History

In the fall of 1937, Mr. Leo Affeldt came to Grafton representing International Lions Clubs. The matter was discussed with a number of businessmen of the community.  After a number of informal meetings,  the required number of members (twenty-one) were found to start the Grafton Lions club.   The first Charter night meeting was held on Wednesday, February 2, 1938 at the Grafton Hotel @ $1.50 per plate.   Mr. A. H. Mintzlaft was elected President and Carl J. Erdmann the Secretary, Treasurer and Bulletin Editor. 

As with any new organization it had its rough times during World War II and the club went dormant.  In 1946 Chester Bell, the district governor of 27A at the time, came to Grafton to get the club started again.  Most of the old members got together with a few new members and 23 members were available for a second Charter night.  Due to the lapse of time it was thought best to issue a new Charter and the Washington Park Lions Club of Milwaukee was the new sponsor.  Charter Night activities were held at the Cedars in Cedarburg on August 26, 1946. Carl Erdmann was the first President of the newly organized club and Ralph Houseman, Secretary, Treasurer and Bulletin editor.

Today the Grafton Lions club has 100 active members and last year donated over $25,000 to a variety of local, state and international charities.