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Raise a glass for a good cause
Active 20-30 club pic
Phong Vongmalaithong, Megan Bernard, Melany Crews, Torry Brouillard- Bruce and Michael Camara work the Active 20-30 Club's margarita booth at the Stanislaus County Fair. - photo by CANDY PADILLA/The Journal

Buying a margarita from the Active 20-30 Club booth at the Stanislaus County Fair offers customers more than just a cold and delicious treat. The profits from the fair booth help the club give back to the community in a variety of ways, with their biggest project a Christmas shopping trip for underprivileged children.

The international service club is for men and women in their 20s and 30s — as the name implies —and its main philanthropic focus is children. While many are drawn to the club as a way to give back to the community, the social aspect is what keeps it fun.

"It's a great opportunity to meet like-minded people who give their time and energy to the underprivileged children in Turlock," said club president Megan Bernard.

For club vice president Jessica Irish, joining the Active 20-30 Club was a way to connect to a community she didn't know.

"When I moved to the area less than three years ago, I used the club as a way to get to know the community and meet new people," she said. "Staying involved and becoming more involved helps me see and learn the behind-the-scenes of how Turlock works."

Irish's favorite club activity is the Christmas shopping spree with the children.

"It's really eye-opening to see how bad off the kids are and what kind of situation these kids are living in. It's moving to be able to see their gratitude, from the kids as well as the parents," she said.

The club raises the funds for the shopping spree and other community donations through its two main events: the margarita fair booth and Wine & Screams, a wine tasting event held in October with a Halloween theme.

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. at 10 East in downtown Turlock the second Thursday of the month. For more information about the Active 20-30 Club, visit facebook.com/Turlock2030.