Havre Lions Club Historical Highlights
"A Lions Club is a group of community-minded individuals who pool their talents on behalf of local needs."
|
Year |
Project/Support |
Year |
Project/Support |
|
1930-31 |
· Funds raised for football field lights |
1931-32 |
· Transported injured boy from Browning to Havre and provided him with the proper medical attention |
|
1932-33 |
· Funds contributed towards maintaining American Legion Ice Skating rink to provide free skating for children on Saturdays and Sundays |
1933-34 |
· Raised funds for completion of chemistry laboratory at NMC · Hosted the District Convention |
|
1934-35 |
· Provided a “transient relief camp” at the city limits |
1935-36 |
· Sponsored two plays by the “Great Lakes Players” for the benefit of a city playground project · Donated to help construct bleachers and build fence around the athletic field · Contributed to Helena Lions Club for relief work in that city after the earthquake |
|
1936-37 |
· Staged a football game vs. another service club to raise funds for equipment for grade school football team |
1937-38 |
· Sponsored and old-fashioned social dance and joined other service clubs in observing Safety Week and Hospital Day |
|
1938-39 |
· Raised funds for Beaver Creek Playground Association · Arranged to supply a Boy Scout Troop with uniforms to attend the Medicine Hat, Alberta Boy Scout Jamboree in honor of a visit by King George and Queen Elizabeth of England |
1939-40 |
· Helped form the Country Roads Betterment Committee |
|
1940-41 |
· Financed 30 children to a summer camp |
1941-42 |
· Hosted the Zone Meeting · Sponsored a “farewell party” for draftees |
|
1942-43 |
· District Governor advised the Club to disband due to adverse conditions (the war, members in armed services) · 24 members at time of disbanding |
1952-53 |
· Havre Lions Club Re-Chartered · Lion Robert Graham proposed that the Lions have a Pronto Pup Booth at the Fair….Burt and Francine Jones Donated Franchise to Lions, when they moved to Glasgow. · Lion Norm Gorder listed as one of the original Lions Club Charter members (1952) and elected as Second Vice President |
|
1953-54 |
· Wives of Lions members assisted in sponsoring a Betty Crocker cake mix sale to raise proceeds for various youth activities |
1954-55 |
· Assisted in new park and recreation area behind Deaconess Hospital · Began selling brooms door to door · Received exclusive rights to sell pronto pups at the annual Hill County Fair |
|
1955-56 |
· Raised funds from Annual Light Bulb Sale and provided labor to build an official Little League Park, named “Lions Club Park” |
1956-57 |
· Purchased North Side Park and playground equipment |
|
1957-58 |
· Ordered new equipment for Lions Club Park Little League Field |
1958-59 |
· Donated money to: Hi-Line Bowling School, Hi-Line Choral Club, NMC Booster Club · Initiated “Man of the Month” award, recognizing Havre citizens for outstanding community service · Havre Lions Little League Park officially dedicated and presented to the City |
|
1959-60 |
· Joined Chinook Lions in statewide collection of eyeglasses to be sent to needy persons overseas · Completed building ten outdoor toilet-buildings at Beaver Creek Park. · Club meeting place burned, with loss of charter, gong, gavel, flags, dinner badges and song books. |
1960-61 |
· Donated eyeglasses for needy children at the Rocky Boy School · Established a revolving loan fund for students attending NMC valued at $500 |
|
1961-62 |
· Sponsored state AAU swim meet in Havre and financed local swim team · Sponsored ten softball and Little League teams |
1962-63 |
· Provided housing for swimmers and timers during swim events · Built park at fairgrounds and provided it with shade trees, toilets, and tables · Won the “Championship Plaque” for the Christmas bell ringers for 2nd straight year · Won Little Sullivan Award for sponsoring the most amateur sports programs in Havre |
|
1963-64 |
