If you ask any member of the Chubbuck Lions Club what their favorite holiday tradition is, it would be the annual Special Needs Christmas dinner. This year the event is being held on Sunday from noon until 2 p.m. in the Red Lion Hotel, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road.  

If you’d like to make a donation or help in any way please contact Lion Tamye Durrant at 241-4360 or tamyedurrant@yahoo.com.  

Started in 1961, to spread holiday cheer to a group of special needs children and their families, the Chubbuck Lions members have made it part of their own annual family traditions. Last year special needs children, adults and their families joined by the Chubbuck Lions members and a multitude of volunteers and over 525 were in attendance.  

What grew out of a small group of people attending that first year has multiplied many times over until almost overflowing the Red Lion Hotel facility last year. The amazing support given over the years with the donation of the banquet facility and staff to prepare the dinner makes planning the event possible each year. The Red Lion Hotel staff field phone calls as early as September with people asking when the dinner will be each year.

The Chubbuck Lions Club would like to express their thanks to the numerous and generous donations of businesses and individuals in the community that support the event financially, through donations of turkey and other food items, gifts for the attendees and help serving and entertaining. We wouldn’t be able to serve so many without the generosity of Red Lion Hotel, Farm Bureau, Simplot, Heinz, Meadow Gold Dairy, Gem State Distributors, The Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, The U.S. Marine Corps, Bank of Idaho, Angie Hernandez, Bob Tanner, Jade Auto Clinic, Mrs. Powell’s, Butterburrs, The Highland High School Trouveres Choir and so many others.  Chubbuck Lions members sell raffle tickets for donated prizes such as handmade quilts, gingerbread houses and frozen turkeys to help buy supplies for the dinner.

The Special Needs Christmas dinner takes months of planning and gathering of supplies but it is a labor of love. Many of the attendees at the first dinner still attend each year, a little more gray hair and few more wrinkles, but still the same sweet spirit. In an ever growing commercial world, this event lends itself to the spirit of Christmas as there is nothing more festive than sharing a meal and singing carols in such amazing company.  

Each year the number of people that sign on to come help serve the meals range from the mayors and county commissioners, Job’s Daughters, children and grandchildren of Chubbuck Lions club members and members of the Rigby Lions Club.  

The most festive part of the event is when Santa makes a visit after a concert from the Highland High School Trouveres and the Special Primary choir. Donated toys and candy bags are available for each special needs child and adult. From teddy bears, dolls and games each gift is treasured and to watch their joy when they leave with their present after telling Santa their wishes makes the monumental effort worthwhile.  

Many Chubbuck Lions Club members remember when they attended the dinner; one member recalls that when her father was a member, he brought this member’s brothers and sisters to help serve. And many members and their families have made the dinner a part of their holiday traditions.

New attendees come every year and we mourn those who have passed away.  It wouldn’t be the same without attendee Richard Anderson reading the Christmas story from the Bible every year and the group singing Here Comes Santa Claus to herald in the arrival of St. Nick.  

It’s just not Christmas until we’ve celebrated with this amazing group.