The Orchard Mesa Lions Club turned syrup and smiles into community support this Mother’s Day, serving up their tradition of pancakes, gratitude, and giving.

The club’s annual event wasn’t just about breakfast. It was a full-circle celebration — honoring moms while quietly bolstering community health, one plate at a time.

A Mother’s Day Tradition That Keeps on Giving

In Orchard Mesa, Sunday mornings can feel sleepy. But not on Mother’s Day. Not when the Lions Club is cooking.

People started arriving early. Kids clutched flowers, dads carried toddlers, and everyone came hungry. For pancakes, sure — but also connection.

Mike Bussey, soon to take the reins as club president, didn’t mince words. “We’ve all had mothers. They’re special. So we wanted to make this day just as special,” he said between flipping pancakes and shaking hands.

This wasn’t the first rodeo. It marked 46 years of the Orchard Mesa Lions hosting this breakfast, turning a simple meal into something bigger — a kind of local holiday within a holiday.

And the turnout? Solid. Plates emptied fast, coffee flowed like a spring creek, and laughter echoed off the cafeteria walls.

All Proceeds Stay Local — That’s the Point

Sure, people came for the pancakes. But the heart of the event? Giving back. That’s always been the cornerstone.

Bussey explained it plainly: “That’s the way I was raised. You give when you can. And this club makes sure that money stays right here.”

So where exactly does the money go?

• Helping residents with eye exams and vision care

• Covering glasses for those who can’t afford them

• Supporting kids’ programs in local schools

• Funding other charitable work across Mesa County

It’s not flashy. But it’s steady, reliable support — and that matters more than ever these days.

Why Eye Health Still Needs Attention

Vision care might not make headlines, but it sure affects people’s lives.

In Colorado, the average cost of an eye exam is around $150 — not cheap if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. Glasses? Easily another $100 to $300. For seniors and working families, that adds up fast.

And Grand Junction isn’t immune. In fact, data from the CDC shows that nearly 12% of adults in the U.S. report trouble seeing, even with glasses.

That’s why events like this — humble as they seem — pack a punch.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how the Orchard Mesa Lions have used breakfast proceeds in recent years:

One line stands out from Bussey: “We’re not solving the world’s problems. But if a kid sees the board better or a grandma gets her first pair of glasses in ten years — that’s worth it.”

Moms, Pancakes, and a Little Nostalgia

There’s something timeless about it all.

One woman, Susan Harlan, brought her three sons and a scrapbook. Her mom used to bring her to the same breakfast in the ‘80s. “She always said this was better than a fancy brunch,” Harlan smiled, flipping a yellowed photo of her mother laughing with a lion mascot.

Others echoed the sentiment — that this event is as much about memory as it is about maple syrup.

In one corner, a teenage boy nervously handed his mom a card. She teared up. No one said anything. But you could feel the weight of the moment.

Even for those without their mothers present, the event held space. A candle-lit “memory table” stood near the entrance, where guests could leave names and notes. Dozens did.

Not Just Flipping Flapjacks — Building Future Leaders

You’d be forgiven for thinking this is all about pancakes. It’s not.

The Lions Club also uses these events to get younger folks involved. High schoolers volunteered, pouring juice and clearing trays. Some had never even heard of the club before.

“They asked us to help, and I thought why not,” said a student named Jalen, who admitted he didn’t know how to hold a coffee pot properly until that morning. “It was actually kind of fun.”

That’s how it starts.

And it’s deliberate. The Orchard Mesa Lions know their average age is creeping up. Events like this are their way of passing the baton — slow and steady, with syrup on the side.

Breakfast as a Barometer for Community Spirit

Events like this aren’t flashy. They don’t go viral. But they matter.

They’re a measure of how well a town still shows up — for its elders, for its kids, for its moms.

This year’s event had a familiar feel: same folding chairs, same raffle tickets, same clatter of metal spatulas on griddles. But it also felt heavier. More meaningful. Maybe because, after a few tough years, people just needed a reason to gather.

And Mother’s Day was the perfect excuse.

Bussey wrapped it up best. “People showed up. That’s what counts.”