GARWIN – The Garwin Lions Club’s reporting fiscal year ended on June 30, 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The 17-member club hosted four fundraisers, participated in five community projects, and was able to disburse $3,400 in donations to our community and other organizations.

Fundraisers

The Garwin Lions raise money for our projects and donations, hosting the following community activities:

-July 5, 2025: Freedom Days Breakfast, Community Center

-November 4, 2025: Election Day Souper, Yilek Store

-March 4, 2026: Fish Fry, Yilek Store

-March 27, 2026: Fish Fry, Yilek 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 $3,900 from these fund-raising activities.

Activities

The Club also participated in various community projects, including the following:

-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. Mike and his crew were able to screen 105 students in the late fall and early winter.

-Garwin Park cleanup: Club members trimmed trees and trimmed Garwin City Park in preparation for Freedom Days.

-Main Street parking lines: Club members repainted parking lines on Main Street in preparation for Freedom Days and the weekly “Music In The Park” concerts in the summer.

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

Donations

The Garwin Lions donate money to various organizations, concentrating on local groups. The club donated a total $2,200 to the following organizations:

-Garwin Fire Department Building Fund-new fire station

-Iowa Lions Foundation

-Lions Club International Foundation

-Garwin Lions GMG HS Scholarship-two (2) $300 scholarships

-South Tama County Food Pantry

-Camp Courageous-Monticello

-GMG After-Prom

-Camp Hertko Hollow-diabetes camp for children

-GMG Activities

-Garwin Little League

-Garwin American Legion (William M. Saunders Post 71)–flag replacement project

Meeting Presentations

The club holds monthly meetings (2nd Thursday of the month) and, if possible, has an outside program or presentation. Programs in 2025-2026 included:

-Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt (August)

-Claude Smith, Legion Flag replacement (January)

-Rick Raymond, new fire station tour (February)

-Mike Miller, Nevada flag project (April)

-Ashley Kajer, EMT and ambulance presentation (May)

-Joe Parks, tractor show presentation (June)

Current Lions Members

Current Garwin Lions Club 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.

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