A longstanding Alle-Kiski Valley charity fundraiser is making an in-person return after being sidelined by the pandemic.

The Tarentum Area Lions Club will host its Jack Marino Charity Dinner with the goal of raising money to help people in and out of the region.

Proceeds benefit the Allegheny Valley Association of Churches, Community Library of Allegheny Valley, Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation and Leader Dogs for the Blind, among others.

“This dinner impacts so many different individuals and groups, not only in our immediate community, but in our world as well,” said Jody Shumaker, club president.

The event is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Hill Crest Country Club in Lower Burrell and includes dinner and chance to win from a pool of more than $5,000 in prizes.

Only 199 tickets are sold. Fewer than 70 tickets remain, a sign of how popular the event is. With 130 tickets already sold, sales are approaching pre-pandemic numbers.

Curt Marino, son of the late Jack Marino for whom the event is named, said people were clamoring to have the dinner back in person after a four-year hiatus. Club members held virtual drawings since 2020 from Marino’s Tarentum jewelry shop, Seita’s, but it wasn’t the same as gathering in-person.

“I feel that traditions provide a sense of belonging and a connection to the past, to our roots, so to speak,” Shumaker said. “It’s my hope that we can re-create some of those memories and also add that feeling of stability in this ever-changing, crazy world that we live in.”

Marino added: “People are excited to come together in fellowship and maybe win some big money.”

Marino is a third-generation club member, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, John.

“There is a strong tradition of helping to give back,” Marino said. “We see the importance of continuing this event to hopefully have a positive impact.”

The charity dinner has been a community mainstay since the 1960s.

Shumaker, a retired Highlands teacher, said the Lions Club doles out donations each year to people in need of glasses and also awards a scholarship to graduating seniors at Highlands and St. Joseph high schools.

In recent years, the club initiated a Story Walk in Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park to boost literacy and physical activity in youngsters.

Aimed at preschool children ages 3 to 5, the trek through the park stops at various stations where Lions Club volunteers read aloud from a storybook.

Members also participate in the Winter Ready Rams coat drive, now in its fifth year hosted by Highlands.

This year, 190 coats, hoodies, gloves, hats and scarves were collected to distribute to needy district students.

Organizer Christina Faltot said the club’s efforts have made a difference.

“I am humbled by the spirit of this community, coming together to make sure our kids are warm,” she said. “It is a reminder that love and kindness can make a difference.”

John Pastorek, Allegheny-Kiski Health Foundation president, said the mission of both groups is similar — to help improve the health, wellness and quality of life for people who live or work in local communities.

“The Lions Club has long provided support to the foundation as an expression of their commitment to help local organizations serve the people in the Alle-Kiski Valley,” Pastorek said. “While they trust the foundation to use the donated funds where needed, they do like to help us fund programs like our free CPR/AED educational programs. Lions Club members are among the most charitable and giving members of the community.”

Marino said an air of excitement surrounds the dinner because of the limited number of tickets and the fact that the 200th ticket is raffled to an attendee.

“We give away a lot of cash prizes, with the grand prize of $2,500,” he said.

Shumaker said the function is a chance to relax and enjoy the season “in a beautifully decorated room, with a good meal together and share in a fun time as we ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ in excitement while numbers are being drawn.

“I believe that, when lockdowns and other restrictions were placed upon us, isolation and thriftiness became the norm. Having endured those months and years of isolation, people are yearning once again for the cultural experiences they had sacrificed during covid. Live events are now bringing back a much-needed sense of worth and joy and connection to communities worldwide.

“Ultimately, though, this event’s sole purpose is to reach out and to help others in the community.”

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