· Changed Light Bulb Sale night to Halloween · 125 members attended the 10th Anniversary Charter Night |
1964-65 |
· Planned House to House canvassing for used eye-glasses and placed receptacles in local businesses · Several members signed donation cards donating their eyes to the Eye Foundation of Billings |
|
1965-66 |
· 1,187 packages of light bulbs sold · Contributed to the blind school program held in Kalispell |
1966-67 |
· Community Auction held as fund-raising project |
|
1967-68 |
· Sponsored a lazy-eye clinic, 750 children screened, 50 sent to specialist · Furnished the first of several trophies to a member of the VFW rifle team earning Marksman honor · First Annual Snowmobile Races were held in the Bear Paws, with 55 trophies awarded and over 1,000 spectators |
1968-69 |
· Turned over the Lions Park at the Fairgrounds to Hill County Fair Board, with one Lions member serving on the board · Participated in golf tournament vs. other service clubs, donating proceeds to the Salvation Army · Lions Club paper weights given as thank-you to speakers/programs at meetings · New members included: Lion Gerald Bekker |
|
1969-70 |
· Optimist Club challenged Lions to a swim meet to help raise funds for Christmas gifts for needy children. Over $2,000 was raised · New Pronto Pup concession stand was built at the fairgrounds · Boxing Equipment Purchased for the program at Rocky Boy · Havre Lion Robert Roush elected District 37-C Governor |
1970-71 |
· Lions Club overnight trailer park officially named: Carl Helmbrecht Lions Park · Hosted the 1971 Mid-Winter Conference |
|
1971-72 |
· Sponsored the Utah Symphony Orchestra · Purchased P.A. system for the Pronto Pup booth · Competed vs. Kiwanis in a Donkey Basketball Game |
1972-73 |
· Hosted dinner for Havre Chamber of Commerce · Accepted Challenge from Havre Optimist Club for attendance at Blue Pony and NMC basketball games, and won said challenge |
|
1973-74 |
· Installed new fence and dugouts at Lions Little League Park · Helped purchase 80 warm-up jackets for Lions Swim Team · Wood cutting project initiated to cut and sell wood. |
1974-75 |
· Initiated and led a community fund drive for a civic swimming pool by pledging $10,000 towards the $77,000 project. · Furnished new chairs for Hill County Council on Aging |
|
1975-76 |
· Paid to have an underground sprinkler installed at Lions Little League Park · The Downtowner Restaurant and the Lions meeting place burned down, and the Lions moved their meetings to Bob’s House of Ribs · New members include: Gregg Carlson |
1976-77 |
· Pronto Pup Booth restored and expanded · Steak Fry at the Hensley, Helmbrecht, and Spangelo cabins · New members include: Jim Ward · The Lions meeting place burned for the 5th time, and all Club materials were lost |
|
1977-78 |
· Helped finance the initiation of a pre-competitive swim program · Three Lions answered phones for the Montana Easter Seal Telethon · Received the “Gold Award” from the United Way of Havre for outstanding service to the community · Provided a tour of Beaver Creek Park for 33 Senior Citizens. Entertained with coffee and accordion music by Lion Ernie Hoffman for “World Lions Service Day.” · “Bekker’s Beat” club newsletter entered in International Bulletin Competition for District 37-C |
1978-79 |
· Distributed 340 Flags and pamphlets to area first-graders · Donated Pronto Pup Flour to Eagles Club Christmas Party for children · 27 Swim Team members and Lion volunteers picked up a 10-mile stretch of highway towards Beaver Creek Park. Lions then matched the amount the swim team received in returned bottles and cans. · Donated portable bleachers to city swimming pool. · Helped purchase new van for Lutheran Home · Joint activities with clubs from Redcliff, Alberta, Chester, Harlem, and Chinook · 24 new members brought membership to 90 total members |
|
1979-80 |
