Helena Lions October News
Helena Lions Serving at Helena Food Share
Quarterly, the Helena Lions Club joins hands with Helena’s Food Share to help “build” boxes of food for the community! It’s fun and it’s great to serve! On Tuesday, October 13, Lions Lynn Voss, Byron Beley, Bruce Coen, Diane Gray, and Gene Hill participated.
Helena Lions Small Fry Football Win Championship
Congratulations to the Helena Lions Small Fry Football Team (5th Grade Division) for winning their championship game Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Nelson Stadium on the campus of Carroll College. The team is sponsored by the Helena Lions Club.
By Helena Lions ClubSunburst & Cut Bank Lions
Joining Forces for Plus Optix
September 16th & 23rd – The Sunburst Lions were in Shelby on the 16th to screen approximately 200 K-5 Elementary students. A week later, we were joined by 2nd VDG Gary Van Dyke to screen another 200 High School students.
October 6th & 14th – Sunburst headed to Cut Bank on the 6th to screen over 300 Cut Bank Junior High and High School students and completed the elementary screenings on the 14th.
This partnership has allowed us to screen students in all of Toole, Glacier and Pondera counties. We go to Conrad and Valier in the spring and in addition to the public schools we serve the Hutterite colony schools and preschools in all the areas WE SERVE.
By Sunburst Lions ClubDillon Lions News
Providing Vision Screening in Beaverhead County
The Dillon Lions have begun their annual vision screening for schools in Beaverhead County. Lion Members use the Plusoptix machine and began screening for Wisdom, Grant and Reichle Schools on September 14th. Screenings continued in Wise River on October 14th and will run through November for the other schools in the county. Photos below are from the screening on October 14th in Wise River.
By Dillon Lions ClubTwo Lights Montana Series -7 Facts – How American’s Independence Became Official
- January 14, 1784 – This is when U.S. independence became legally binding.
The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, but it wasn’t law until the U.S. Congress ratified it on January 14, 1784. - America existed in a legal “in-between” period for months.
From September 1783 to January 1784, the United States had declared independence but was not yet fully recognized under international law. - Britain officially called the U.S. “free and sovereign States.”
The treaty recognized the United States as independent states—plural—reflecting early federalism before the Constitution existed. - The U.S. gained massive territory overnight—on paper.
The treaty set U.S. borders all the way west to the Mississippi River, instantly doubling the nation’s claimed land. - Independence was secured before the Constitution existed.
The treaty was ratified under the Articles of Confederation, meaning the U.S. became a recognized nation before having a strong central government. - The men who negotiated independence were diplomats, not generals.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay negotiated the treaty—not military leaders. - This happened before America had a president.
The treaty was ratified five years before George Washington became president in 1789.
Join Lions across Montana in celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary through learning, civic participation, and community service. Plan or participate in a service project on October 24—Montana Makes a Difference Day—and share your efforts using #TwoLightsMT and #D37Lions.
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By Global Service TeamWinnett Lions News
Winnett Lions helped with the purchase of USA 250 banners that were placed above our Main Street hanging baskets. In addition to our annual highway cleanup, we are set up for our annual side by side fundraiser. We are still giving out memorial donations and doing ‘care baskets’ for our community folks in distress. Our Cancer Walk was a big success with the sale of 149 luminaries. Our proceeds totaled $3,900 that will be donated to Lewistown’s Cancer Center. Our two new members increased our membership to 18!
By Winnett Lions ClubOctober 2026 Newsletter
The publication of the district newsletter is at the beginning of the month, but articles are posted all during the month. A second email notification mid-way through the month will be sent if there are additional posts to share.
You can reply to this email to give us feedback.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
By Lion Peggy TobinFrom the Desk of Governor Jon Kimble – October 2026
DISTRICT 37 BULLETIN
District 37 Newsletter Update: Tracking Our Goals for a Stronger Montana
Dear Fellow Lions,
As we embark on another incredible year of service, District 37 has established five critical, actionable goals designed to expand our reach, fortify our existing clubs, and elevate our impact across the Big Sky State. True success requires dedication, persistent effort, and a collaborative spirit. We are off to a phenomenal start, but crossing the finish line requires all hands on deck!
Here is an update on our five primary district goals and the tangible progress we are making right now.
Our District 37 Goals & Progress Update
- Launching a New Club in Libby, MT
We have successfully wrapped up our community interest meetings in Libby and have already identified five passionate individuals ready to step up and form a local club! To formalize the next steps, an initial organizational meeting is scheduled for tonight, September 30, 2026.
