District 5M9 Lions

10/20/2026

Club Spotlight: Baxter Lions Mn

This month, we're highlighting clubs across District 5M9 that are staying connected through service, fellowship, and community impact.

This past Sunday, the Baxter Lions rolled up their sleeves and spent a beautiful fall day helping with cleanup at the Northland Arboretum in preparation for the upcoming Haunted Trail!

With a great turnout of members, the club came together to lend a hand and help get things ready for a fun community event.

It's a great reminder that service doesn't always have to be a big project. Sometimes it's simply showing up, working together, and making a difference right in your own backyard.

This is what makes District 5M9 strong.

Every club has its own personality, its own traditions, and its own way of serving. Together, those stories make up the bigger 5M9 story.

Great work, Baxter Lions! Thank you for stepping up and making a difference!

Calling all District 5M9 Lions Clubs! We want to share your stories! Send us your service photos, event recaps, and fellowship moments for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Club Spotlight.

10/19/2026

𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡

In 1925, 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 “𝗞𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱.” Today, we continue that mission, helping people around the world see a brighter future.

Idrissa, a businessperson in Burkina Faso, struggled to work because he couldn’t see clearly. He received glasses from an LCIF-supported clinic - and with clearer vision, he returned to delivering sandwiches, reconnecting with customers, and growing his business.

𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 – 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗖𝗜𝗙.

5M9 Lions collect glasses year ‘round for recycling to help provide improved eyesight. Please remember to bring those glasses to our Mid-Winter Convention in January.

http://www.lcif.org

10/15/2026

Today is White Cane Safety Day!

A white cane represents independence, confidence, and freedom for those who are blind or visually impaired.

District 5M9 joins the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation in reminding everyone to be aware, show kindness, and respect others.

Small actions make a big difference. We Serve!

10/14/2026

Thank you all for working so hard on the membership challenge and on retaining the members we already have.

As a reminder, the club with the highest growth percentage wins 10 pizzas and 2 cases of pop.

The winner of the Fall Membership Drive is…

JENKINS AREA LIONS CLUB!

The Jenkins Area club added 5 new members: a 125% increase. Way to go! DG Sheri will be reaching out to set up the pizza party date.

Here are the clubs who added members in September:
• Backus Lions: 6
• Baxter Lions Mn: 1
• Brainerd Lions Club MN: 1
• Frazee Lions Club : 4
• Hewitt: 1
• Jenkins Area: 5
• Palisade Lions Club Area: 2
• Pillager & Area Lion's Club: 1
• Verndale Lions Club: 1

That’s 22 new Lions welcomed across 9 clubs. Every one of them started with a Lion making the ask.

Keep inviting. Keep welcoming.

10/14/2026

Welcome to Lions, Vanya and Bill!

District 5M9 would like to congratulate the Palisade Lions Club on inducting two new members into their club.

We are excited to welcome Vanya and Bill to the Lions family!

We are glad to have you as part of District 5M9!

The Palisade Lions inducted new members Vanya and Bill Rickmeyer into our club this evening. We reviewed our summer projects, talked about the Community Meal that has started in Palisade, heard from our District Zone and Diabetes Chair Terry Carter, and began planning for upcoming activities and the district convention.
Pictured l to r: Secretary Evie Ladd, New Members Vanya and Bill Rickmeyer, Membership Chair Dave Carlson, and 1st Vice President Pam Nordstrom

10/13/2026

District 5M9 Lions, let's come together and make a difference!

We're bringing service to the 2027 Mid-Winter Convention, and we need your helping hands!

January 8-10 at Cragun's Resort, we'll be tying fleece blankets for cancer patients at four area hospitals throughout our district.

Our goal is 25+ blankets!

It's a simple project that can bring a little warmth, comfort, and kindness to someone going through a difficult time.

Want to help? Bring a good pair of cloth scissors or rotary cutters and cutting mats. Most importantly, bring your willingness to serve!

Let's show what happens when Lions across District 5M9 come together for a great cause.

Meet new people. Do cool things. Make a difference.

10/13/2026

District 5M9 is strongest when clubs and zones stay connected.

October is a great month for Zone Chairs, club presidents, and members to look for simple ways to bring Lions together.

Host a shared service project.
Invite a neighboring club to your event.
Plan a zone social.
Share ideas between clubs.
Attend a fundraiser outside your own community.
Celebrate what another club is doing well.
Every club has something to teach.
Every zone has stories worth sharing.
Every connection helps build a stronger District 5M9.

Zone Chairs and club leaders, send District 5M9 your October zone events, club visits, and collaboration photos.

10/06/2026

Here is your October challenge, District 5M9 Lions:

Visit another club this month.

It does not have to be complicated.

Attend a meeting.
Stop by a fundraiser.
Join a service project.
Crash a pancake breakfast.
Bring a few Lions from your club and make it a road trip.

When clubs visit each other, good things happen.

Ideas get shared.
Friendships grow.
Energy builds.
Members feel connected to the bigger Lions family.

We are all part of District 5M9.

