Lions grapple with pandemic cancellations

It’s been a tough year for nonprofit groups everywhere, including the Saukville Lions Club, which like most other organizations has had to curtail many of its fundraising activities due to concerns related to Covid-19.

“Since Covid-19 has erupted, nonprofit organizations like the Saukville Lions have been hurting,” club leader Mike Krocka said. “Because no large crowd gatherings are acceptable, we have had to cancel some of our fundraising events.”

On Labor Day, the Village of Saukville and other sponsors held an end-of-summer celebration with fireworks to help compensate for the loss of the Fourth of July parade and fireworks, which were canceled due to the virus. 

Other canceled summer events included the Memorial Day parade, Live at the Triangle concerts and the annual auto show at Grady Park that benefits the Saukville Fire Department. 

The Summer Thunder Poker Run, which also benefits the fire department and annually concludes at Veterans Park downtown, ended at Between the Greens in the Town of Saukville this year.

The latest casualty is the Lions’ well-attended Green Bay Packer tailgate party that is held every fall at a local bar and includes raffles of meat and other items.

“With these cancellations, we will be hard pressed to make our budget this year,” Krocka said. “The money we make at these events helps us with our community projects and helps those in need of assistance.”

In response, the club is trying a new tactic to maintain social distancing and observe other restrictions imposed by the virus but still raise funds for its many community causes.

The club will hold a drive-through brat and burger fry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, in the parking lot at U-Haul Moving and Storage, 835 E. Green Bay Ave.

Those attending will be able to remain in their cars while picking up food. Seating will be available for anyone who wants to stay and eat.

Krocka said the group is hoping that restrictions will ease by year’s end and is tentatively planning on holding its two top fundraisers — the beer, wine and food tasting in January 2021 and its annual tiddlywinks tournament in March 2021.