Sussex Lions Club: Serving the Community for 75 Years
Joe Gonzalez pictured with Desai and other Leo Club members. Photo from Maya Desai.
Maya Desai
Sussex Lions Club of Wisconsin has been serving our community for over 75 years, established in 1939. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with over 1.4 million members in more than 48,000 clubs in over 200 countries. The Sussex Lions mission is “to create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.” Unlike many charitable organizations, every dollar they raise through their fundraisers goes back to the public. The administrative cost of our club is financed through the dues that each Lions member pays.
In an interview with active Lions club member, Joe Gonzalez, he tells us what it means to be a part of Lions Club and why he became a member. Gonzalez explains that when he was a young kid his family was involved in parish volunteer work. His family had a booth at a festival in August over the course of six years. He states, “I never loved anything more than that, doing things for others.” Gonzalez realized at a young age he had a passion for helping others and giving back. This is clearly shown through this quote, “I love giving gifts–seeing people happy from something you have done. And I don’t need the credit for it. I don’t want the credit for it. I know that sounds corny, but it is the way I am wired. I get my thanks by doing everything I can for someone else. It is something I really believe in. I like to share what I have with others, not keep it for myself.”
Lions Club works hard to accomplish just what Gonzalez stated. In addition, he shares how his childhood and personality led him to the Lions Club and why it is so special to him. “I look at the Lions Club as having given me an opportunity to actually physically do something for other people, other than giving money. Actually doing it because I can say a lot of things, but the important thing is actually doing it. I have to do the actions to make a difference and matter in the community.”
The Lions Club, a perfect fit for the mentality of using actions to make a difference, participates and holds a lot of different events in the community. Not only do they have their own events but help support local businesses and the school by making donations or running fundraisers, but they help with funding clubs, sports, and grant scholarships to students in the Hamilton School District. Some other major events are Lions Brew, Lions Daze, golf outings, flag football, Oktoberfest, road cleanups, blood drives, Lunch with Santa, and SOS support for kids.
Gonzalez is the Chair of the Food for Needy Campaign that partners with the Sussex Area Service (SAS) Club. This event is organized to try to collect food and cash donations for SOS clients to be able to have Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Volunteers work shifts at stores such as Pick ’N Save and Metro Market to gain resources needed to provide these meals. In 2022, this event was able to raise almost $10,000 towards holiday meals. The Sussex Lions Club, in conjunction with the SAS Club, donated over $3,800 toward the Thanksgiving meal program and over $4,000 toward the Christmas meal program. The money and donations worked to help individuals and families in need enjoy the holidays. The remaining funds were given to the food pantry to help support future meals for the community. Gonzalez has been organizing this event for 5 years; he shares it as his favorite event all year. “I love and always say good morning to all the people walking into the stores. I believe that good leaders become a part of the events they organize. They actually participate and do the service.” The Lions Club has many dedicated members who are impacting the community and the people in it in a positive way.
Another event Gonzalez briefly covers is the Sussex Lions Club beer and wine tasting. Gonzalez started this event a few years ago. This event was created to raise money to be able to donate to local businesses. It also brings the community together and is a fun event to attend. This fundraiser helps support the club goal of using every cent they make to give back to the community. Gonzalez states, “That’s what is so special and neat about this club.”
The Lions Club also supports a younger version of their club known as Leo Club. The Sussex Leo Club was founded in 2004 by David Furer, a member of the Lions Club International and principal of Hamilton High School at the time. The reason for the creation was to provide the youth with volunteer opportunities. The Sussex Leo Club has transformed into much more than that, a family willing to devote itself to the community. Leo Club works in conjunction with the Sussex Lions Club, and is mainly led by a board of students that decides on charity events and fundraisers for Sussex to participate in. The club consists of students ages 12-18 who volunteer their time at a plethora of different events in the community. The Leos are determined to make an impact within Sussex and beyond, engaging in exciting events all year long.
Some of the events Leos partake in include tie-blanket making, making cards, food drives, Spooky Sussex, and Lions Daze. For more events they have done in the past, click here.
Currently the Leo Club’s adult advisor is Gonzalez. He updates the Lions Club on the activities the Leos participate in and the successes the club has. Gonzalez says, “I am always so proud to report what you guys have all accomplished and the upcoming events. Everyone at the Lions Club is always very impressed with what the Leo Club does.” When asked what Gonzalez is most proud of as being a part of the Lions Club, his answer was Leo Club. He loves getting to influence and help establish young leaders. He loves seeing younger generations gain leadership skills and make a difference in the community. In addition, he is excited for the future of the club and continuing the legacy that has been built. If you want to know more information about Leo Club check out the following Charger Press articles: Why you should join Leo Club, What is Leo Club, and Shout Out to Leo Club.
One thing is clear. Both clubs have amazing goals and objectives. They help and impact the community in numerous ways, making Sussex and the surrounding areas a better place. Serving and giving back allows you to become a more well-rounded individual with the satisfaction of helping others while you are doing it. When caring people join together and take action it’s an incredible feeling for everyone involved. Being a Lion or Leo is about leading by example, building relationships and improving the world through kindness.