- Planting Seeds for a New Club in Lewistown, MT
The groundwork in Lewistown is moving rapidly. Our teams have begun surveying local citizens to gauge community needs and have developed excellent local contacts. These new allies are eagerly stepping up to help us execute a massive Lions Club project: performing vital eye screenings across 5 local schools on October 4 and 5.
To maintain this incredible momentum, District 37 is hosting its annual Leadership Retreat in Lewistown on October 2 and 3, 2026. Following the retreat, executive staff will remain on the ground for a few days to continue building club formation interest.
- Assisting Hot Springs, MT with Recruitment & Retention
We are actively building out tailored support systems to aid the Hot Springs Lions Club in attracting fresh faces and keeping current members engaged. Strong clubs require stable foundations, and we are committed to providing them with the necessary tools and toolkits.
- Revitalizing the Bozeman Noontime Club
Our Past District Governor and Zone 13 Chairperson have formally agreed to step in, contact, and personally mentor the Bozeman Noontime Club. This targeted leadership support will directly focus on member recruitment and strengthening retention strategies.
- Increasing LCIF Contributions by 5% Year-Over-Year
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) does vital work globally, but its impact here at home is unmatched. District Executive Staff have been hitting the pavement making official club visits to spread a critical message: Montana Lions Clubs receive significantly more funding back from LCIF than our clubs collectively contribute. Boosting our district donations by 5% ensures that this powerful cycle of compounding local grants continues.
Direct Comparison: Expansion vs. Support Focus
To give you a bird’s-eye view of how our strategic focus is divided this quarter, take a look at our current balance between new club development and existing club reinforcement:
Strategic Focus | Target Community | Primary Immediate Action |
New Club Development | Libby, MT | Initial organizational meeting on September 30, 2026. |
New Club Development | Lewistown, MT | School eye screenings (Oct 4–5) and Leadership Training (Oct 2–3). |
Retention & Recruitment | Hot Springs, MT | Deploying regional marketing and engagement resources. |
Retention & Recruitment | Bozeman Noontime | Direct mentorship by the Past District Governor and Zone 13 Chair. |
Foundation Growth | District-Wide | Club visits demonstrating how LCIF heavily funds Montana projects. |
How You Can Help
These goals are specific and entirely achievable, but they cannot rest solely on the shoulders of your executive staff. We need the persistent effort of local Lions who understand that the people who know a community best are those who call it home.
If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and help with the Lewistown eye screenings, the Libby expansion, or local recruitment, please reach out directly to your Zone Chairperson or a member of the District 37 Governing Staff today! Let’s keep this great momentum going.
In Service,
Jon Kimble
District Governor,
Montana Lions District 37
559-352-1455
By DG Jon KimbleFrom the Desk of 1st VDG Gary Lewis & GST Lion Cheryl – October 2026
Hello Montana Lions, and greetings from your 1st VDG Lion Gary and District GST Lion Cheryl Lewis! With 1st VDG Training, travel and club visits, we’re on the move a lot!
We started this spring with a trip to Atlanta, Georgia for Mission 1.5 Training for me. DG Lion Jon Kimble and our District GET Lion Margaret Baylinson also attended, where we were reminded again of the importance of doing our part to grow membership in our area. Much learning and strategy involved in this project, which will culminate next year during my year as District Governor. It is definitely on my mind and in my sights to succeed, and Lion Cheryl and I will be looking at ways to implement the strategies learned in Atlanta. More to come on that.
Next, we headed out to Hot Springs, MT to see what can be done to generate interest in rejuvenating that club. Hot Springs is a unique area that has a lot to offer, along with a caring population that believes strongly in community service. For that reason, we are committed to doing everything we can to save this 86-year-old club! Several members from our home club of Seeley Lake went with us to recruit for new members. We enjoyed the farmers’ market, and picked up some delicious Dixon melons on the way home. If you haven’t tried them, it’s worth the trip to tiny Dixon, MT on Highway 200!
September was chock-full of travel, first to beautiful Memphis, Tennessee, to attend the USA/Canada Forum, another great opportunity for leadership learning and growth. With presentations on everything from “soup to nuts,” coupled with a chance to rub elbows with our past, current and future international leaders, we couldn’t help but come away with even more enthusiasm for Lions Club!
While in Memphis, we enjoyed visiting Graceland, the family home of Elvis “The King” Presley! The accompanying museums housing his cars, clothing, airplanes and other memorabilia were impressive. And, we found out he was a true philanthropist, donating thousands of dollars to his hometown, including the Memphis Lions Club!
