Lakewood First Lions Bringing Oktoberfest to Town Tonight

It’s Oktoberfest, September style.

Tonight marks the Lakewood First Lions’ annual auction and dinner,  but this year, things are going to be a bit different.

“We think the community is getting a little tired and burnt out on auctions, so what we’re primarily going to do is have fun,” said auction co-chair Larry Saunders.

Tickets to the event, which raises money for Springbrook Park, are still available and can be purchased for $25 at the door of the McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College. The festivities kick off at 6 p.m.

As for the fun, it includes an authentic German dinner complete with bratwurst, schnitzel, beer and wine, and live music by The Clover Park Five, which will continue until the place closes down. In a unique move, the silent-auction tables will be around the dance floor.

“That way, people can go through the tables between dancing – not be forced to go through them for an hour,” Saunders said. “We want people to take their time, eat, drink, dance and have a good time.”

There will also be a small live auction plus a funded item.

After all, the objective is to raise money for Springbrook Park, which the Lions took over about 14 years ago.

“We reclaimed the area, built the park, and then our focus shifted over to Fort Steilacoom,” said Saunders, the former Lakewood police chief. “We did a great job there as a community, and we’ve not given the same level of attention to Springbrook.”

Lions President Diane Formoso, the founder of Caring For Kids, said that their overall goal is to make the neighborhood “safer and better” for the kids in the area.

Saunders said that Interstate 5 isolates the Springbrook and Tillicum neighborhoods from the rest of Lakewood, and that while Tillicum has long-term residents, a community building and resources, teen center and skate park, Springbrook lacks such things.

“The only opportunity to anchor a community there right now is that park,” he said.

And that park is in need of a picnic area and a cover for the basketball court, which Saunders said accomplishes two things. Not only does a cover allow local children to use the park all year, but it also gives the community a large, covered space to hold events.

The Lions host an annual Easter-egg hunt, summer day-camp in partnership with the city, a back-to-school fair in conjunction with Caring For Kids, and a Halloween event.

And on a daily basis, Formoso said, it is important for kids to have a place to go.

“We want to make sure that the park is usable and friendly for all of the kids in the neighborhood.”

In the long run, the Lions would like to build a community center in Springbrook, but right now they are focusing on their more immediate goal. Estimates for a cover on the basketball court have ranged between $22,000 and $31,000. Last year’s auction brought in just under $20,000, so they are close to their goal.

Funds raised this year will also go toward enriching the Lions’ summer day camp at the park, and eventually evolving into an after-hours program.

“With more money, we can have more programs,” Saunders said, adding that he would like to hold a career day and bring in representatives from the police and fire departments and local hospitals. “We want them to come out and show what their careers are and give them some credible focus.”

The Lions also hope to get participants out of the park and down to Point Defiance Zoo or out to Northwest Trek and Pioneer Farm.

“If we connect with (local kids), provide them solid outlets and good adult role models, it makes all the difference," he said. "Springbrook Park already is the focus and we hope to keep leveraging a community there.”

Formoso couldn’t contain her excitement about the opportunities the auction could bring to Springbrook.

“I’m so thrilled that we’re all working together to make the neighborhood better for kids,” she said. “I’m so excited that I can hardly stand myself. I just love it.”