Great Falls Sunrise Lions Receive Northwestern Energy Award
Northwestern Energy joined the Great Falls Sunriser Lions Club for their annual fundraiser in September. Eleven NWE employees assisted with set up, serving food and cleaning up afterwards. The time and effort of those 11 employees resulted in an $1,100.00 donation to the club ($100 per employee who participated). This is a win – win for Great Falls Sunriser Lions – additional hands to help AND a donation for their community service!
Pictured from left to right:
Shawn Etzweiler, Community Relations Specialist from Northwestern Energy.
Lion Bob Stubbs, President
Lion Charley Hibl and Lion Mike Schmit current and former Northwestern employees.
NorthWestern Energy has an Employee Volunteer Program that encourages employees to volunteer by providing paid time off and granting funds to the organizations they serve. For individual volunteers, NorthWestern Energy can donate up to $400 per year to an organization, while teams of at least three employees can earn a $100 donation per employee.
Program highlights:
- Paid volunteer time:Employees are given paid time off to volunteer.
- Grant money for organizations:The company provides grant money to the nonprofits employees volunteer with.
- Individual volunteer grants:Employees can earn up to $400 annually for an organization they serve.
- Team volunteer grants:When at least three employees volunteer together for a special event, NorthWestern Energy donates $100 per employee to the organization.
- Employee choice:Employees can choose the charities they want to volunteer for and NorthWestern Energy will support those efforts.
By Lion Peggy TobinSeeley Lake Lions Receive Membership Satisfaction Award
Yay Seeley Lake Lions Club!!!
Seeley Lake Lions Club was the proud recipient of the Membership Satisfaction award from our International President Fabricio Oliveira. For our little town in Montana to be recognized in this fashion is truly an honor.
All of the members are part of this and the reason we continue to succeed in Seeley Lake. This award is not frequently given. We are hot!!
Once again because of our hard work and drive to sustain and increase our membership, we have been recognized by the International President for the great work we continue to do. I can’t stress enough the importance of continuing to get out the word about our club and getting new members in to help move us into the future. Remember, every little bit helps when it comes to the activities we perform in our town and that comes from you, the members. Thank you for all that you do!
By Seeley Lake Lions Club
EYEGLASS RECYCLING IN MONTANA
Here in Montana, Vision is one of the Causes that many of our local clubs participate in. We focus on collecting and providing eyeglasses and vision screening in schools and underserved communities throughout the state.
Collection spots can be found in many optometrist offices, as well as in various private businesses throughout the state. Click here to see current list of drop off locations.
We gratefully accept all types of eyeglasses, loose lenses, contact lenses, and hearing aids for recycling. To help our club volunteers who collect the glasses from various drop off locations in their area, we kindly ask that glasses be separated into five categories if possible:
- Single vision lenses
- Bifocals/trifocals
- Sunglasses
- Broken/damaged (still send us)
- High End/Speciality Glasses
(We understand progressives can be hard to distinguish from single vision — just do your best!)
Please do NOT include the following items in your donation as they cannot be used:
- Reader glasses
- Hard cases (soft cases can be reused in shipping)
If you prefer, you can mail your donation directly to the recycling center:
Northwest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (NWLERC)
9013 Mullen Rd SE
Olympia, WA 98513
If you write “Free Matter for the Blind” on the package, the post office MAY ship it at no cost (check with your local branch for details as it’s at their discretion).
Thank you again for helping give the gift of sight — your donations make a real difference.
By District ConventionBozeman Lions Fall Update
The Bozeman Gallatin Empire Lions Club’s Youth Football season continued with the skills and evaluation Day.
Lion Ryan Ballenger, Gallatin Empire Football Commissioner talks rules of the game, sportsman ship, teamwork & football players are good citizens.
The Sweet Pea Lions joined the Gallatin Empire Lions for the Manhattan Potato Festival parade.
Replacement banners were made for each side of the recycling trailer by Lions Sara & Jim Barutha’s grandsons.
Seeley Lake Lions – Having Fun!
Each year the Lions in Seeley Lake not only gather to have our General Monthly meeting, but October is especially fun as we don our costumes for Halloween – funniest, scariest and of course a Lion President!
Our Culinary Committee, headed by Lions Clay and Sharon Creek coordinated the meeting’s meal, and this one was prepared by Lions Sherry and John Fulton. A meal made of beef , lamb or chicken skewers was prepared as well as a salad and cheesecake for dessert. Yum!
