Every year the Lions Club gives out grant money to local non-profit organizations.

Monday morning was no exception, as members awarded over a thousand dollars to deserving groups.

The Lions chose nine different groups to donate a total of $125 thousand to.

The majority of the money is raised by an annual raffle fundraiser the Lions Club holds each February.

Members will begin to disperse the grant money after the carnival, and continue to do so throughout 2013.

Of that grant money,  $3600 will go to benefit students at Mesa View Elementary School in grand Junction.

Mary Biagini, Mesa View's principal explained,"We are going to be purchasing interactive boards for our classrooms and we've already started the process and so this just lets us continue, and it's something we couldn't do without fundraising money or grant money, so we're really appreciative of it."

Evan Walton, part of the Lions Club Betterment Committee explained that all the money raised by the club was done so within the Grand Valley.

"This year, our pledge of $125,000 was all raised here in the community," Walton explained, "and given back to the community through our carnival and raffle ticket sales."

If you want to help the Lions Club generate more community dollars for next year's grant giveaway, tickets for the annual carnival and parade go went on sale starting Tuesday the 8th of January.

The carnival takes place February 16th in Grand Junction.