The Corvallis Lions Club, with over 35 years of service to the communities of Corvallis and Albany, Oregon, has established itself as a pivotal organization, not only through its various service projects and financial assistance programs but also by orchestrating events that bind the community and support noteworthy causes. The club, known for its annual See’s Candy sale and its dedication to various service projects, such as vision and health screenings, youth outreach, and disaster relief, also organizes events like the Albany Beer Run, which serve both as a community gathering and a fundraiser for specific causes.
Ryan Long, exploring the inaugural Albany Beer Run, shared insights and experiences from participants, stating, “Today I’m at the inaugural Albany Beer Run, all the way from Calapooia Brewery to Deluxe Brewing Company, almost a quarter of a mile.” The event, which spans almost a quarter of a mile from the Calapooia Brewery to the Deluxe Brewing Company, is not merely a run but a community event that brings together participants from various walks of life.
The Albany Beer Run, set to occur on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, is described as an event for the “below-average athlete and weekend warrior in all of us,” and it is dedicated to supporting **Canine Companions**. This organization provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and educational settings. The event, while light-hearted and community-oriented, serves a dual purpose of bringing people together and supporting a noble cause. A participant, reflecting on the event, mentioned, “I learned that our race director had pulled in dogs for a better life. So this is a new collaboration between Corvallis and Albany, that’s a new world we live in.”
The event, while seemingly casual and lighthearted, is not without its challenges, as participants navigate the 0.3K from one brewery to the next. One participant humorously noted the challenge, stating, “Well, it was a long way to the first donut stop; that was the hard part. I think that was about two-thirds of the way down, wasn’t it?” Another participant, reflecting on the length of the race, quipped, “It’s the longest one I’ve ever run, I understand it’s about three football fields.”
The Albany Beer Run, with its blend of community spirit, light competition, and a dedication to supporting worthwhile causes, encapsulates the ethos of the Corvallis Lions Club. The club, through its various initiatives, from health screenings to supporting organizations like Canine Companions, continues to weave a tapestry of service and community engagement in Corvallis and Albany, Oregon. The events and service projects, while diverse in nature, all converge on the club’s mission to strengthen and serve the community, providing a platform where service, community, and enjoyment harmoniously coexist.