· Sponsored newly formed soccer team · 12 crews of Lions prepared pre-mix, backfill material and planted trees around town for Havre’s first “Tidy Town” Campaign. · Initiated the Leader Dog Project conducted throughout Zone 3-A of District 37-C. · Four Lions challenged other service clubs of Havre to a relay swim race to support the Havre Lions Swim Team · Over 120 Lions, wives and guests attended the Annual Steak Fry |
1980-81 |
· Final $1,000 dollar payment made to city swimming pool fund, which satisfies $10,000 pledge made by club. · Purchased video tape machine for Lions Swim Team · “Birthday Drink” served as novelty idea to increase attendance at meetings. · Recognized as “Outstanding Lions Club” in district 37C. The club was chosen from 41 other clubs in the district. · Lions Gregg Carlson and Bill Smith coordinated efforts to develop plans for a Lions Camp Site at Beaver Creek · New Lions included: Roger Meredith, Robert Johnke, and Leonard Deppmeier. |
|
1981-82 |
· Provided new pool cover for city pool · Won the Salvation Army Bell Ringing contest for collecting largest amount of money of any of Havre’s service clubs. · Hosted District 37-C Convention · First “Father-Son” and “Father-Daughter” banquets held · New members included: Robert Jestrab |
2015-2016 |
Lion President Jerad Gillen Secretary: Lion Doug Larson Treasurer: Lion Steve Jamruszka Bought Optics Eye Tester and began testing student eyes up and down the high-line. 2011 - 2012 President Vicke Schend, 1st VP Wayne Bolken, Secretary Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve Jamruszka 2012 - 2013 President Wayne Bolken, 1st VP Darin Miller, Secretary Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve Jamruszka June of 2013 Pavillion on west side of Creek Flooded. |
| 2016-17 |
2010 - 2011 President Doug Hollingshead 1st VP Vicke Schend, Secretary Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve Jamruszka
2014 - 2015 President Norton Pease, 1st VP Jerad Gillen Secretary Doug Larson Treasurer Steve Jamruszka 2015 2016 President Jerad Gillen, 1st VP Craig Tilleman, Secretary Doug Larson Treasurer Steve Jamruszka 2016 -2017 President Craig Tilleman Secretary Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve Jamruszka. Melvin Jones Fellows: Doug Larson, Ray Toth, Steve Jamruszka. Salvation Army bell rininging raised $1254.43 and matched it. Donated $500 to IGA for groceries for needy. Began work on Campground after FEMA released and approve new pavilion. Worked 16th annual Pheasant Jamboree, cooking breakfast and shrimp for dinner Lion Jerry Kuhn headed up Kids bingo night with heads and tails. 20 kids attended 2/16/17
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Lions International Historical Tidbits:
- Initially, there was some opposition to naming the organization "Lions." A young Denver attorney named Halsted Ritter convinced people of the worthiness of the name by stating:
- "The name Lions, represents the king of beasts and all the qualities the members (are) to extol; It stands not only for fraternity, good fellowship, strength of character and purpose, but above all, in it's combinations of letters, LIONS shows the true meaning and basis of American citizenship....Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation's Safety."
- In 1932, Lions International honored Melvin Jones as originator of the Lions club and set aside his birtdate, January 13, as "Founder's Day."
- Lions International was the world's first organization to reach one million members
- The first Lions convention was held in 1917
2017-2018
President Holly Haas, 1st vp Jim Heavey, Secretary Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve Jamruszka, Melvin Jones Bill Woods
2018 - 2019
President Jim Heavey, 1st VP Jim Bennett, Secretary Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve Jamruszka
Melvin Jones Award Tom Allen. Projects: Fair, Steak Fry, Sponsored Bag Pipes for Havre Festival Days, Bell rining for Salvation army, raised $1800, donated $1500 matching
2019-2020
Lion President Jim Bennett, 1st VP Becky Toth, Treasurer Steve Mclain, Secretary Doug Larson.
