Free Watermelon Adds Up to Sweet Profits for Lions

Bertha Miranda hunkered down Sunday afternoon with a large slice of ripe, dripping watermelon, a cool treat that both hit the spot and helped raise money for the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club.

Nearly 10 tons of watermelon was dished out free to hundreds of people this weekend at Sunland Park, as part of a fund-raiser sponsored by the service organization.

“We just came for the free watermelon,” said Miranda, 31, of Sunland. “It’s really good and juicy today.”

“It’s the middle of August, so everyone wants some ice-cold watermelon,” said Bill Petteplace, a member of the sponsoring Lions Club chapter and a district governor for the organization.

“It’s a perfect time to hold this event.”

Organizers hoped to raise $10,000, the same as last year, by the time the three-day event ended Sunday.

Although the melon was free, money was raised by selling other food and from games and rides.

Proceeds are to go toward charitable organizations and events sponsored by the Lions Club, Petteplace said.

In its early days, the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club held an annual fish fry as its primary fund-raiser. But nearly 40 years ago, one member attended a watermelon festival in Central California and brought the idea home with him, Petteplace said.

Along with eating watermelon, participants could take a spin on carnival rides, visit a petting zoo or put their children on the pony rides.

“We like to go to events that support the community,” said Ray Wheeler, 30, of Tujunga. “And the watermelon’s really sweet.”