PHOTO PROVIDED The Montoursville Lions Club prepares for set-up for the 2025 Fall Festival at Indian Park.

At the 2025 Montoursville Kiwanis Fall Festival on Sept. 19 and 20, some of the Montoursville Garden Club volunteer members are swapping their gardening gloves for oven mitts for a great cause to create sweet smelling aromas of freshly baked cakes.

According to a news release, the Montoursville Garden Club volunteers, under the coordination of Rosemary Holmes will spend the week baking more than 50 homemade cakes to donate to the Montoursville Lions Club’s annual fundraiser at Indian Park for the Fall Festival.

The money raised by the Lions Club supports numerous activities, targeting vision health and prevention and youth programs.

“For the garden club, known more for its beautiful garden displays around the borough of Montoursville, the decision to turn their attention to baking is just another way some of the volunteers give back to the community,” the news release said.

“We’re all about growing things–plants, relationships, and community spirit,” said club member Rosemary Holmes, according to the news release. “This just felt like another way to help something grow.”

The idea took root last month during a casual conversation between Holmes and Lions’ Club member Dennis Correll, at another volunteer organization board meeting, W.B. Konkle Library, where they both serve as board members.

Dennis Correll was sharing with Rosemary the task put forth to the Lions Club volunteer members and what it takes to prepare for the Montoursville Kiwanis Fall Festival fund raiser and both their desires that nonprofits work together to support the community. “Next thing I know, she’s got volunteers agreeing to bake cakes to compliment the prizes already being offered by Lion Club members,” Correll said.

“For the Lions Club, the donation couldn’t have come at a better time,” the news release said. “This year’s fundraiser is set to be the largest yet at Montoursville’s Indian Park. And thanks to the garden club, the cake prizes for the Lions Club Cake Wheel fundraiser at the park will be decorated for the event.”

Other games will also be offered for prizes at the event.

“It is a blessing to have organizations work together as many nonprofits have seen their volunteer numbers decline these past few years, Montoursville Lions Club president Bob Dunne said, according to the news release. “Being supported by the Montoursville Garden Club is truly icing on the cake! This personal, homemade touch is something that money just can’t buy.”

“It’s amazing what can happen when people roll up their sleeves, whether it’s in the garden or the kitchen,” Holmes said. “Sometimes, all it takes is a little sugar and a lot of heart.”