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]
By LCIF Coordinators
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 2025
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Statistics
Please find below the statistics from January 1, 2025 to September 26, 2025
- Applications Received: 34
- Assistance Provided: 19
- Total Cost of Assistance Provided: $25,308.72
- Applications Received From: Billings, Belgrade, Bozeman, Columbia Falls, Coram, Corvallis, East Missoula, Great Falls, Hamilton, Havre, Helena, Hot Springs, Kalispell, Livingston, Missoula, Sidney, Superior, Townsend, Trego and Whitefish
The Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation is looking to purchase an enclosed trailer to use to haul the current ATV the Foundation is set to raffle off as our yearly fundraiser. Specs for the trailer: 14′ of 16′ (prefered) long x 7′ tall. If you have a trailer to sell or know of anyone looking to sell a trailer, please have them reach out to PDG Dan Sturdevant at 406.439.9297.
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation
Plusoptix – Lion David Falcon – October 2025
District 37 PlusOptix Update
PlusOptix screening totals for school year September 2025 to June 2026:
3,963 screened with 541 refers.
Have a GREAT School Year!
Lion David Falcon, District 37 PlusOptix Chair
314 9th St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; C. 406-253-1726: [email protected]
By PlustOptix CoordinatorDistrict 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 Christensen
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report- Saturday’s Memorial Service
Over the next few months a series of convention reports will be published to share the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
On Saturday afternoon, the Memorial Service honoring those Lions who had passed since the last convention was held. As in past years, the program began with a video of the lions being honored. Following the video, each Lion was honored with a tribute of their service, a red rose given to a club representative, and the lighting of a candle as the bell was rung.
By Lion Peggy TobinSpecial Notices – October 2025
ALL CLUB SECRETARIES
IF YOU HAVE NOT ENTERED YOUR OFFICERS FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR, PLEASE CALL LION PEGGY TOBIN AT 406-461-4206 OR EMAIL HER AT [email protected] !!
YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIONS PORTAL UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RECTIFIED.
For Club Treasurers
PLEASE NOTE THAT LCI DUES WILL INCREASED JULY 1, 2025. THE INCREASE IS $2/YEAR ($1/6-MONTH BILLING CYCLE) FOR FULL MEMBERSHIPS. NOTE: New members are charged at a prorated amount depending on date joined.
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”.
- Club President: Trainer PDG Mike Tobin
- Club Secretary: Trainer Lion Peggy Tobin
- Club Treasurer: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
Short videos about how to do specific secretary or treasurer tasks:
Filing your 990-N (e-Postcard) (9 minutes)
With the release of the new LionPortal, we have added links to some of the short videos provided by LCI:
Newsletter Information
Any Lions club member can submit information associated with any type of Lions project or general club information. You can submit Club News ANYTIME! You are also welcome to email your news (hopefully with photo) to: Lion Peggy Tobin at [email protected].
Website Updates
The new “Tri-Fold Generator” is now available for clubs to create their own club brochures using a tri-fold format that your club can use to share your information to prospective new members. You will find it under Training/Resources on the website.
Free Club Websites!
The club-level website is still being offered by Montana District 37 at NO COST! If you don’t already have a domain name, Deanna can provide one for a cost of $20/year after the first year. If you are interested in getting a website for your club, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Dates to Remember – October 2025
OCTOBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
177 years of service!!!
Fort Benton 10/10/2005
Billings 10/20/1921
Joliet 10/22/1971
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – October 18, 2025 @ 9:00am The Kopper Kitchen, Kalispell MT
District Cabinet Meeting – October 18, 2025 @ 11:00am The Kopper Kitchen, Kalispell 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
2026 Memphis TN – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – To be announced
2029 Shreveport, LA – To be announced
Seeley 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.
By Seeley Lake Lions ClubCut Bank Lions Donate To National Honor Society
Cut Bank Lions have made a $500 to the National Honor Society at Cut Bank High School. These funds will be used to help buy books for the book vending machines located at HC Davis and Anna Jefferies Elementary schools. Students may purchase books using coin tokens obtained by acts of good behavior in classrooms and can keep the books as their own.
Our club is happy to support a positive reading experience for students as well as fostering good behavior and work ethic.
By Cut Bank Lions Club
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