2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Saturday Morning Speakers
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 morning began with the flag presentations, singing of the national anthems for Canada and the United States and a warm welcome from Helena’s mayor, Wilmot Collins.
Special Speakers included International Director Gary Rodifer; Vice Council Chair Christine Lank who provided a very entertaining history of women in Lions; Faith Johnson, former Miss Montana and MSU graduate who inspired everyone with her Helena Keller Presentation and Chantel Schieffer, founder of True North Leadership whose message focused on how to be better leaders.
By Lion Peggy Tobin2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Convention Election
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.
The Election of District officers for the 2025-2026 lionistic year were held Saturday morning. Each candidate had a representative who provided a nomination prior to the ballot election. The election process also included a presentation by the Columbia Falls Lions for their bid for the 2026 District 37 Convention.
We hope to see you all in Columbia Falls April 17-18, 2026!!
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Hall of Fame
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.
Induction into District 37’s Hall of Fame signifies a Lion’s noteworthy contributions to the ideals of Lionism through the Lions Club, District and community. This is not a longevity award. The 2025 Convention celebrated the induction of two such lions – PDG Richard Gessling and Lion David L. Falcon.
Past District Governor Richard Gessling was the first DG for Single District 37 from 2015 to 2016. He then served as a region chairperson and GMT Chairperson. Richard joined the Red Lodge Lions club in 1990 and served there until 2024 when he transferred to the Billings Lions club.
Lion David Falcon joined the Kalispell Sunrisers in 1989 and is currently serving as their club president, a position he has held multiple times as well as club First Vice President. He has served the district as a zone chair and also the Vision Chairperson. He is the go-to person for the Plus Optix program for the State of Montana.
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Parade of Green
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. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The Parade of Green allows all of the clubs to present their donations to the various endorsed projects supported by District 37.
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 ClubJoliet Lions Hold 5th Annual Fundraiser
On September 6th we had a beautiful day for the 5th Annual Car Show and Craft Fair fundraiser event. Thanks to all our sponsors, donors, vendors, and attendees! This year we had 57 cars entered in the show. Awards were given for People’s Choice (1956 Ford Crown Victoria), Participant’s Choice (1938 DeSoto), and one lucky Raffle prize winner.
The day’s events also included a Craft Fair with 27 vendors and a few Farmer’s Market vendors. Shandi’s Snack Shack and Gringo’s Montana were our food vendors this year. All the funds raised go towards our local projects including Park improvements, Scholarships and Youth programs, and community beautification projects.
By JolietLions2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Friday Evening Social
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. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The 2025 District Convention officially opened Friday evening with live music provided by Lion Jack Berry, President of Helena Lions (keyboard) and Lion Scott Cromwell, Director of Helena Lions (drums). Lion Jack introduced DG Raleigh Peck who welcomed over 100 lions and guests.
Todd Carmichael represented the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind and provided an update on what the school has accomplished since the last convention.
The evening also saw the beginning of the sale of 50/50 tickets by various convention Tail Twisters who worked throughout the weekend.
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Live Auction
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. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them via the “Submit Club News” option on the website.
The 2025 District Convention live auction was the final event Friday evening. Attending clubs provided some of the auction items and so did many local area businesses! We raised $5,175!! This brought the total revenue of both auctions (silent & live) to $9,015!! Proceeds were aplit evenly between Lions Club Int’l Foundation (LCIF) and and the Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundaiton (MLS&HF).
It was noteworthy that a chocolate cake donated by a local bakery raised funds not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! DGE Corinna Christensen purchased it the first time. Then two more quarters were auctioned off again!
SCAM ALERT!!
Lions beware! Many of us are starting to receive a “Domain Name Expiration Notice” from Domain Name Services. In fact, I belong to another non-profit organization and we just received the very same thing.
It looks totally official including a return envelope for checks. I have confirmed that this is indeed a scam so PLEASE THROW IT AWAY!!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Peggy Tobin
District 37
Secretary/Administrator
406-461-4206
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