,” he said.

Look closely around the region, and the logos of each organization can be found anywhere to commemorate donations and projects, whether they are at schools, sports complexes or parks. They have each been in action for decades. 

Recently, the Turlock Lions Club made a $35,000 donation to Pitman High School to buy a new, electronic scoreboard for their football and soccer field. The group has collected old glasses to be recycled, hosted blood-drives, and has been a major supporter of Relay for Life. They also sponsor and volunteer at the Stanislaus County Fair’s Destruction Derby. 

One of the biggest annual projects hosted by the nearby Denair Lions Club is the eye-screening tests that they help bring to the Denair Unified School District, which also helps students get connected with optometrists. They also help cover the costs for glasses for students in need. Additionally, the Denair Lions host a blood-drive every year at the town’s Farm and Family Festival. Aside from health-related events, they host a pancake breakfast and golf tournament every year for families experiencing hardships. This past fall, funds went towards the family of Jaxon Shaneyfelt as he awaited a new kidney after being diagnosed with ​​juvenile nephronophthisis.

Members of the Kiwanis of Greater Turlock opened their wallets several times last year, with significant donations to Jessica’s House and Westside Ministries. The Kiwanians gave each non-profit $25,000 to support their facilities and children’s programs. Popular traditions from the club include taking children on shopping sprees, gifting pumpkins as the holidays approach and hosting coat drives. Providing shopping sprees for kids has also been a staple for Advancing Children of Turlock each winter.

Also making a donation to Jessica’s House last year was the Turlock Sunrise Rotary, who gave the grief support organization $2,000 for a shade structure to be built. They are also know to have donated school supplies to local children, supplied to Cal Fire and have collected jeans and coats for families in need.

The similar Rotary Club of Turlock has repaired playgrounds and cleaned up parks, even installing playground equipment. They have also donated towards repairs at the Turlock Gospel Mission, the building of a patio at the Carnegie Arts Center and the purchase of the Turlock High School football scoreboard.

Each of the clubs have donated generously to student-organizations at local schools, including sports teams, but none quite like the Arrowhead Club. Every December, the club hosts a night of giving for local athletics programs. 2023 was their biggest year ever, donating over $30,000 to more than 10 local sports programs or booster clubs.

“All clubs are excellent,” said former Rotary Club of Turlock president Dean Doerksen. He has been a member for 45 years.

“It’s important to give back for many reasons,” Staack said. “I do it because I can. There’s a lot of satisfaction in helping others be successful. I don’t consider it a handout, I think of it as a hand up.”

“You're doing good for the community, which has always been something that's been important to me. And camaraderie has also been important,” Doerksen added. “With the Rotary, I’ve built so many friendships.”

John Macedo, vice president of the Denair Lions Club, agreed, describing service clubs as “win-wins.”

“When our family moved from Modesto to Denair, I liked the small town community and wanted to get to know more people. I met a few guys, started going to Lions events, and just wanted to be a part of it. It's a lot of camaraderie,” he said. “Just getting out, it opens your eyes to see what kind of impacts you can make out there in helping others and bringing the community together.”

Each club is open to new members, even those who do not reside in towns where they are based. The easiest way to get involved is to show up, each club representative said.

·         The Kiwanis of Greater Turlock meets every Friday at 6:45 a.m. in the upstairs room of Latif’s by Pedretti.

·         The Turlock Sunrise Rotary also meets in the room at Latif’s, but at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays.

·         The Rotary Club of Turlock meets at noon on Tuesdays at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.

·         The Turlock Lions Club meets every first and third Thursday of every month at the Rube Boesch Center in Turlock.

·         The Denair Lions meet on the first and third Monday at 7 p.m. at the Denair Community Center.

·         For more information on the Arrowhead Club and Advancing Children of Turlock, contact each organization at ArrowheadClubTUR@gmail.com and ACTurlock@gmail.com.