Pronto Pup Booth: Raised $36,000. Festival Days Pronto Pup Sales, $3,600. September built Shed for Hill County Senior Citizens Center Northern Light AthleticScholarship Foundadion Pheasant Hunt cooked Saturday & Sunday breakfasts and cooked shrimp for Sunday Dinner. In September and October Havre Lions constructed a shed at Lion Tony Dolphay's shop. Scott Siedel (A One Towning) volunteered to deliver using his roll back tow truck for North Central Senior Center Lions Rang bells for Salvation Army Kettle Drive binging in $1,485.61 wich Lions matched with $1500.
February 13 and 14th 2020
Flags For First Graders
Lions Jerry Kuhn, Doug Larson, Terry Stoppa, Becky Toth, Ray Toth, Stacy Baldwin, Holly Haas, Jim Rowlatt talked to the first graders at Highland Park and St. Jude's Schools about US Flag and gave each one their own US Flag. 182 Flags
March 9th Havre Lions Doug Larson, Gregg Carlson, and Jim Heavey went to Hindsdale to test preschool children's eyes
March 10-14 Lions Steve Jamruszka, Doug Larson, Gregg Carlson, Roger Meredith, Wanda Meredith,, Bob Patera, tested eyes at Young Childs Check Ups at Methodist Church in Havre.
March 14, 2020
All nonesential activities in Montana cancelled because of COVID-19 Pandemic throughout the world and United States.
March 19, 2020 meeting canceled because of COVID-19 Pandemic
June 4, 2020 Officer installation: President Becky Toth, 1st VP Mark Rowlatt, 2nd Vp Scott Doney, 3rd Vp Jerry Kuhn, Secretary: Doug Larson, Treasurer Steve McLain. Melvin Jones Award: Jim Ward. New members initiation Amos McLain and Kaden Keto
September 19 -20 2020, First Lions Drive Through Pronto Pup / cheese fry sale at booth. Lion President Becky Toth planned and headed up sale. Net Profits over $18,500. Lion's donated $1,500 to the High School Group, Close Up, for their help with the sale.
November 24, 2020 Lions donated $1,000 to Havre Food Bank to receive matching funds from Town Pump.
February 2021
Havre Lions presented 160 United States Flags to first graders at Highland Park School along with another 20 at St. Jude's. Lions was not able to present the flags personally this year because of covid. Lions did have a video done by Lion Jerry Kuhn, which was used by some of the classes. The flag presentation is an ongoing yearly event, which Havre Lions has been doing since 1976. This Year LIons made the bases and branded them with a Lion's International brand along with Havre Lions Brand. Flag stands were made by Havre LIons with wood donated by Builders First Source. The Brand was made complementary by MSU Northern's metal class. The flags were donated by Walmart.
March 4, 2021 $779.94 donatio to North Central Senior Center for 6 Computer monitors for tax preparation.
March 12, 2021 Eye Test Chinook 30 Children - 2 referrals
March 24, 2021 Eye test Turner and Harlem - Turner 15 children 2 referrals 1 no test, Harlem 9 cchildren 7 referrals
March 26, 2021 Eye Test Big Sandy. 34 children tested with 4 referrals
March 29 2021 Hinsdale eye test. 8 children tested 2 failed
March 30 2021 Whitewater Eye Test 7 children 2 failed. Dodson Eye Test 3 children. 1 failed
March 31 Saco eye test 3 students all passed.
April 16 17 2021 17 Lions formed and poured 7yd slab in front of Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen
July 14-18 Great Northern Fair Pronto Pup and Cheese fry Sales. Great year 59k
August 12 2021 Lions cooked a meal for the MSUN Football team at Lions Camp Ground
August 14, 2021 Lions annual Steka fry.
October 12, 2021 Lions 21 year cooking at the 21 annual Legends Pheasant Hunt. Lions cooked Burritos Friday the 10 for Sunday (12) Breakfast and then cooked Shrimp for their Sunday Banquet.
November 25 2021 - Havre Lions donated $1,000 to Havre Food Bank expecting that Town Pump would match money. Donated $1,500 to Close Up Students of Havre High School to buy the necessary ingredients for their Tamale money making sale. Donated $1,000 to Havre Lions Swim Team toward an upgrade in their counsel for their touch pad computer system.
