BIRCH-STURM FELLOWSHIP AWARD
The Birch-Sturm Fellowship award was created by the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in 1990 to honor those individuals who exemplify undying dedication and commitment to Lionism. The Fellowship is named after Wisconsin’s only International Presidents, Frank V. Birch who served in 1937-1938, and Clarence L. Sturm, who served in 1959-1960. They were both great supporters of the Foundation.
2023 Recipient: Michelle Ebbert
Lion Michelle Ebbert was honored as the most recent Birch-Sturm Fellowship recipient. She has been a member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club for several years. Prior to becoming a Fort Atkinson member, she was a Charter Member of the Milton Lions Club. During that time, she served as their Club Membership Chairperson and Club Treasurer. A career change brought Ebbert to the Fort Atkinson Lions Club where she now serves as Club Financial Secretary and Club Treasurer. She provides club members with timely notifications of club meetings, events, and updates from the Board of Directors.
Fundraising is one of her strengths. She initiated and chaired the very successful March Madness calendar raffles. Additionally, she became the chairperson of SCARP (Softball Concessions at Ralph Park) after Lion Lee Jahnke led the project for many years. Michelle initiated the Brat and Curd Fry in 2022, which was the club’s first public event following COVID.
2022 Recipient: Steve Shafer
He is most known to us as Lions, as our club treasurer for the past 13 years. His experience in the banking industry has been valuable as our clubs prepares budgets, cost analysis, and organizes disbursement each year for our various financial contributions to worthwhile organizations and causes.
Steve Schafer has been involved in many projects that have benefited the community, such as his time with Fort Atkinson youth football and baseball. He has also served on the board of directors for BASE (Badgerland After School Enrichment) program, formerly the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Atkinson, since 2008 and served for 10 years as its President. Our recipient was President during BASE’s $8 million capital campaign to establish funding to acquire property and facilities to serve as a home for BASE’s operations and activities.
He received the inaugural “Heart of BASE award” in 2019, an award that is now presented annually to an outstanding individual, business or group for their achievement, leadership and vision in supporting BASE. They are dedicated to the mission, have demonstrated extraordinary civic and charitable responsibility, and their generosity inspires others. The award honors their sense of heart and devotion to BASE and the many youth it serves.
2020 Recipient: Bob Buell
Bob Buell has been a Fort Atkinson Lion for over 40 years and served as an officer for over two decades.
A member of the First Congregational Church for more than 40 years, he has served as the Diaconate and has chaired the Child Care Board, Worship Ministry, and Christian Education Board. His talents were also put to use in the bell choir, as well as the technology, radio broadcast, and livestream technician.
We have paid our membership dues to him as the financial secretary for 26 years. Just last year, he turned over the reins to another dedicated Lion.
2019 Recipient: Larry Narkis
On March 11, 2019, our club recognized Larry Narkis (center) for his amazing ongoing commitment to the Lion's motto "We Serve" with the Birch-Sturm Fellowship award.. He was presented with an honorary brick and plaque by Jeff Woods (left). His wife Mary is on the right.
The club recipients of this award are E.G. Becker in 2004, Gale Puerner in 2017, Larry Narkis in 2019, Bob Buell in 2020, Steve Shafer in 2022, and Michelle Ebbert in 2023.
