Be it pancakes, hot dogs, property clean-up projects, fence building or lining F Street with flags, the Oakdale Lions Club stays busy serving the community.
Now, the Lions are looking to the community to help support them through the inaugural Lions Eye Foundation Oktoberfest Concert.
Under the event leadership of Lion Dr. Tom Mihok, along with help from his wife Karen, the couple hopes to not only present a memorable evening, but also raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.
Oakdale Lions Club has partnered with Waterford Lions Club for this first-time event. The dinner and concert will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person which includes a tri-tip dinner featuring tri-tip, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, dinner roll and dessert.
Popular Stockton-based Valley Groove Band will also perform. The fundraising event will be hosted at 13800 Yosemite Blvd., Waterford.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the Family Vision Care office at 209-847-3051 or calling/texting 209-417-1980.
Recently appointed Lead Trustee for Lions District 4A1, Dr. Mihok shared it was mentioned that a fundraiser for the Lions Eye Foundation had never been hosted in his District.
The group decided partnering with the Waterford Club, as well as utilizing a members property for the venue, could prove to be a worthwhile combination.
Lions Eye Foundation of California and Nevada supports those in need of essential eye care, offering quality care to those who might not be able to afford it otherwise. Their services include helping those with cataracts, tropias, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and detachments, glaucoma, macular degeneration and more.
“It funds examinations and treatments for patients who are unable to pay for their eye care,” Dr. Mihok said of the foundation, noting that recipients are from all districts in Northern California and Nevada. “These are people who don’t have any insurance or have limited funding.”
Not only does the foundation aim to aid those in need within District 4A1, it’s also within close proximity to the area. The Lions Eye Foundation facility is located on Van Ness Street in San Francisco.
“They have the state-of-the-art equipment,” Mrs. Mihok said of the San Francisco facility, adding that in addition to providing free eye care, through the Lions Foundation recipients receive a free exam, free treatment, as well as hotel expenses covered.
“Most of the time it’s from patients who have gone to see their optometrist,” Dr. Mihok said of recipients. “We see a lot of patients that don’t have any money, or lack the insurance to cover their needs.”
Both, passionate about the importance of eye care and vision enhancing care, the Mihoks are hopeful that the first-time event will raise money for the foundation. All proceeds from Oktoberfest will go directly to the Lions Eye Foundation.
“It’s our first rodeo here, so we’re just making it fun,” Dr. Mihok said of the inaugural event, with anticipation of it becoming annual. “It’s going to be an outstanding event. There’s going to be a raffle and you buy your wine and beer tickets.”
“And good music,” Mrs. Mihok added, sharing the Valley Groove Band plays a variety of music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
While the night promises to be a lot of fun with food, drink, raffles and music, it’s the cause which the Mihok duo hope to help the most.
“There’s a real need for it,” Dr. Mihok said of the Lions Eye Foundation and a profession he’s given 50 years of his life to. “There are so many patients that go blind, without even knowing that there’s a facility that can help them. Blindness is not a fun thing to have.”
“What’s nice is they’re getting top of the line care. Best quality care that anyone can ever get,” Mrs. Mihok added.
“I just love the profession,” Dr. Mihok said.
For additional information on the Lions Eye Foundation, visit www.lionseyefoundation.com
