Lions Club aids families, arts council

The Grant Lions Club has recently provided funds to several worthy causes with financial assistance to families, and the Missoula Theater production.
Proceeds from the annual Lions Club pancake feed, held Thursday, Feb. 3, have helped with medical expenses for two families: the Vigils and the Walls family.
recipients
One of the recipients, James Vigil, feels very blessed to be chosen to receive Lions Club funds. A good family friend saw the hardship he was going through with a back injury and other health issues. He asked if he could nominate the Vigil family as a possible recipient. “My family and I are very thankful to the Lions Club and the community for its love and great support,” Vigil said, “It’s humbling to see the care and hospitality of a small town coming together to help us.”
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Myra Walls, a nurse at the Grant Medical Clinic, underwent what was to be a fairly routine fusion back surgery on Dec. 21. However, it turned out to be anything but routine. Following surgery, Walls went into cardiac arrest twice, had CPR administered, and suffered broken ribs in the process. That was followed by a bout of Covid and pneumonia. She remained in the hospital for three weeks with an absess.
“Everything helps,” she said referring to the donation she received from the Lions Club. “Especially with so many prices going up.” Walls was able to take care of some smaller bills, buy her children some needed clothing items and groceries.
Her situation was brought to the attention of the Lions Club by her co-workers. “I was blown away,” she said. “I’m so touched that I was chosen as a recipient, and without the community’s support, it wouldn’t have been possible.”  
pancake event
The pancake feed has been in existence for decades.
“Nobody seems to remember not doing the pancake feed,” said Lions Treasurer Trent Patrick, “and some of our members have over 50 years of service.”
The routine has been relatively unchanged since its beginning—get together, cook up some pancakes, and donate the proceeds to families facing a challenge with finances due to unforeseen circumstances, Patrick said.
This year, approximately 230 people were served. “Our community supports this fundraiser no matter what,” Patrick said. “Even when it’s cold and snowy they venture out to help people in need.”
The Cub Scouts and the Thrivent Action Team assist in the kitchen and as servers. The experience is a valuable one to the Cub Scouts, who help with serving and cleanup, and interact with people during the meal. “The exposure they get to community service will stick with them for years to come,” Patrick said.
The recipients of the funds are always appreciative. Patrick said that one family was so moved by the help they received that they wanted to give back. They became members of the Lions, and have been giving back to the community ever since.
arts council
The Perkins County Area Youth Council was another recipient of Lions Club funds, receiving a check to assist in funding this year’s Missoula Children’s Theater production of “Red Riding Hood,” performed for the public on Saturday, March 5.
Youth council president Jessica Allen, relatively new to the area, became involved in the council due to an interest in the arts. Her name was suggested as a potential council member, and as it turned out, her vision aligned well with that of Gertie Wyatt, president at the time. Wyatt has since moved from Grant, and Allen was installed as the succeeding president of the council.
Allen reached out to the Lions Club as they had been a sponsor the first year of the Missoula production in 2019. She said that they were supportive and encouraging and willing to offer their help again with this year’s production.
“We are very thankful for the generous donation from the Lion’s club and their ongoing support of the next generation of kids who are learning how to create value, and foster their own unique talents for the betterment of this community,” Allen said.