We changed our format of the meeting and inducted three new members before going through our meeting agenda.
Then the fun began with a parade of the members in costume judged by other members to decide the winners of the contest. Mother Nature took First Place while Cleopatra and King Tut took Second place. The Cheerleader and The Graduate took third. The one thing I have to say is we have fun at ALL of our meetings and events, not just Halloween.
And we continue to bring in new members. Since June we have inducted at least 12 new members and more to come. Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!
District Treasurer – IRS Filing Reminder
If your Lions club’s fiscal year ended on June 30, 2025, it is now time to prepare and submit the appropriate IRS paperwork. The filing requirements depend on your club’s gross receipts and total assets. Clubs with annual gross receipts of less than $50,000 are only required to submit the Form 990-N, commonly called the e-Postcard. Clubs whose receipts are greater than $50,000 but remain below $200,000, and whose total assets are less than $500,000, have the option of filing either Form 990-EZ or Form 990. Any club with receipts of $200,000 or more, or assets of $500,000 or more, must file the full Form 990. If your club operates an affiliated foundation that is a separate legal entity, that foundation must also file its own IRS return.
By Lion Steve Dogiakos
District Marketing-Daily Facebook Posts-Mental Health Week of Service
From the District Governor’s Desk
Daily Facebook Posts for Mental Health Week of Service
Day 1 – Saturday, Oct 4
It’s here! Lions’ Mental Health & Well-Being Week of Service kicks off today! Let’s spread kindness and connection all week long. Today’s challenge: Call or text someone you haven’t spoken to in a while — just to say hello. #MontanaLions #LionsServe #MentalHealthMatters
Day 2 – Sunday, Oct 5
Self-care Sunday! Remember, caring for yourself is just as important as serving others. Take a walk, read a good book, or spend time outdoors. Share your favorite self-care activity in the comments! . #LionsCare #MentalWellness #MontanaLions
Day 3 – Monday, Oct 6
Kindness Monday! Write a thank-you note or leave a positive sticky note somewhere for someone to find. Little acts make a big difference. Clubs: Post photos of your members leaving kindness notes around town! #KindnessMatters #MontanaLions
Day 4 – Tuesday, Oct 7
Today, let’s support our youth! Encourage kindness in schools by starting a “Kindness Wall” or simply by telling a student you’re proud of them. Share photos if your club partners with schools this week! #FutureLions #MentalHealthAwareness
Day 5 – Wednesday, Oct 8
Today’s focus: Senior Outreach! Visit a nursing home, assisted living, or a senior neighbor. A smile and conversation can brighten someone’s whole week. Post a picture of your club visiting seniors or drop a heart if you reached out individually. #LionsServe #MontanaLions
Day 6 – Thursday, Oct 9
Wellness Thursday! Host or attend a wellness event — yoga, a nature walk, or a healthy cooking demo. Share what you’re doing for your body and mind today! #HealthyLions #MentalHealthWeek
Day 7 – Friday, Oct 10
World Mental Health Day
Today is a global reminder that mental health matters for all of us. Share one resource in your community that supports mental health — counseling, hotlines, or support groups.
#WorldMentalHealthDay #MontanaLions
Day 8 – Saturday, Oct 11
Service Saturday! Get your Lions club together for a group project — clean up a park, cook a meal, host a BBQ, or volunteer at a food bank. Post your club photos and tag #MontanaLions so we can celebrate your service! #WeServe #MentalHealthWeek
Day 9 – Sunday, Oct 12
Wrapping up our Week of Service! Let’s celebrate all the big and small ways we’ve spread kindness, wellness, and hope. Share your favorite highlight of the week below!
#MontanaLions #LionsServe #MentalHealthMatters
By DG Corinna ChristensenSeeley Lake Lions Respond – We Serve
One of Seeley Lake’s Residents, Mary Welch, was viciously attacked by a dog on July 27, 2025 near her home, leaving her hospitalized for a week. She required over 200 stitches and two surgeries with the possibility of a third coming up. She had power washed her house and was saving up to have a local carpenter build her a new porch, but the attack left her unable to do anything.
Lions John and Sherry Fulton sprang into action forming a special committee to get quotes on materials and enlist the help of other members and residents. A few weeks later, with some hard labor in the sun, nine Lions, two volunteers and 215 hours of time resulted in not only building the porch, but painting her house complete with trim! We then sent over a truckload of firewood for the upcoming winter season from our wood shed that we keep stocked for residents in need in Seeley Lake.
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