Lions Club to revive annual cider sale

Kiwanis members at a past Cider Sale. This year’s fund-raising event on October 26 will remain at $5 per half gallon!

The Manchester Lions Club will carry on the former Kiwanis Club’s tradition of the annual Cider Sale, which will be held this year on October 26.

“With the demise of the Kiwanis of Manchester, at their request the Lions took over their Cider Sales fundraiser,” said Barry Allen, president of the Lions Club. “This is normally scheduled on the Saturday of a home game for Michigan football, which this year will fall on October 26th.”

Lions, Leos, Key Club and prior Kiwanians will be assisting in selling half gallon jugs of Manchester’s famous Alber apple cider at the corner of M52 and Main St, and at the corner of Main and Clinton St. A half gallon jug sells for $5. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale will go to service projects that support Manchester and Lions service activities.

“An interesting side note,” Allen added, “throughout the state of Michigan, various organizations have held fundraisers which would have them actually standing in the street as Kiwanis have done for years. At other times, firefighters would be out there to ‘fill a boot’.”

Some local police were concerned that this practice was in violation of state law and disallowed the practice. The case was then appealed to the Michigan Attorney General, who confirmed, despite the good intentions, that this was true.

“A coalition of Michigan Lions and Firefighters led an effort to provide an exception to this law, which allows charitable organizations to conduct fundraisers in this manner, provided they follow proper guidelines,” Allen continued. “An amendment to the law was passed that allows this activity with common sense guidelines: the fundraiser must be held during daylight hours, it must be done at a four-way stop, participants must wear a reflective vest, etc.” So, thanks to the efforts of Lions Club members and firefighters statewide, this tradition is now allowed to continue.

The apple cider is provided by Alber Orchard, who DONATES the cider and containers. The cider will be pressed with the assistance of volunteers from the various organizations, under the direction of Mike Bossory, on October 24th. You can’t get much fresher than that. Proceeds will be prorated to the Leo and Key Club members to support their projects in the Manchester schools.

So, don’t forget this important fund-raiser! The Lions Cider Sales will be held Saturday October 26th, both at the four-way stop at M 52 & Main, and the corner of the Post Office/Marathon (not in the street), from 9 am to about 1 pm, or until we run out.  $5 for half a gallon. ALL proceeds will benefit the Manchester community!

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.