Example Article for Lions Club
Lions And Rotary Christmas Dinner and Light Tour
Author: Bob Brastrup, Townsend Lions Club
Lions and Rotary Christmas Dinner and Light Tour
Bob Brastrup
Townsend Lions Club
The morning coffee group was gathered at the Commercial one December 2005 morning and the conversations centered around whether there would be enough ice for the Lions Perch Derby, the weather, and the upcoming Christmas Concerts at the school. During a lull in the conversation, Bill Kearns mentioned that there was a person who would have a lonely Christmas because she had lost a spouse and was house bound. Bill and Anita were taking her out to dinner that night after which they were going to tour the Christmas lights in town.
What a wonderful idea!
There were a couple of Lion Club members who took the idea to the club and suggested the club sponsor a Christmas meal and light tour for area senior citizens. The club enthusiastically endorsed the idea and began making plans for 2006.
Cost for the project was a big unknown. Joe and Bev Baze obtained a grant from Walmart which covered the program costs for the first two years. Since then, the Lion and Rotary Clubs have financed the program.
Obtaining names of people to invite to the event was time consuming and the club asked the Townsend Rotary Club if they would like to co-sponsor the event. They were happy to join the program. This year marks the 19th year for the event!
Each year there are a number of people who are unable to attend the meal and tour due to illness and other circumstances. Those individuals are provided with a poinsettia.
The meal is served at the Senior Center and Carol Anderson has been the outstanding chef since that first meal in 2006. Rides to the dinner are provided for those who have limited transportation. Following the dinner, participants are given a bus tour of the Townsend Christmas lights.
Members of various student school organizations have helped serve the meal and led the singing during the tour. One year, as the tour passed an especially well-lit residence, one person was heard to exclaim, “I wouldn’t want their light bill!”
This year’s event will be held December 9 and 10. The number of participants is limited due to the facility size. If you want to participate you can let your interest be known by calling Teena Larson at 406-980-1044 or Angie Wintrow at 406-980-1607.
Residents are asked to leave their decorations on until 9 p.m. on December 9 and 10 so those on the tour can enjoy them.
Thanks to Bill and Anita Kearns for the establishment of a wonderful Townsend tradition and to everyone who supports the various Lions and Rotary fund-raising programs. It is the profit from those programs that provide the financing for the various events sponsored by these clubs.
