As many of you know, I’m a member of the Grand Junction Lions Club. In fact, I’m second vice president — barring a coup, second in line to the throne, where I will reign supreme in less than two years. That’s Lions humor for you. We don’t take ourselves too seriously — except when we do.

As my friends and business associates understand, one of those times is raffle ticket selling season from early January to carnival day in February. I’m proud of my raffle ticket selling success only because I have wonderful people who buy from me year after year — although I’ve lost some buyers who’ve become Lions and competing sellers — to help make the Grand Junction Lions Carnival one of the biggest single-day fund-raisers in the country.

As Lions, we’re proud of the accomplishment. But we’re just as proud of the community we serve having such a generous, caring heart for those in need and incredibly so for the nonprofits. You’re the reason the Grand Junction Lions have given around $8 MILLION to nonprofits in the community over its century of service. And, yes, for the 2021 raffle season, the needs are going to be greater than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the fun and frolicking about the parade, carnival and raffle sales are fodder for my early January edition column.

Today’s column is more personal. And in 2020 as it should be. It’s been a hard year on all of us no matter one’s station in life. Personally, my highs and lows have been about all I can take. But I’m still standing, as are so many others. Battered and bruised? Perhaps. Less well off? In many circumstances, for sure. But I can still do good things, enjoy my family and keep the doors open due to the goodness of others who’ve helped me when I needed it most. I’m forever amazed at how God knows just when to put those perfect people into my life.

And there you have the reason behind the Grand Junction Lions Club random acts of kindness program. The program began in 2004. Its intention wasn’t about being a fund-raiser for nonprofits or involving sales or anything else you’ve heard about Grand Junction Lions doing out in the community. And there as some doozies related to that last point. No, random acts of kindness is all about people helping people on a personal level. And that’s what I love about it.

In a nutshell, Grand Junction Lions are given crisp $100 bills to hand out randomly to individuals. Even though this year requires a different way to disperse those dollars to members as we won’t meet as a group, Past President Gregg Palmer will regale the club on a Zoom meeting about the origin of the random acts of kindness program and then turn the floor over to members to tell their own heartfelt stories of who their money went to and how it helped someone in need.

Over the years, I’ve heard hundreds of stories abut how Lions have used these most important dollars.  My favorite was one of a Lion out shopping and seeing a mom Christmas shopping for toys and goodies and they could just tell — you know what I mean — that was a mom wishing she could do more for her kids. Well, out of nowhere a Grand Junction Lion upped her shopping budget to make a Christmas morning more enjoyable for kids who deserve it most. I know that one well because I did something similar for a friend in need.

There are stories about money going to pay for utility bills, prescriptions, day care and groceries — some random and some because a Grand Junction Lion knew of a friend or friend’s friend who was having trouble making ends meet. Sometimes Lions get together and pool their money to help others. The Grand Junction Lions have bought playground equipment for kids with special needs. They’ve gotten together to buy cars for veterans working their way back into our community. I could go on, but you get the gist.

Over the years since its inception, the random acts of kindness program has put some $300,000 into our community through these personal interactions. Although the reasons will be different this year, the stories will be very much the same. A Grand Junction Lion is going to hear about or see someone in need, and $100 will find its way to help. That’s what makes random acts of kindness so special to me. Well, along with how God will help someone find me at the right place and the right time. It’s a restoration of my faith at a time when it’s desperately needed on both ends of a wonderful transaction.

The Grand Junction Lions could not do it without your support. Thank you. And remember during this season of giving the deserving nonprofits in our community and local service clubs doing everything in their power to help them and those less fortunate. Try to give a little more.

It will change your life just as much.