The Mane Event Gives Back
Proceeds from our event benefit local nonprofits.
Beyond the Gravel
Being part of the community involves more than just organizing a unique and, dare we say, amazing event for both locals and visitors to enjoy. Such an event benefits the community by attracting tourism dollars, introducing attendees to local vendors, and showcasing Sheridan, Wyoming, in a positive light. However, we can do even more.
We believe that investing in local causes can be seen as a noble gesture, but its ethos should also be a part of our everyday lives. This belief motivates us to create a successful event so we can share that goodwill with others.
Our Beneficiaries
Sheridan Sundowners Lions Club
HISTORY
The Sheridan Sundowners Lions Club represents a merger of two Lions Clubs in Sheridan, Wyoming, and was chartered on May 26, 1921. In 1925, at the behest of Helen Keller, Lions Clubs became the ‘knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness,’ taking up the cause of supporting individuals with sight and hearing impairments in both local communities and abroad.
For 45 years, the Sheridan Sundowners Lions Club’s main fundraising event was a Thanksgiving Basketball Classic. COVID had other ideas, and the local college canceled all sports except rodeo. We then had to pursue a new funding source.
Jordan LeDuc, owner of the Sheridan Bicycle Company, had an idea – why not put on a Gravel Bike Event in Sheridan, Wyoming, in September? In 2021, The Mane Event Gravel Grinder was born.
With the funds from this event, the Club will be able to continue with its projects to benefit Sheridan and the residents of our community.
Impact
The largest impact the Sheridan Sundowners Lions Club has is through vision-related work. This includes purchasing exams and eye glasses for children whose family is unable to purchase them.
Also, the Club has helped conduct free vision screening for young children in the area, with the help of the Big Horn and Story Lion Clubs. These screenings have been done in Sheridan, Big Horn, Ranchester, Clearmont, Arvada, Kaycee and on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana at the schools in Wyola and Lodge Grass.
Since 1988, the Lions Clubs from Sheridan County have helped with eye surgeries, including corneal transplants, for people who are unable to pay for them. Now, with the help of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank Eye Surgery Fund, we can apply for a grant to help cover the cost of the surgeries. If the application is approved by them, they will pay for 80% of the cost, and the Lions of Wyoming Foundation will pay 10% and the 3 local Lion Clubs will pay the remaining 10%. After meeting with the people to fill out the grant application, approximately 40 % of the people are able to come up with the money for their surgery on their own, normally from family or friends, and we have been able to help the remaining 60%. To learn more about what it means to the individuals who have had eye surgeries, so they are able to see clearly again, please go to the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank website at https//www.corneas.org and click on recipients.
The Club donates funds to Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Michigan. They provide leader dogs to the blind at no cost to the recipients. All of their money comes from donations. The Club also donates to the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank Surgery Fund and to the Lions of Wyoming Foundation.