District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Mike Tobin & PDG Lary Garrison – January 2026
District LCIF Co-Chair Mike Tobin
Happy New Year District 37 Lions! Throughout 2025, Lions and Leos around the district have continued to serve Montanans, improving their lives and our communities through your generosity. LCIF grants have empowered our clubs in this district to reduce hunger, restore vision, help communities recover, rebuild after disaster, and so much more.
Thanks to your dedication and support, we are making strong progress toward our fundraising goals this fiscal year. As we move forward in 2026, please keep inspiring others to support LCIF and explore grant opportunities to expand your Club’s impact on your community. Remember to invite new donors to make their gifts to LCIF in recognition of Melvin Jones’ 147th birthday. Every donation makes a difference to someone in need and helps us leave our mark on our communities.
Now is the time to schedule a new recurring LCIF donation. Schedule an online monthly donation of $10 or more or a recurring annual donation of at least $120 to qualify for new recognitions available at the end of the Lion year.
Your contributions to LCIF bring us all closer to success!
https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/donate
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
PDG Lary Garrison , 703 Conway St., Billings, MT 59105, 406-855-6997, [email protected]
By LCIF CoordinatorsLCIF Receives Prestigious Antonio Champalimaud Vision Award
From the November District Digest:
In September 2025, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) was honored with the António Champalimaud Vision Award, one of the world’s foremost recognitions in the fight against blindness and vision loss. LCIF shares the 2025 distinction with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and The Fred Hollows Foundation. Presented annually by the Champalimaud Foundation, the award celebrates outstanding contributions to global eye health, with a particular focus on underserved populations in developing regions. As part of the recognition, LCIF shares a monetary award of 1 million euros with fellow recipients. This honor is the largest award in the field and LCIF will use the funds to expand work in vision worldwide.
Honoring a Global Legacy
LCIF’s recognition underscores decades of impact made through its SightFirst program, which, for more than 30 years, empowered Lions, healthcare providers and community partners to combat the major causes of preventable blindness. Through SightFirst, millions worldwide gained access to essential eye care, transforming lives and communities.
“This award celebrates decades of dedication by our Lions, partners and the communities we serve”.
Since its launch in 1990, SightFirst has impacted the lives of more than 544 million people worldwide. With LCIF funding, Lions, alongside local health authorities, eye care professionals and partner organizations, expanded access to vital eye health services in underserved communities, overcoming barriers to access and delivering high-quality, equitable care. Projects also created sustainable systems by improving infrastructure and training local personnel, offering advanced education and rehabilitation for individuals with vision impairments and raising awareness of the importance of eye health.
LCIF Chairperson Fabrício Oliveira accepted the award in Lisbon, Portugal, on behalf of the foundation. “LCIF is deeply honored to be named a recipient of this award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in global eye health,” Oliveira said. “This award celebrates decades of dedication by our Lions, partners and the communities we serve, and honors the countless volunteer hours, impactful collaborations and millions of people whose sight has been restored or saved.”
A Call for Future Action for Vision-Related Service
Oliveira emphasized that LCIF, together with Lions and Leos around the world, remains committed to carrying the legacy of SightFirst forward through its Vision Grant program. “While this award is a tremendous honor, we see it as a call to action to expand our reach, innovate further and ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to quality eye care,” he said.
Learn more about our work or how you can get involved at lionsclubs.org/vision.
District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Mike Tobin & PDG Lary Garrison -October 2025
District LCIF Co-Chair Mike Tobin – October 2025
As humanitarians, we respond whenever and wherever the need arises. Grants from our global foundation enhance our service. I am proud to report that District 37 has one grant application in progress and another in the works. Both are matching grants to help their local food banks. Currently the LCIF Board of Trustees have approved 114 grants, totaling more than US$9.3 Million in this Lionistic year. What could you do for your community with that kind of money? All you have to do is find the need and apply.
