Working to raise money toward the purchase and installation of new playground equipment for Walcott’s Water Tower Park, the Walcott Lions Club has nearly reached their $20,000-plus goal.
Following a highly successful 49th annual fish fry last month, where they served 600 diners in four hours, the Lions are well on their way to completing another community project. This one will fill a need for some updated playground equipment in the park – a new Gametime Sensory Dome Climber – that will serve not only as a climbing apparatus, but will have inserts for children of all ages and abilities.
The dome is a 50-year legacy project of the local civic organization that meets twice a month on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Gramma’s Kitchen.
Past president Jacob Puck, who is on the organization’s board of directors, said the club realized there were just two pieces of playground equipment in the park, pointing out it needed an upgrade and a new attraction for families. The dome is expected to cost $45,000, but the Lions are working with the National Lions Foundation to obtain a grant they hope will cover expenses they can’t raise.
Puck said the fish fry is well supported by the community and is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, raising several thousand dollars.
He said the fundraiser started out as a “stag night” for guys, involving legal gambling and food. He said about 80 percent of the profits came from the gambling aspect, but that was before the gambling riverboats came to Iowa. “Over time, that percentage flipped,” he said.
Puck says the community rallies around the fish fry, pointing out the group fried over 500 pounds of fish this year. He said it’s not just the 45 members of the Lions who turn out to help that night, noting there are volunteers from the community including families of former members. “It’s just a great community event all around,” Puck said.
Another way the Lions make money is taking care of “Park Shack” concessions at the local little league and fast pitch diamonds, taking their monthly time with four other groups in town to share profits.
June 8 food drive
The group is also planning a fundraiser for the local Buffalo Food Pantry that also serves Walcott on Saturday, June 8, collecting canned good and other donations as well as monetary donations for the annual drive at S & V Fence, 1101 N. Main St., from 8 a.m.-noon.
The Lions will also soon be awarding their annual $1,000 scholarships to local seniors graduating in the area from either Davenport West, North, Assumption, Central or Durant, noting if the student lives in a local township, they can qualify for one of two scholarships to be rewarded in late June.
The Lions, who have members from 30 to 96, welcome new members who are invited to attend a regular meeting by contacting a member. The current president is Renee Curler but she will be replaced this summer by Everett Bieri, who will be flanked by first vice president John Schwarz and second VP Jordan Orcutt.
As Knights of the Blind, the Lions collect eyeglasses and host vision screening for local grade school youngsters as well. Puck said there were over 300 youngsters from Walcott, Durant and Wilton that were screened in the fall.