The Fort Atkinson Lions Club has announced that Michelle Ebbert was honored recently with the Birch-Sturm Fellowship.
According to information released by the club, the fellowship was created by the Wisconsin Lions Foundation to honor “Lions,” “Leos,” and “non-Lions” who exemplify undying dedication and commitment to the work of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, and the humanitarian efforts it supports.
Ebbert, who has been a member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club for “several years,” according to the release, was chosen for the honor based on her dedication and commitment to the organization.
She was presented with the honor by Tom Emrick, who, the release stated, is a past Fort Atkinson Lions Club president and chairman of the Birch-Sturm selection committee.
The presentation was made in April.
The fellowship is named in honor of Wisconsin’s only international presidents, Frank V. Birch and Clarence L. Sturm, the release stated.
Prior to joining the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, Ebbert was a charter member of the Milton Lions Club, during which time she served as club membership chairperson and treasurer.
As a member of the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, Ebbert serves as financial secretary and club treasurer.
In Addition, Ebbert initiated and has served a chairwoman of the club’s March Madness calendar raffles, the release noted.
She also initiated the Brat and Curd Fry fundraising event in 2022, which, according to the release, was the group’s first public event following the lifting of the statewide “Safer at Home” order put in place as a COVID-19 precaution.
Ebbert will next be organizing a Harley Davidson Motorcycle Raffle with help from John Dawson of Fat Boyz in Fort Atkinson. The cash and motorcycle drawing will be held June 24, according to the release.
Ebbert also is credited with attending district and other area Lions Club events, which allows her to share new ideas with the Fort Atkinson members, the release noted.
As an honoree, Ebbert’s name has been added to the official fellowship record and will be displayed on a master plaque in the office of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation at the Lions Camp in Rosholt.
During the ceremony in April, Ebbert was presented a plaque, lapel pin and patch for her club vest, identifying her as a recipient of the Birch-Sturm Fellowship. Ebbert is the first female Birch-Sturm Fellowship recipient honored by the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, the release continued.
Several members of Ebbert’s family were in attendance during the presentation, including her husband, Brad, and the couple’s daughters Shauna, 12, and Nora, 9, along with her parents, Peg and Jim Bestul, and friends, Shannon Statz and Lisa Trebatoski.
Former Fort Atkinson Lions Club President and Chariman of the Birch-Sturm Selection Committee Tom Emrick, from left, Birch-Sturm Fellowship recipient Michelle Ebbert, and Fort Atkinson Lions Club President Mason Becker gather in April during a ceremony held in honor of Ebbert. Contributed photo.
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