This month we recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the way Lions, Leos and others, empowered by LCIF funding, raise awareness, promote early detection and support care. What do you think your community needs are towards this awareness? Just look – you might be surprised what you find. Then when you find the need, apply for the grant. The District can have up to seven grants at the same time.
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
PDG Lary Garrison , 703 Conway St., Billings, MT 59105, 406-855-6997, [email protected]
Dates to Remember – September 2025
SEPTEMBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
170 years of service by two clubs!
Culbertson 09/13/1946
Sunburst 09/13/1934
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 18, 2025 @ 9:00am Location to be Announced
District Cabinet Meeting – October 18, 2025 @ 11:00am Location to be Announced
2026 DISTRICT 37 CONVENTION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
APRIL 17-18, 2026, COLUMBIA FALLS, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2025 Atlantic City, NJ – September 18-20
Registration is open online at
https://members.lionsforum.org/event-5804241/Registration
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
By Lion Peggy TobinDates to Remember – August 2025
AUGUST CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
226 years of service! WOW!!
Baker 08/29/1946
Ennis 08/30/1948
Huntley Project 08/30/1954
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – August 2, 2025 @ 8:00am MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
District Cabinet Meeting – August 2 2025 @ 10:00am MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
2026 DISTRICT 37 CONVENTION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
APRIL 17-18, 2026, COLUMBIA FALLS, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2025 Atlantic City, NJ – September 18-20
Registration is open online at
https://members.lionsforum.org/event-5804241/Registration
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
Helen Keller’s “Knights of the Blind” Video
The video below is a wonderful reminder of how we came to be the “Knights of the Blind” a century ago and why it is so GREAT to be “LIONS THAT SERVE”!
Watch below or directly on Facebook:
By DG Corinna ChristensenDates to Remember – July 2025
JULY CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
68 years of service!
Billings Heights 07/23/1957
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – August 2, 2025 @ 8:00am MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
District Cabinet Meeting – August 2 2025 @ 10:00am MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
2026 DISTRICT 37 CONVENTION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
APRIL 17-18, 2026, COLUMBIA FALLS, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2025 Orlando, FL – July 13-17 (Updated)
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2025 Atlantic City, NJ – September 18-20
Registration is open online at
https://members.lionsforum.org/event-5804241/Registration
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
Dates to Remember – June 2025
JUNE CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
128 years of combined service!
Whitefish 06/01/2009
Winnett 06/05/1991
White Sulphur Springs 06/17/1985
Turner Hogeland 06/30/1985
District C2 LCIF Gala – Lethbridge West Lions
June 18, 2025 – Ticket’s can be purchased at montanalions.org/events/district-c2-lcif-gala-lethbridge-west-lions/?
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation August 2, 2025 @ 8:00am MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
District Cabinet Meeting August 2 2025 @ 10:00am MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2025 Orlando, FL – July 13-17 (Updated)
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2025 Atlantic City, NJ – September 18-20
Registration is open online at
https://members.lionsforum.org/event-5804241/Registration
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
Bozeman Area Lions Clubs Receive $125,000 LCIF Grant to benefit HRDC
BOZEMAN, Mont. — HRDC’s marketplace at the Community Commons is receiving help purchasing eight pieces of new equipment through a huge grant. The Lions Clubs International Foundation awarded three Bozeman area Lions Clubs a joint grant of more than $125,000. The new equipment will help gear up HRDC’s Gallatin Valley Food Bank and Fork and Spoon restaurant. Lions Club members are glad to provide necessary tools for the HRDC.
“What else can we do to help our community to make it more efficient and to save on food that was being thrown away because it couldn’t be stored properly or wasted, and that’s what it makes it so exciting,” said Jeff Cotterell, president of the Bozeman Lions Club.
“We saw a need here with the food bank to enhance their food storage capabilities, and Lions Club International, that’s what we do. We step up with our Lions Club Foundation,” said Brian Gertiser, District 37 governor elect for Lions Clubs International.
Organizers with the HRDC are grateful for the grant and are looking to put their new equipment to use as soon as possible.
Click the link below to view the news broadcast.
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