Dear Friends & Supporters of Lodi Adopt-A-Child,

After 24 years of working for you, the citizens of Lodi, and 35 years of being a Police Officer I retired from public service several years ago. During that time I wanted to do more for the children and families I met in need of a helping hand. This is how the Christmas Program began. I saw families with children in need of a Christmas Dinner or even food for the table let alone a Christmas tree or gifts for the children to put beneath it. In 1989, while the Charter President of the Police Officers' Association of Lodi, I formed a small committee to give Christmas to 30 children other Officers and I found in need of a little help for Christmas that year.

In 1994 I expanded the vision of this Police Officers' Association Committee to include a shopping spree for about 50 children at Lodi Mervyn's. Each child received over $100 worth of much needed back to school clothing. As times and store policies changed, we changed stores but the thought was always to give children a choice in winter clothing for the coming months after school first begins and the privacy to choose for themselves with the aide of chaperones. This program may have moved from Mervyn's to Wal-Mart to K-Mart but we consistently strived to serve at least 100 to 200 children in need depending on the availability of funding each year since. This year, the Board of Directors has increased the amount spent on each child from $100.00 to $125.00 to ensure each child receives sufficient funding for adequate clothing.

Scouting has always been my second love after the programs of Lodi Adopt-A-Child and I always felt that Scouting could be helpful in stemming the swing our youth on the eastside seemed to be heading towards gangs and gang violence. Since I was a Patrol Dad for Troop 199, sponsored by St Paul Lutheran Church; and then became Scoutmaster for this Troop watching it grow from about 20 youth to over 60 before I left. I was chosen to be Scoutmaster of Troop 603, the 49er contingent attending the Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, before leaving Troop 199 to start Troop 291 in Woodbridge sponsored by the Elks Lodge there. In 2002 I helped to form two Girl Scout Units, one at Lawrence School and one at Heritage School as none existed on the Eastside of Lodi. I felt qualified to convince the Board of Directors to begin scouting units on the eastside sponsored by Lodi Adopt-A-Child, Inc. In 2004 Lodi Adopt-A-Child received a Charter from the Boy Scouts of America to begin the formation of Pack 63 and Troop 63 on the Eastside of Lodi as a gang alternative program. These two Scouting Programs now include about 25 youth meeting at 100 East Pine Street every Monday evening at 7:00PM.

As difficult as it is to say "Au revoir" (until we meet again), I know that I am leaving Lodi Adopt-A-Child in the capable hands of a truly dedicated volunteer Board of Directors and all of the hundreds of volunteers that really make up Lodi Adopt-A-Child. I have always been completely humbled by their dedication, hard work, determination and sacrifice to help give hope to an unknown child, even if for but a moment only. I wish to thank everyone for letting me be a part of such a great organization for so long a period.

After 40 years of public service I am moving into new chapters of my life. Although I am retiring from public service here in Lodi, I will be doing some service for the residents, both animal and human, within the confines of the Stanislaus National Forest where I currently reside.

After Christmas 2008, you may reach me at Dennis Lewis (delewis63@yahoo.com).

The greater Lodi Community has been such an important part of my life for so many years that I feel the need to remain connected in some fashion and the internet gives me that opportunity. I will forever be grateful for the support you have given me and Lodi Adopt-A-Child and I hope that you will continue your support of the efforts of so many volunteers of Lodi Adopt-A-Child in helping children in need of a helping hand and not a hand-out.

Sincerely and in service,

Dennis Lewis, Founder
14 July 2008