Waseca Lions building back from Covid

Even three years after the Covid-19 pandemic began, area clubs are still getting back on their feet as they recover from the global shut-down.

The Waseca Lions Club is one of many local organizations attempting to get active again. In general, Lions International is a group whose goal is to better the communities they serve. A worldwide organization, it has more than 1.4 million members.

As Waseca Lions President Steve Graff elaborated, the local group works on a larger level to support the blind, those with hearing deficiencies, diabetes, or any other health issues. “For example, if a student needs glasses, we help provide them to students who can’t afford them. The same goes for hearing aids.”

The organization also has support programs for adults.

Recently, the Waseca Lions contributed to the Waseca Area Food Shelf’s move into their new location. Fundraisers such as pancake breakfasts and golf tournaments help the Lions raise money.

“We’ve also provided dictionaries to third-graders and do ditch cleanup east of town,” Graff added.

The Waseca Lions have collaborated on projects with both the Waseca Rotary and Exchange clubs. The latter, much like the Lions, is trying to get active again.

“We hope to do more with them and the Rotary,” Graff shared.

“We’re doing more social activities that are sparking some interest,” Graff said. “We had a social gathering at the Bar on Main which was a meet and greet to explain what the Lions Club does.”

Graff is happy to report not only that membership numbers are rising, but members of younger ages are joining, helping add energy and creativity to their workforce.  

Graff feels the organization is doing a better job of marketing itself, thanks to the help of members like Tiffany Lynch. “One thing we haven’t done very well is toot our own horn,” he admitted. “You get busy with activities and you forget to tell the community about them.”

Another strength of the club is its good programs. “We bring in business leaders to talk about what’s going on in the community,” Graff said. “It’s been huge.”

Unlike most clubs, the Lions meet twice a month over lunch from September to May. They take June, July, and August off for a bit of a summer vacation.

For more information about joining the club, people can contact Steve Graff directly by calling 507-213-0745 or by emailing him at sgraff@keen.bank.