By Pam Jankowiak, Greendale Lions Club
from “LIFE IN THE VILLAGE”, Summer 2022, page 32-33.
Members of the Greendale Lions Club take great pride in planning and hosting quality, family-friendly summer festivals, that feed the community’s desire to socialize. The festivals also feed the Club’s desire to give back to the community. Proceeds from summer festivals fund many Greendale needs via its recently established foundation.
The Greendale Lions Foundation, established in 2020, was formed to support the service, mission and goals of the Greendale Lions Club through charitable giving to Greendale and the extended community. The Greendale Lions Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Through the years, the Lions Club, and more recently the Lions Club Foundation, have supported Greendale in many ways. They have supported the Village by purchasing a vision screening machine, supporting and maintaining the Lions Gazebo and Lions Park, and providing large print books for the Greendale Library. They support the Greendale Education Foundation by donating net proceeds from food sales during the School’s Out and Food Truck Frenzy events. The Lions also support community needs such as funding prescription eyeglasses for those in need, sponsoring the collection of used eyeglasses and hearing aids, and supporting Greendale youth football and St. Alphonsus food pantry. They support the Greendale School District by providing funding to the Post Prom event, GSD Daily Snack Initiative and GHS Band.
New This Year! Festival proceeds will be used in part to help fund all-access playground equipment for our schools. Stay tuned for more information!
This is just a small sampling of ways our summer festivals help provide funding and support to the community of Greendale.
Two other major initiatives the Lions have supported for years are scholarships and grants.
Greendale Lions has historically awarded five scholarships worth $1,500 each – to Greendale High School students who embrace the Lions motto “We Serve.” Applicants complete the standard GHS scholarship application and provide a service-specific, 300-word essay describing how service activities have impacted who they are, their ambitions for the future and the organization they served.
During the 2021-2022 school year, the Lions received 16 scholarship applications that were individually reviewed and scored by scholarship committee members based on various metrics with emphasis on service. As of the time of this writing, the winners have not yet been announced, but rest assured, Greendale is in good hands with the quality of service-minded applications received. Class of 2023 seniors should be sure to search out the Lions Club scholarship opportunity with their guidance counselor in early 2023.
Greendale Lions also review grant requests at various times of the year (as funding permits). The grant application – found on the Lions Club website – requires a short description of the project needing support and what impact the donation will have on those served. Grants can be from any group requesting funds – whether it’s a Boy Scout Eagle Scout project, a golf outing sponsorship or a community improvement project, the Lions are happy to review your request for possible funding.
Want to support the mission of the Greendale Lions? Come join the Lions at the Lions 4th Fest and Village Days, either as an attendee, a volunteer – or both! Visit the website for a full list of entertainment and volunteer sign-up opportunities.
The Greendale Lions Club is a busy and active service club of 70+ members strong. And we always have room for more! If you enjoy socializing, serving and making a difference in the community – consider joining the Greendale Lions Club. Find more information at GreendaleLions.org.
Photo Credit: Life In The Village, Summer 2022, page 32
Pictured: Marty & Pam Jankowiak, Suzanne & Tim Fauser