GIRARD, Kan. — Last week in Farlington, the Girard Lions Club graciously presented its annual awards and scholarships, honoring local students' accomplishments while also giving back to the community.

The Girard Lions Club held its annual picnic last Tuesday, welcoming recipients of this year’s cycle. According to club member Dan Duling, the recipients go through an application process, additionally receiving input from USD 248 in Girard. 

The funds for the scholarship and grant giving are notably raised through two primary fundraisers in the fall and spring. In the fall, at Girard High School, the Girard Lions Club holds its annual pancake feed, known as “Pokes & Pancakes,” offering all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage along with refreshments for just $7.

The other fundraiser, which usually takes place in March at St. Michael’s Hall, entails members of the club along with community volunteers serving plates of lasagna, green beans, salad, and dessert for $12. 

With the funds raised, the Girard Lions Club awarded its Ivan Breneman Memorial Scholarship to Girard High School graduates Josie Gronau and Rayleea Russell.

Community grant recipients are Girard Warriors Youth Track Club, Girard Community Food Pantry, Haderlein Elementary Backpack Program, Care to Share Cancer Support Group/The Sharing Bucket, and Scout Pack 84 along with Scout Troop 84. 

"It is so rewarding,” said Duling. “Sometimes we’ll have students come back to us later that have become professionals in their own right and they talk about the support from the community from multiple sectors of the community and Lions Club being one of them.”

The Girard Lions Club meets at noon every third Tuesday at the Girard Medical Center, located at 302 N Hospital Drive.

For more information on the Girard Lions Club or any local Lions Club, visit lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/club-locator.

This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.