GARWIN — The Garwin Lions Club’s reporting fiscal year ended on June 30, 2025 (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025). The club, which consists of 18 members, hosted four fundraisers, participated in five community projects and was able to disburse $3,400 in donations to the community and other organizations.

Fundraisers

To raise money for the projects and donations, the Lions hosted the following community activities:

-July 6, 2024, Freedom Days Breakfast – Community Center

-Nov. 5, 2024, Election Day Soup Supper – Yilek Grocery Store

-March 29, Fish Fry – Yilek Grocery Store

-April 11, Fish Fry – Yilek Grocery Store

All of the events were free-will offering and were well-attended by people from Garwin and surrounding communities. After expenses, the club raised $3,000 from these fundraising activities.

Community projects

The Club participated in various community projects including the following activities:

-KidSight screenings (GMG, South Tama, Meskwaki Settlement). Coordinated by Mike Richardson, elementary students have their eyesight screened and reported to the Iowa Lions Kidsight program. Participation is voluntary and screening is intended to detect any eyesight problems which are then communicated to parents. Richardson and his crew were able to screen 106 students in the late fall and early winter.

-Tree planting in Garwin Park. The City of Garwin received a grant from Alliant Energy for trees to be planted in the city park and Gamble park. Lions Club members dug the holes, planted and staked the trees.

-Garwin Park Cleanup. Club members trimmed trees, painted parking lines and trimmed the Garwin park in preparation for Freedom Days.

-Upkeep of Garwin’s Welcome Signs: This is a yearly project which is chaired and organized by Ron Groth.

-Community Center Door Replacement: Replaced the west door of the Community Center.

Donations

The Garwin Lions donates money to various organizations, concentrating on local groups. The club donated a total $3,400 to the following organizations: Garwin Fire Department Building Fund; Iowa Lions Foundation; Lions Club International Foundation; Garwin Lions GMG HS Scholarship; South Tama County Food Pantry; Camp Courageous – Monticello; GMG After-Prom; Camp Hertko Hollow (diabetes); Garwin Scout Troop 394; GMG Activities; Garwin Little League and City of Garwin.

Membership

Current Lions Members include Curt Bacon, Keith Barloon, Matt Deam, Abe Dieleman, Leland Frahm, Greyson Fraser, Jaimie Gargas, Ron Groth, Jim Hlas, Matt Jackson, Willie Karsjen, Derek Kienzle, Alan Kouba, Kenny Mayo, Mark Polich, Mike Richardson, Jim Sandquist, and Leroy Thoms. In March of 2025, Fraser became the club’s newest member.

The Garwin Lions Club always welcomes new members; anyone interested in joining a group dedicated to serving the community, can attend one of the meetings and see what the Lions are all about. The meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Garwin Community Center.

The Club strives to have a program during each meeting. These are coordinated by Kenny Mayo and have been very informative. The programs were:

-Melinda Ruopp – Marshall County Sheriff K9 Handler

-Julie Rathjen – Community Clothes Closet of Tama

-Diane Caloud – Tama County Historical Society

-Chris Petersen – GMG Superintendent

-Matt Deam – Garwin Mayor – Fire Station project updates

-Tricia Slifer – Troop 394 Scoutmaster

-Eulalia Pena – GMG Spanish Teacher

-Brittany Raymond – GMG iJAG Director

In Memoriam

In September of 2024, we mourned the loss of one of the members. Ron Smith was a valued member of the club and of the community. He brought a common-sense approach to projects and always volunteered to help. He is greatly missed!