Lady Lions donate big bucks to local causes

Bigfork Eagle

When times get tough, it appears one of Bigfork's oldest civic clubs gets going. The Bigfork Lady Lions recently donated $1,000 to Intermountain Children's Home and a month's rent — $700 — to the Bigfork Museum of Art and History.

"In the current economy people can't donate like they used to, so we're happy to do whatever we can," said Ann Tucker, president of the Bigfork Lady Lions.

Taylor said the donation to Intermountain was to help support the organization's establishment of a children's home in the Flathead Valley, the first facility of its kind in the Valley.

Dee Incoronato, of Bigfork, serves on Intermountain's board of directors and gave a presentation to the Lady Lions recently.

"We were so impressed by their goals we decided it would be something we would contribute to on a regular basis," Tucker said.

Tucker said her group has a long-standing history of supporting the Bigfork museum — formerly the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center — and decided that paying a month's rent for the museum would give them some breathing room.

"We think it's a very important part of Bigfork," she said.

The funds were raised in the club's annual restaurant coupon book sale, which happens each fall around the Valley. Money from the fundraiser also goes toward the $2,500 scholarship the group sponsors at Flathead Valley Community College for a second year nursing student.

In addition to those groups, the Lady Lions regularly support the Bigfork Food Pantry, the Samaritan House, the Veteran's Food Pantry and other organizations around the Flathead.

The Lady Lions — who are not affiliated with the Lions Club — were formed as a ladies' auxiliary to the Masonic lodge and firefighters in 1961 in Bigfork and have operated continuously since then.

Taylor said the group is currently looking for new members and anyone interested can contact her at 837-3179.