Let’s show up for each other.

Be sure to tag District 5M9 when your club visits another club this month.

10/05/2026

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀

When disaster strikes, Lions are there.

In recent years, Minnesota communities have experienced devasting floods, and Lions have stepped forward to help their neighbors. From the 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸 area in northern Minnesota to 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 in the south, and in communities throughout the state, Lions have been there to meet needs of many kinds.

We’ve seen the same response even closer to home when a 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲, 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟬. Lions in 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝟱𝗠𝟵 showed up. Through an LCIF emergency grant, funds were used to purchase drinking water and other supplies for those who were suddenly facing tremendous challenges. Lions also worked to bring in new beds, helping bring a little comfort during a very difficult time.

When a disaster happens, help can’t always wait. LCIF emergency grants of up the $15,000 can be available usually within 24-48 hours. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

From damaged communities in Minnesota to those facing disaster halfway around the world, 𝗟𝗖𝗜𝗙 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀.

Check out more grant info at:
http://www.lcif.org

10/02/2026

OCTOBER 2026 | 5M9 LIONS EVENTS & DISTRICT DATES

Support a fundraiser, connect with fellow Lions or find a new opportunity to serve! Here’s what’s we have found so far!

OCTOBER 2–4
Project New Hope Military Family Retreat
Good Earth Village | Spring Valley, MN
A military family retreat at no cost to veterans.
Information: projectnewhope.net

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Pancake Breakfast with an ’80s Twist
Brainerd Leo Club & Brainerd Lions Club
9 AM–1 PM
The Center | 803 Kingwood Street, Brainerd
Adults: $10 | Youth: $5
Wear your best ’80s outfit for a chance to win a door prize!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
2nd Annual Choose Kindness Community Event
Brainerd Community Education & District 5M9 Lions
5:30–7:30 PM
Forestview Middle School | Baxter, MN
A free community event with food, prizes, inspiration and vendors. Bring your friends, family and neighbors to celebrate kindness!

OCTOBER 10
Pancake Breakfast During Oktoberfest
Pelican Rapids Area Lions Club
8–11 AM
Faith Lutheran Church | 423 S. Broadway, Pelican Rapids
Freewill offering.
Serving pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
An Evening Behind Closed Doors
A private Lee Anderson Museum & Boat House tour supporting Denise Marie Laudenbach’s campaign for International Director.
4–7 PM | Nisswa
$50 per person
Fellowship afterward at Jack Pine Brewery beginning at 7 PM.
RSVP: Dennis Heinen | [email protected] | 320-491-3996

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
Gather in the Woods
A private luncheon and celebration supporting Denise Marie Laudenbach’s campaign for International Director.
1–4 PM
Private Event Cottage | 5402 Hidden Lane, outside Brainerd
$100 per person | Reservations required
RSVP: Dennis Heinen | [email protected] | 320-491-3996

OCTOBER 15–19
Youth Hunt Photo Contest
Verndale Lions Club
Free entry for youth ages 10–17 statewide.
Submit a photo of the youth with a deer harvested during the October 15–18 youth hunt with a valid license.
Email photos to [email protected] and include the youth’s name and age.
Entries accepted October 15 through noon on October 19.
Eight $50 Fleet Farm gift cards awarded through a random drawing.
Full rules on the Verndale Lions page.

OCTOBER 16–18
Regional Lions Leadership Institute
Roseville, MN
Build leadership skills and connect with fellow Lions.
Contact: Michelle Nickolauson
[email protected] | 218-366-1111

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
Free Texas Hold’em Night
Brainerd Lakes Area Poker League, with food and meat raffles provided by the Pillager Lions.
Doors open at 4:45 PM | Games begin at 6 PM
Pillager Community Center | 207 E 2nd Street, Pillager
Cash-only venue. Proceeds support the Pillager Lions.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Thanksgiving for Vision
Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation
Holiday Inn & Suites | St. Cloud, MN
Celebrate the work of saving and restoring sight.
Contact: James Arvidson
[email protected] | 218-639-5323

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Club Membership Chair Check-In
District 5M9 Global Membership Team
7–8 PM | Zoom
Contact: Erica Keppers | [email protected]

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31
Council of Governors Meeting

OCTOBER VISION SERVICE DATES

October 8–18: Vision Week of Service
October 8: World Sight Day
October 15: International White Cane Safety Day

Clubs are encouraged to plan vision screenings, eyeglass collections and other projects supporting people who are blind or visually impaired.

OCTOBER CLUB VISITS

District Governor Sheri Greenwaldt:
• October 1: Backus Lions
• October 14: Crosslake Ideal Lions
• October 15: Cuyuna Range Lions
• October 19: McGregor Lions
• October 20: Aitkin Lions
• October 26: Bluffton Lions

1st Vice District Governor Diane Kunze:
• October 12: Wadena Lions
• October 13: Park Rapids Lions
• October 20: Dunvilla Lions

Club members should check with their club for meeting details.

Have another October event to add? Drop your club name, event, date, time and location in the comments, and tag 5M9 Lions!