Lions celebrate 75 years of community service

From saving the lime kilns at Lime Kiln Park to helping build the bandshell at Veterans Memorial Park to creating Lions Club Park and generating thousands of dollars in community donations — in many ways Grafton would not be what it is today without the support of the Lions Club.

As the club celebrated its 75th anniversary Aug. 21, members looked back on their years of service and the many projects they’ve completed in the area.

“I think we’ve made an impact,” said Dave Mauer, a 40-year club member.

While there are some older clubs in Wisconsin, Mauer said, it is rare for a Lions group to last as long as the Grafton chapter.

“Seventy-five years, that’s pretty special,” he said.

Bob Lauer, a 35-year member, said that  through the years club members have acted selflessly in the pursuit of bettering their community.

“We’re community-minded people, and every penny we collect goes back to the community,” he said.  

The local club was founded in 1937 in the “Old Grafton Hotel,” now called Hotel Grafton Apartments, according to club records. While holding regular meetings through World War II, the club discontinued gatherings for a period after the war before reforming its current charter in 1946.

Membership in the first year totaled 23. At that time, the cost of a meal at club meetings was just $2. The budget report at one meeting in the inaugural year showed a balance of $3.
    One of the clubs earliest projects was initiating discussion on preserving Lime Kiln Park’s signature kilns in 1963.
    Club fundraising initiatives also helped establish the Grafton Medical Clinic, which operated from 1973 to 1986 before the property was sold. Proceeds from the sale were donated to fund a scholarship program for Grafton High School seniors that operates to this day.

 The Grafton Lions have consistently developed new fundraising plans to support community initiatives including the annual chicken barbecue — which started in 1976 and has recently generated between $7,000 and $8,000 each year — light bulb sales and a pancake breakfast, which started in 1985.

The fundraisers continued to grow over the years and even branched out to the operation of a concession stand at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee — efforts that generated additional revenues to help purchase a baseball scoreboard for Grafton High School.

 The club was also influential in founding and making improvements to Grafton Lions Park, which sees regular upgrades thanks to club donations.

Mauer chaired efforts in securing the park’s namesake on behalf of the club by fundraising $75,000 in the course of a year.

He continued fundraising, which paid for the park’s playground, pavilion and a number of trees throughout the property.

 “It was great to see some things improve,” he said. “It’s something that will be around a long time.”

In 2010, club members began transporting eye tissue to the Lions Bank of Wisconsin and to local hospitals, an operation nicknamed the “Cornea Express.”

During the last 10-plus years, the club averaged almost 10 transports for every 10-day period assigned, including over 600 service hours and 20,000 miles logged.

 While the 75-year milestone gives an opportunity for members to look back at club accomplishments, it also calls for them to look forward.

Lauer said that as the club’s base grows older, it’s important to focus on bringing in younger people and continue to introduce new women members.

“We need to keep the club perpetuated,  and we need to get people in,” he said.

The club inducted its first female member in 2008. It now has six female Lions, including one serving on the board of directors.

Lauer said some of the female club members attended the National Night Out event in Grafton this year and encouraged other women to join the club. He said the efforts led to contacts with about six prospective members.

Mauer echoed the importance of bringing in young people and women members to the club for fresh ideas and leadership.

“It’s nice to have new blood in the leadership,” he said. “We’re always looking for new people.”

Mauer said that while the pandemic caused a drop in membership, activities and fundraising last year, he expects 2022 will be an especially strong year for the Grafton Lions Club as normal operations return.