Decemmber 18, 2021 23 members Rang Bells for Salvation Red Kettle raising $1740
Januray 20, 2022 Lions donated $1500 to Salvation Army.This wsas the pledged amout to be matched for teh December 18 bell rininging.
March 2022
April - eye testing Hindsdale to Big Sandy - Chester 187 tested - 13 referrals - 10 imcompletes. Total miles Driven 1182
May 2022
Lions Assembled ADA Ramp at Clack Museum
Several Lions were at Lions' Campground in Beaver Creek Park with excavator moving rock and debries deposited by spring flood.
June 2022
Installation of officers: President - Scott Doney,VP's Jerry Kuhn, Dan Korb, Russell Stinnett, Secretary - Doug Larson, Treasurer Wanda Meredith
Lions Campground flooded again, no damage to gazebo, but washed out soil and deposited rocks
June 4 Lions maned water table for Bear Paw Marathon
July 4, 2022 Lions Cooked 700 Hambergers and Hot Dogs for Pepin Park 4th of July Celebration.
July 13 to 17 2022 Lions had another successful Fair, cooking Pronto Pups, Fries(cheese) and drinks. Pups $4, Fries $4, Cheese Fries $5 and drinks $1. 1100 pounds of hot dogs and 167 cases of fries 5000 pounds of fries.
8/6/22 Lions cooked for MSUN Hooops for A Cause 3 on 3 basketball fourney. Donate $900 of Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. Cooked for 488 participants and their families. MSUN raies $15000 for the event. Two atheletes from Northern's NAIA conference with cancer each recieved $6000 to help in their treatment.
8/6/22 Several Lions were at Lions Campground and spread dirt around to level after spring flood.
8/30/22 Havre Lions donated $900 toward the food for Havre's Police Protection National Night Out
9/17/22 Havre Lions had Lions in Late Lion Cam Worstel's Lincoln again for the Festival Days Parade. They hande out $500 in candy to those watching the parade.
Havre Lions patipated in The Fall Festival days which began in falll of 1980. Lions cooked Pronto Pups at Rock Lotto with a successful sale.
9/18/22 Havre Lions Cooked Pronto Pups for the First Annual Feed the Beast .6KM run to raise money for MSUN student Pantry. There were 3 stops along the way for Candy, Doughnuts and Juice/ At the end of the race there was Pronto Pups and Beer for the pariciapants.
10/9/22 Havre Lions again cooked for breakfast and Shrimp dinner for 22nd annujal Northen Lights Athletic Scholsrship Foundation Legneds (Past National Athletic Stars)Pheasant Hunt
10/13/22 Lions Doug Larson, Ron Maynard and Ray Toth cooked over 400 hamburgers for MSU Northerns Techno Exposition. Where around 245 students form High Schools around Montana came to tour MSUN.
November 2022
11/13//22 Lions worked on burming creek to prevent floods and spread dirt for grass and filled washout by lower gazebo.
11/17/22 Voted to donate $750 to food bank and $750 to IGA Christmas dinners
February 16, 2023 Lions cut, sanded and drilled flag bases for 1st grade flags for Presidents day. 137 were handed out to first graders at Highland Park and St. Judes
March 2023
Vision Screening: Havre 3-14 to 3-16. Saco Hinsdale 3-27 10 tested 0 referrals, Chinook 27 tested 3 referrals, Turner 12 tested 1 referral, Harlem 6 tested 1 referral, Big Sandy 33 tested 1 referral
April 2023
2023-2024 Elected all Lions:
President: Jerry Kuhn 1st VP Dan Korb 2nd VP Russel Stinnett 3rd VP Max Vogel
Treasurer: Wanda Meredith Secretary: Doug Larson
Director: 1yr hold over: Roger Meredith Gary Stremcha Ray Toth
Director, 2yr. Ron Maynard Amos Mclain Mark Rowlatt
Lion Tamer: Cory Labrie Ray Toth
Tail Twister: Tony Dolphay Bob Patera
Membership Team: Jim Bennett Chair, Mark Rowlatt, and Scott Doney
May 2023
Havre Lions installed new bleachers at Lions Baseball Park
June 2023
Lions Begins installation of new fence to make regulation field.
