Ruidoso Evening Lions Support Students and Community Through Scholarship and Service

On July 22, 2025, the Ruidoso Evening Lions Club proudly hosted a BBQ to honor this year’s scholarship recipients. With a record-breaking 42 applicants, our selection committee worked diligently for over two and a half hours to award sixteen $500 scholarships to deserving students from three local schools. It was a celebration of hard work, ambition, and community spirit.

Earlier in the month, on July 8, we held our annual officer induction ceremony. We were honored to welcome International Director Melissa Washburn and her husband, District Librarian Lion Johnny Washburn. But what was meant to be a festive occasion quickly turned into an emergency response. As the Washburns arrived in Ruidoso and turned onto Gavilan Canyon Road, they were met with a wall of water. The Rio Ruidoso had risen over 20 feet in mere minutes, unleashing devastating flash floods.

True to the Lion spirit, Melissa and Johnny jumped into action. After inducting the few members able to reach our Lion’s Hut, they returned home to Carlsbad, only to come back the very next day—this time with District Governor Frankie Davis, PCC Gemma Ferguson, and two truckloads of personal protective gear. They distributed supplies to those in need throughout the community, then returned the remaining PPE to our hut to help ongoing relief efforts. Despite recovering from recent foot surgery, ID Melissa truly embodied "boots on the ground," navigating flood recovery in a Breg boot.

The Ruidoso Evening Lions extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who continues to support us. Through wildfires and now floods, your generosity has helped lift our spirits and strengthen our resolve.

Mark your calendars!

Join us on Saturday, August 23 for our Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction Night. Tickets are just $10 for adults and $7 for kids. Donations of antiques and auction items are warmly welcomed.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Follow Ruidoso Evening Lions