Photo: “The Official Pancake Trailer Crew” Pancakes are just one way the Fraser River Valley Lions Club makes money to support our community. Photo by Jerry Nissen
The Fraser River Valley Lions Club recently announced the donation of more than $51,000 through their charitable giving arm, the Lions Club Foundation of Fraser Valley, Inc. to a range of deserving local organizations.
Unlike many non-profits, Lions Club raises the money it donates through the work of its members rather than relying on the generosity of local businesses and residents. Lions Club members raise money from their work managing and maintaining the local Forest Service campgrounds as gate judges at ski races, volunteering at the Winter Park Chamber’s events, from local merchants who advertise in their annual Brochure and more. Lions sell Christmas trees at their lot at Murdoch’s, run the annual Festival of Trees event, the 9Health Fair in Fraser, Lions Golf Tournament and of course they sell pancakes from their famous yellow trailer at many summer events. Community support of all these projects enable the Lions Club to give back so generously to the community.
The Fraser River Valley Lions Club also is one of Grand County’s largest providers of scholarships to local students from all over the county, with a current budget of $39,200 for 2020.
The organizations Lions Club chooses to support are chosen by the Lions Foundation Board from requests submitted by numerous local non-profits each spring. In addition to these gifts, the Lions Club also helps fund numerous Colorado Lions organizations including Kidsight for screening vision of young children, the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank and Lions Camp for kids.
This year’s list of local Lions Club funding recipients included the following, by category:
Arts & Culture
Grand Concerts
Grand County Blues Society
Peaks ‘n Pines Quilt Guild
Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater
Education
Eternal Hills Preschool
Grand Play Days Preschool
Little Sprouts Learning Center
Families & Children
Advocates
Habitat for Humanity
Horizons Special Services
Mountain Family Center
Northwest Colorado Health (Hospice and Home Health)
Northwest Colorado Rocky Mountain CASA
Shining Stars
Miscellaneous
American Legion Post 88
Grand County Historical Association
Grand County Pet Pals
Grand County Search & Rescue
Historic Fraser
KFFR Radio
Sports and Recreation
Bits & Spurs
Flying Heels Arena Association
Winter Park Horseman’s Association
To learn more about the Fraser River Valley Lions Club or to find out about becoming a member, visit their website at fraservalleylions.org.