September 2023
September 16 Lions donated $1500 to bring the Southern Alberta Pipe Band to particpate in the Festival Day Parade. Lions also sold Pronto Pups int town Square making around $4000
September 21 Lions donated $1500 to MAT to help support the Summer Childrens Play Workshop for 2024.
October 2023
October 8: Lions cooked shrimp for the 23 Northern Lights Athletic Scholarship Foundation Celeberty Pheasant Hunt
October 19 Lions formed for the last concrete pour at Lions' Baseball Field doing the 360 feet on the outfield. The Curved part of the fence. Lions poured 5 yards of concrete with 15 Lions helping participating.
November 20/2023 Lions donated $1500 to food bank
December 2023
12/2./23 Lions rang bells and advertised they would match funds raised up to $2000.for Salvation Army at North 40 and IGA. raising $1397. Havre Lions went beyond donations and donated $2000
1/23/24 After record setting cold spell Lions donated another $2000 to Salvation Army, who had put out a plee for donations, being their funds had been depleted helping people during the cold spell. (-40 Temps)
April 2024
Eye testing: 226 tested 12 referrals, 2 refusals, 11 towns tested driving 1092 miles 76 hr
4/18/24 First Annual Pint Night at Tripple Dog Brewery
4/19 - 4/21 Havre hosted Lions District 37 State Convention, headed up by Lions Jim Bennet & Scot Doney
Finished year long project at Lions' Baseball Field putting in new bleechers, replacing and moving chain-link fence to officail distance
New Officers elected: 2024-2025 President Dan Korb, 1st VP Russ Stinnett,, 2nd VP Max Vogel, 3rd VP Amos Mclain, Treasurer Jerry Kuhn, Secretary Doug Larson
2024 2025 Lions Year
July 11, 2024 Donation $1,010 to National NIght Out for Aug. 27. Purchase 3 concrete tables for East Pavillion at Lions Campground. $850 each
Great Northern Fair July 17 - 21 Prices: Cheese Fries $6, Fries $5, Pronto Pups $5
August 15, 2024
$2000 for bag pipers for festival days approved
MSU Northern Scholarships $2000 legacy, $1000 Continuing, $1000 Freshman approved.
Lions Donated $500 to Salvation Army for School Supplies for needy families
Lions Donated $2400 to Havre High School Close Up group for their participation and help at Lions Pronto Pup Booth at the Great Northern Fair.
Voted to donate $1,000 to Havre Police Protective Association for Kids Night Out
August 17, 2024 formed foundation for the Natalie Patrick Splash Park pump house
August 18, 2024 Lions poured 18 yards of concrete for the Natalie Patrick Splash Park Pump House foundation.
August 23, 2024 Lions Donated $2400 to Havre High School Close Up for their particpation and working at 2024 Great Northern Fair at Pronto Pup Booth
September 5, 2024
Donated $1000 to Havre Chaapter of NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Health Ilness)
September 21, 2024
Lions Cooked Pronto PuPs at Community Park celebrating 43 Annual Festival Days
October 9, 2024 Lions cooked breakfast burritos for the 24th Annual MSUN Legends Pheasant Hunt
October 13, 2024 Lions cooked Shrimp ofr the 24 Annual Legends Pheasant Hunt Sunday Awards Dinner
October 24, 2024 Lions framed up Natalie Patrick Splash Park Pump House
November 6, 2024 Lions Jim Rowlatt, Doug Larson, Bob Patera and Kawanian Gus Korb built Trusses for Natalie Patrick Splash Park Pump House
November 11, 2024 Lions placed sheeting on walls and roof of Natalie Patrick Splash Park Pump House
