Culbertson Lions Celebrate 80 Years
When Christmas lights go up along Culbertson’s streets or families gather for breakfast with Santa, the work of the Culbertson Lions Club becomes part of the season.
Other contributions remain long after an event ends, from the restored coal mine cars in front of Centennial Park to a fishing pond built with help from neighbors, businesses and volunteers.
Together, those efforts tell the story of a club celebrating 80 years of service — and of local people who have continued finding ways to help the place they call home.
Chartered Sept. 13, 1946, the Culbertson Lions Club has become part of the community’s traditions through projects that support children, preserve history and bring residents together. Its anniversary offers an opportunity to recognize both the larger accomplishments and the everyday volunteer work behind them.
The Lions’ motto, “We Serve,” is reflected in a calendar that has included spring athletics, Memorial Day flags and holiday gatherings.
For young students, that involvement has included an elementary track meet held near the end of April when weather permits. The event gives children an opportunity to take part in athletic competition with support from local volunteers.
The club has also maintained a tradition of giving American flags to first-grade students in recognition of Memorial Day. It is a small gesture that connects the organization with another group of children each year.
Those activities place Lions members in a familiar role in a small town: helping provide experiences for children that depend on adults willing to give their time.
During the Christmas season, that same willingness helps brighten Culbertson’s streets.
Members have worked with the town, Miller’s Oil and the Culbertson FFA chapter to install holiday lights. The effort brings a local service organization, public workers, a business and students together for something the whole community can enjoy.
The Lions’ holiday work also extends to Breakfast with Santa, a longtime partnership with the Culbertson Women’s Club.
With Lions members cooking the meal, the gathering gives families a place to share breakfast and children an opportunity to visit Santa. It has also helped raise money for the Culbertson Pool, connecting a holiday tradition with a community need.
By 2021, organizers said the breakfast had been held for more than a decade. Its return that December followed a pandemic-related cancellation the previous year.
Held at the Culbertson High School cafeteria, the 2021 breakfast raised more than $2,000 for the pool bathhouse project. Ron Arthur portrayed Santa, and Jobs for Montana Graduates helped decorate.
Later event announcements included pancakes and sausage, pictures with Santa and crafts for children, with free-will donations benefiting the pool.
The breakfast illustrates how the Lions have often worked alongside other organizations. The Women’s Club led the effort to replace the aging pool bathhouse, supported by fundraisers, grants, donations and help from across the community. When the completed building opened for its first summer in 2026, the Lions were among those thanked for assisting with events along the way.
The club’s contributions have also helped keep local history in view.
The coal mine cars sitting in front of Centennial Park were donated by Virginia Jennison Hilton and restored by the Culbertson Lions Club. The club is also credited with erecting the historical marker accompanying the display.
According to the marker, the cars were used at the Jennison/Wix Mine from 1941 until it closed in 1959. The mine supplied lignite coal for domestic use in communities from Fairview to Fort Peck.
Preserving the cars kept a piece of that working history in the community, giving younger generations a chance to see equipment connected to an industry that once served homes throughout the region.
More recently, the Lions helped create another lasting community resource through Ike’s Fishing Pond and Walking Trail. Led by club member and volunteer project manager Ken Forbregd, the project brought together donated land, grants, local contributions and volunteer labor to provide a place for fishing, walking and spending time outdoors.
Members are now discussing paying the final $20,000 in remaining construction costs. Once those costs are paid, the Culbertson Area Community Foundation will take over financial oversight and pond management.
As that project reaches its next chapter, the club is considering other ways to serve. Recent discussion included the possibility of establishing scholarship funds to help cover activity costs at Culbertson School.
Continuing as officers this year are president Tom Beck, secretary Wayne Hendrickson and treasurer Steve Larsen.
The club’s 80th anniversary recognizes years of work by members who have helped organize events, prepare meals, raise money and see projects through. It also celebrates the partnerships that make those efforts possible.
