The Mission Statement of Lions International:
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.

The Bemidji Lions continue to offer excellent programs and fellowship every Wednesday at Noon at the Bemidji Eagles Club. All Lions and friends volunteer for a number of community activities through the year. The Bemidji Lions Club is a successful club which was chartered March 31, 1939. The club presently has 98 members, who pay annual dues of $66.00.

Each year the Bemidji Lions donate over $16,000, going to community and Lions International organizations. Our 2011-12 list has over 35 different charities that we support.

Bemidji Lions News

Lions District 5M-10 Midwinter Convention

The Lions District 5M-10 Midwinter Convention will be held on February 3rd-5th at the Sawmill Inn at Grand Rapids, MN. Six Lions couples from the Bemidji Lions Club will be in attendance. District 5M-10 has 48 clubs in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwest Ontario. International Director Dave Hajny from the Great State of Montana. Lions will be able to ask him any question you have about Lionism at the Saturday morning breakfast, or listen when he addresses the Governor's banquet on Saturday evening, or by simply walking up to him and saying "hello" in good old 5M-10 fashion.

You will also get to meet Lion Bunny Tabbatt and her Leader Dog Bentlee. Lion Bunny will be the featured speaker at the Sunday brunch and her topic will be Leader Dogs for the Blind. A speaker from Can Do Canines will be featured at the Saturday lunch.

The Bemidji Lions will bring checks for $3200 for Lions International programs. This will be done at the Sunday brunch "Parade of Green". The Bemidji Lions donate to the following: Diabetes, Lions Leader Dog, Lions Can-Do Canines, LCIF & Melvin Jones, Lions Eye Bank, Lions Hearing Foundation, and Project New Hope. We'll have a good time.

The Lions "Rang the Bell" for the Salvation Army

Every Christmas season The Bemidji Lions "rings the bell" for the Salvation Army. This year Lions over $2200 for them. Thank you Lion Jack for chairing this excellent cause.

Holiday Gifts for Kids and Concessions at the Beaver Hockey Games Raised Funds

Individual Lions donations to Holiday Gifts for Kids this year was $725.00. Thank you Lion Ron for chairing this excellent cause. Lions also volunteered to work concessions at the Sanford Center during Beaver Hockey games, earning $395.00 in commission and tips. Thank you to all who helped with these events.

Buena Vista Logging Days Pancake Meal

The Bemidji Lions Club will be providing the pancake meal for Buena Vista Logging Days on Saturday, Feb. 4,
from 8 am to 2 pm in the Blacksmith Shop/Cook Shack.

34th Annual Bemidji Lions Club Flap-Jack Day

The 34th Annual Bemidji Lions Club Pancake Day has been re-named "Flap-Jack Day" this year in honor of Paul Bunyan's 75th birthday. It will be held at the Bemidji American Legion Club on Tuesday, May 1, from 7 am to 7 pm. Tickets will be available from Lions members about a month in advance of that date

61st Annual Bemidji Lions Fare Chicken BBQ

The 61st Annual Bemidji Lions Fare Chicken BBQ will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2012, near Paul and Babe. More details will be available as planning proceeds. Keep watching!

Bemidji Lions will host the 2014 District 5M-10 Midwinter Convention

The Bemidji Lions will celebrate their 75th anniversary in 2014. We will host the District 5M-10 midwinter convention that year as part of our celebration.

Recent Gifts to Local Organizations

2011 HOBY participant Colin Richards Bemidji Lions President Trey Bowman congratulates Colin Richards, the 2011 BHS Hugh O'Brien Youth Seminar participant. Also pictured is Travis Zachman, BHS Counselor. Each year the Lions sponsor a sophomore student to attend the seminar to gain leadership skills. Candidates are nominated by their teachers based on his demonstrated or potential leadership ability. Students are informed of their nomination. Those interested in applying will write an essay describing the most rewarding and challenging aspect of being a leader in school and community. A committee of faculty, Lions members and students select one HOBY ambassador and one alternate. During the past 8 years the Bemidji Lions have enabled BHS HOBY ambassadors to attend both the national and state leadership seminars.

- The Bemidji Lions will once again participate in Holiday Gifts for Kids for Christmas of 2011. Lions can contribute money or an unwrapped gift for a child (ages 1-16). These gifts need to be turned in by December 7th. The gifts will be handed out the following week to deserving children at the armory by the Holiday Gifts for Kids committee. Thank you, Lions, for your generosity and participation.

- The Lions also rang the bell for the Salvation Army at the Paul Bunyan Mall during the week of November 27th through December 3rd. Volunteers who ring the bell average about $20.00 per hour of income for the Salvation Army. Last year volunteers raised $17,775. The money raised will be used solely in Beltrami County. Thank you for your willingness to volunteer and contribute.

- The Bemidji Lions will sponsor a sophomore from BHS to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar during the school year. Last year’s representative was Colin Richards, who is giving his presentation to the club on Wednesday, December 21st.

- The Bemidji Lions will have their Christmas party on Wednesday, December 14th at the Eagles clubrooms. Their invited guests will be the Bemidji High School Choirs. The concert has been a tradition for the Lions at Christmas. The Lions will present a gift of $500 to the BHS music department during the party.

- Thank you to the Bemidji Lions for their donation of $1500 to the Bemidji State University Football program during Lions Vision Awareness Week October 9th to the 15th. Honorary captain for the game was Lion Jim Gorman, a member of the Blackduck Lions and a member on the Minnesota Eye Bank Board of Directors.