When Burns was hit by severe flooding, the Lions Club, community and many others stepped up to help those in need
(Update: Adding video)
BURNS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As the old saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather in Oregon, just wait a minute and it will change.” In late March, the weather changed in the mountains just north of Burns, the snowpack started melting - fast!
Burns is a small community of 2,700 in the high desert of Harney County. On March 30th, the Burns levee on the swollen Silvies River failed, the community was hit by major flooding, affecting hundreds of homes on the north and east side of the community. The flooding was so severe, it could be seen from National Weather Service satellites in space.
The community response was immediate, and help came from far and wide. And the residents of Burns rallied and helped themselves.
The Burns Lions Club, through their member, District Governor Lion Pete Runnels, applied for an emergency grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation. The clock started at 5 p.m. on Monday with the submission of the grant. By 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the $15,000 grant was approved - and by Thursday, the money was in the bank, in only 94 hours.
That was great, but not enough for the Burns Lions, who promptly added $5,000 of their own charitable project fund. The Crooked River Ranch Lions heard about the disaster and sent $1,000. With some quick personal donations, including Parr Lumber staff and Lion Pete, the total dollars to help Burns residents came to just under $22,000.
Lion Pete Runnels connected with the Parr Lumber store in Burns and was met by Manager Jon Case, who was busy trying to get as much sheetrock, subfloor and insulation as could be trucked to Burns in short order. Jon and Burns Parr Lumber were already planning to let affected Burns residents have the product at near-cost.
After some brief number crunching, the sum of $350 per flood victim was settled upon.
When the water receded and Burns residents took the toll of the flood damage, they began flocking to the Parr Lumber store, where they were happy to get products at substantially reduced prices, along with a $350 gift from the Lions.
When everything was said and done, the Lions helped 69 Burns families begin their recovery from the Silvies River flood of 2025.
Lion Pete was quoted saying, “When the waters receded and folks faced the question of where do we start … this assistance was immediate and gave them a starting point and hope to begin the recovery process. There was no ‘red tape,’ so to speak.”
Jon Case replied, “We would do it again in a heartbeat. The appreciation shown from those affected was
moving.”
As Burns families continue their recovery, the Burns Lions will be there to help. As always, the Burns Lions will make sure underserved community members will get the vision and hearing help they need and that all the K-8 students get quality vision screening, plus so much more.
The Burns Lions say: “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion.” The Burns Lions can be reached through their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BurnsLionClub/.