A visit to Beale Street, the home of the blues, and partaking of some world-class barbecue completed a memorable visit to an iconic American city
Later in the month, Lion Cheryl was able to realize a lifelong (or at least as long as she’s been a Lion!) dream when we were privileged to visit the Leader Dog campus in Rochester Hills, Michigan! If you don’t already know, the folks at Leader Dog invite all incoming District Governors to their facility to see first-hand the amazing work they do for the blind and low-vison community.
At the campus, not only do they train and place leader dogs for their clients, but they take care of the “whole person” by offering other living with blindness skills, such as Orientation and Mobility training using a white cane.
Lion Cheryl and I, along with DG Jon Kimble and his wife Laura participated in three blindfolded events: White Cane navigation, walking with a Leader Dog, and Dining in the Dark! All of these activities made us realize how important it is to continue this important work and support the Leader Dog facility, and gave us a new level of respect for the blind and low-vision community who overcome extraordinary challenges every day. It was also very exciting to learn that new technology, such as the currently offered “Meta Glasses,” can provide even more valuable tools to help those with low vision.
Returning home, we immediately began our club visit circuit, attending meetings in Roundup, Big Timber and Winnett. Three down and 18 to go!! We are so encouraged by the dedicated Lions we meet with each visit!
Being a Lion has never held more excitement for us than here and now. We are deeply grateful for the opportunities for learning and growth as we travel to these various Lions Club events as a District Governor elect. It’s a great time to be a Lion!
Happy Trails – see you soon!
VDG Gary Lewis & GST Lion Cheryl
C:406-677-4072; [email protected]
PO Box 523, Seeley Lake MT 59868-0523
By 1VDG Gary LewisLeo Update – October 2026
The Need for Leos
Leos perform hard and essential work for our communities. From cleaning highway ditches, to supporting our elderly, to helping provide food for those who are hungry, Leos are making a difference. WE NEED MORE LEOS!
The Sidney Leos recently cleaned their two miles of highway, and this is no easy undertaking. Their stretch of highway is on the way to the dump, which makes their service especially important. Their hard work is a great example of how Leos step up to take care of their communities.
If You Missed the SD37 Convention…
If you missed our SD37 Convention in Columbia Falls, you missed something special!
The newly formed Fort Benton Leos sent two lovely young ladies to our convention. They made two wonderful presentations and performed the 50/50 drawings both days.
As Lions, we wanted them to take their share of the 50/50 proceeds back to help support their club. There was none of that! Instead, they gave $300 back to the district to support the growth of Leo Clubs throughout our district. Their generosity and commitment to other young people truly touched us.
Then came the moving part…
At the banquet, they announced that attending our convention meant giving up the opportunity to go on their senior trip. They chose to come to the Lions convention instead—and told us that they knew they had made the right decision. What an incredible example of service, commitment, and the spirit of Lionism! Be sure to see the attached article from their local newspaper. Their story deserves to be shared and celebrated.
Connecting Our SD37 Leos
I am working on a district-wide chat group for all the Leos of SD37. This will give our Leos a place to share their successes, ideas, projects, and experiences with one another.
Most Lions clubs do not have a designated Leo Advisor listed on the portal, so I don’t know who to reach out to in order to get this essential tool into the hands of our Leos. Please help me make this connection. If you are a Leo Advisor—or know who is working with your local Leo Club—please reach out so we can get your Leos connected. And if your Lions Club does not yet have a Leo Club, please reach out to us! We would love to help you get one started.
Our communities need Leos. Our Lions clubs need Leos. And, most importantly, young people need the opportunity to serve, lead, and make a difference.
WE NEED MORE LEOS!
PDG Raleigh G Peck
By Leos AdvisorClub Treasurers: File Your IRS 990-N e-Postcard
IRS 990 Annual Tax Filing Reminder
Please remember that all Lions clubs, districts and multiple districts with annual gross receipts less than US$50,000 that are not required to file Forms 990 or 990-EZ must file the e-Postcard (also known as the 990-N). Please be advised that this filing relates specifically to the 501(c)(4). If your Lions club, district or multiple-district has a foundation, which is a separate legal entity, the appropriate form will need to be filed as well.
Please review the Annual Tax Filing information below. Thank you!
Please note that Lions Clubs International is not authorized to provide guidance regarding your filing. For specific questions, please contact a local tax professional or the IRS.
Kindest regards, Legal Division, Lions Clubs International
By Lion Steve Dogiakos
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