The Pena family sits at their picnic table during the inaugural Western Ranch House Barbeque, hosted by the Rio Linda Lion’s Club, at the Dry Creek Ranch House in Rio Linda on June 7. Photo courtesy of Seth Henderson

RIO LINDA, CA (MPG) - The Rio Linda Lion’s Club held its inaugural Western Ranch House Barbeque event to raise money for the community with more than 100 tickets sold on June 7 at the Dry Creek Ranch House.

The Dry Creek Ranch House is home to the Rio Linda/Elverta Historic Society, which began renting the space out in 2012 for weddings and parties, said Joyce Buckland, society treasurer and the last of the founders. Buckland said that the Lion’s Club helped the historic society secure their first lease, so the society wanted to be reciprocal by letting the Lion’s Club host its event at the ranch. 

“We’re trying to unite our nonprofits,” said Tony Shelton, the event’s master of ceremonies. “We’re all struggling individually, but united, we’re making it go. You have to put the olive branch out there to see if it’s accepted or snapped.”

Municipalities often seek out the help of nonprofit organizations such as the Rio Linda Lions Club, said First-Vice District Governor Mark Bamba of Lions International District 4-C5 and Past District Governor Tim Luckinbill of the Rio Linda Lion’s Club.

Luckinbill said that teachers, parents and unions reach out to them to help organize fundraising events, bringing in money to support programs for youth, such as athletics or music. 

The event’s live music, The Last Call Band, has played locally in the community for more than 25 years and been a friend of the Lion’s Club, so they were invited because they fit with the events country western theme, said Club President Tonya Haddix.

Bamba said that the Lions Club members are all volunteers, meaning they do not get paid and they have many projects that include addressing hunger, mental health and cancer throughout their communities.

Haddix said that the club provides scholarships for students of Rio Linda High School, Future Farmers of America and Head, Heart, Hands, Health (4-H) add-ons at the county fair.

Haddix said the club pays for eye care and funds its biggest project of the year, providing a full Christmas experience for families in need. Add-ons are funds donated to a youth in need on behalf of the club for agricultural needs, such as a junior livestock auction. 

Hayrides, live music and New York steaks are some features of the Rio Linda Lion’s Club Inaugural Western Ranch House Barbeque, an event to raise funds for multiple causes in the community on June 7 at the Dry Creek Ranch House in Rio Linda. Photo courtesy of Seth Henderson

Lion’s Club Second-Vice District Governor Gene Kypke is chairman of the Western Ranch House Barbecue and said he coordinated the event’s logistics, including props, personnel, the band and the ice. Kypke said he partnered with The Grotto, a newly-opened American fusion restaurant in Rio Linda, that donated ice to keep cold food cold.

Kypke said the night would be a success if everyone had a good time.

A memorial was displayed next to the band, paying tribute to Ralph Hants, a director at the historic society in charge of the agricultural workshop, Buckland said. She said Hants repaired tractors and other equipment on the property.

Hants would often help with seeding, harvesting and keeping the property grounds maintained, according to Buckland. She said that Hants suffered two strokes on May 21 before passing away on May 27 and “he will be dearly missed.”

According to the Rio Linda/Elverta Historic Society Facebook page, a celebration of life for Hants will be at the Dry Creek Ranch House at 10 a.m. July 19.

Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, representing District 4, attended the event after attending the Planehaven Park ribbon cutting in North Highlands.

Lion International, is a nonprofit organization with clubs in more than 200 countries and more than 1.4 million members worldwide, Bamba said.

Previously called Steak on the Lake, Haddix said, the previous fundraiser’s location was based out of a member’s house on the Bell Acqua Lake but pivoted after the member sold their house and moved away.

The Lion’s Club will partner with the Rio Linda/Elverta Country Faire for this year’s fireworks booth from June 28 to July 4 outside of Papa Murphy’s on Rio Linda Boulevard and M Street.