The Iola Lions Club distributed checks to local organizations during its annual Christmas party.
Iola Lion Vice President Steve Olson distributed checks to area organizations, including: Iola Nutrition Site, Toys For Tots, Iola River Walk, Project Backpack, Living Oaks Activities, Iola-Scandinavia School District for hydro-vection ovens, and Iola Lioness Club for its Post-Prom and Easter parties.
The Iola Lions contributed $250 to the Project Backpack Program, which puts food into the hands of children of need.
Volunteers help label, pick up and drop off over 225 backpacks each week to five school districts in the area. The I-S School District receives over 40 of those backpacks, with Sue and Lee Halverson serving as local coordinators.
In addition, Project Backpack also provided Christmas groceries for 76 families.
Sandra Bostwick accepted a check for $400 from the Iola Lions for Living Oaks, an assisted living facility. The contribution will help provide music entertainment for the residents.
Pat Roseman, site manager for the Iola Nutrition Site, and volunteer Bev Anderson received a donation for $300 from the Iola Lions.
This contribution provides for a special Christmas meal and gifts for each person at the meal site during their annual Christmas party. All of the homebound seniors on the home delivered Meals on Wheels program also receive gifts.
The Christmas party event was chaired by Lion Jason Shelley, with about 64 people attending. Toys for Tots were collected.
The Iola-Scandinavia High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Janice Lehr, opened the evening with Christmas music. The ISHS band program also received a donation from the Lions.