2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Saturday Evening
This will be the last post in the series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT.
Saturday evening was the final event of the 2025 District 37 convention beginning with wonderful entertainment, a social hour, toasts and a delicious dinner.
The keynote address by International Director Robert “Ski” Marcinkowski focused on how to “Go Fishing” for new lions. This was followed by the induction new lion Chelsee Mahsman from Ennis.
The final event of the evening was the Governor’s award presentations.
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to District GLT/Diabetes Chair PDG Mike Collins, District Leo Chair Adrian Miller and District Treasurer Steve Dogiakos.
Presidential Leadership Medals were given to Havre Lion Jerry Kuhn and Zone Chair Margaret Baylinson of Columbia Falls.
The Presidential Medal was awarded to Shepherd Lion Carl Vender.
Darcie Jo Jurenka, member of the Helena Gold Rush Lions and Convention Tail Twister was the recipient of the Certificate of Tiggerism award.
By Lion Peggy Tobin
By District ConventionSunburst Lions Kick Off Christmas Season
On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Sunburst Lions Club kicked off the Christmas Season with the Annual Christmas Stroll. The Club had their annual raffle and sold MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Raffle tickets for the Red Honda. The event included hayrides and Christmas Carols were sung by all the students. Event Coordinators were Lions Sally and Whitney Aschim and Lion “Santa” (Willie Wilson) arrived right on time to pass out candy to all the kids.
On Saturday, December 14th the Sunburst Lions Club continued the Christmas Season with three of their Signature Club Activities.
They started the afternoon off with their Senior Christmas Party featuring yummy treats, bingo and lots of prizes. Rudolf came and shared lots of hugs and salt water taffy.
Following the senior party, folks gathered for the 2nd annual Christmas Tree Lighting event located between Northern Telephone and the library. Along with lighting last year’s tree and this year’s new tree, there was a fire pit, hot chocolate and apple cider for all of the participants. The weather even cooperated with a balmy, calm 35+ degrees.
The final event of the evening was the Light Parade which had Santa Clause coming to town!! The evening ended with fireworks!
By Sunburst Lions ClubBillings Lions Cook for Ronald McDonald House
Lions Sue Hanson and Richard Gessling of the Billings Lions Club, along with a friend prepared and cooked three meals for 30 people. The meals were frozen to be used when necessary by the staff. We got a tour of an apartment that was an example of the accommodations.
The Ronald McDonald House has added many new units over the years and now has close to twenty. Our club last year and this will be donating food and presents to the Ronald McDonald House at our Christmas Party.
By BillingsLions
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Saturday Afternoon
We are continuing our series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports, sharing the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT.
Saturday afternoon began with lunch, speed learning provided by our endorsed project vendors, and a Town Hall debate.
We were all inspired by BJ Blahnik and his Leader Dog Jackson. BJ’s life journey of walking into the dim following a diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and how his life was changed forever when he received his first Leader Dog was awesome!! Jackson is BJ’s fifth Leader Dog nicknamed Jackson 5.
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation awards were announced and the LCIF Co-chairs (Lary Garrison & Mike Tobin) were shaved – their “beard challange” raised over $1,500!!
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.
LCIF 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.
By LCIF Coordinators
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