Back in action: Club wants to tackle projects in Marquette
Since reorganizing in September, one of the Marquette Action Club’s projects was partnering with the city of Marquette to purchase Christmas decorations. The display in the city park and lighted trees on the levee are a result. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
A group of residents is reinvigorating the Marquette Action Club. In the last few months, the club has reorganized, launched a membership campaign and tackled community projects—continuing work that started a half century ago.
The Marquette Action Club marks its 50th anniversary in 2024, according to new club president Pat Young. It was formed after the disbanding of the long-time Milwaukee Road Women’s Club, at the urging of resident Blanche Cardin.
“She had a women’s softball team she put together in the summer, and she got the idea they needed lights at the ballpark,” Young recalled. “She got together with Mary Jo Pirc and a bunch of other people and they started the Action Club then to raise funds. They got that done in a year or less.”
“Most people in my parents’ age group were involved,” Young continued. “It was never exclusively for residents of Marquette. It was if you had an interest or wanted to help out. We’ve followed the same guidelines.”
The Action Club spearheaded countless community efforts over the years, notably sponsorship of the Fourth of July parades and flea markets under the bridge. Members helped fund park shelter houses and bring the main depot building that now houses the Marquette Depot Museum and Information Center to the city.
“They’ve been instrumental in a lot of city improvements,” Young said.
But as the original group passed away, the club dwindled down to 12 or 15 members, then only a few. Over the summer, Young and other residents—enthused by the success of a fundraiser and concert held in the bench neighborhood—met with remaining board members Darren and Christy Matthew about reorganizing.
“I think one of the biggest things that’s happened since the pandemic is everybody stayed home, stayed away. We needed something to get people involved again,” Young said. “That was a litmus test to see if we could draw people in and get people involved. It went far beyond what we expected.”
The reorganized Action Club held its first official meeting in September, with 15 to 18 people in attendance. All agreed to get the group going again, approving bylaws and setting annual membership dues at $3 per person with no more than two votes per household. Any paying member has a right to vote on projects and officers.
The group also set its sights on an ambitious first project: running the flea market concession stand the first two weekends in October.
“We had a lot of good backing for that and tons of volunteers. Made some good money,” Young said. “The whole thing drew a lot more publicity and people together. It’s steamrolled into what we’re doing now.”
Since then, the Action Club has partnered with the city of Marquette to paint the downtown park shelter, and further plans to help put in a new ceiling. They’ve supported the Mar-Mac Human Powered Trails project, helped organize the Christmas in Marquette fundraiser for the Clayton County Food Shelf and worked with the city to purchase new Christmas decorations. The colorful display in the city park and lighted trees on the levee are a result.
Young said a goal is to continue partnering with the city of Marquette, as well as other community groups.
“The membership of the Legion is down because people are passing on, and we’re planning on partnering with them on a lot of stuff, like the Fourth of July parade and other benefits,” he shared.
Another goal is to get younger generations involved.
“When my parents were involved, it was a lot of people from that generation who were all basically friends. We used to have neighborhood picnics,” he recalled, “but we got away from that.”
Working the concession stand in October reminded Young of those days.
“We were all neighbors, talking and sharing stories. It was pretty neat,” he said.
Young realizes times have changed. Most adults work outside the home, and children are heavily involved in sports and other activities.
“Being a member, you don’t have to be extremely active. If you can only help out with one or two things during the year, that’s fine. Or if you just have some great ideas to put out there,” Young said. “This is an avenue to get everyone together and get things started.”
Since reorganization, Young estimates Action Club membership has grown to 40 or 50 people. A “Marquette Community Action Club” Facebook group, which serves as a spot to share project information, meeting notices and other updates, has reached nearly 100 members.
More people are welcome to get involved. Membership forms are posted in the Facebook group and available at Marquette City Hall and the post office or from members. The Action Club will meet next in January.
“It’s nice to get people involved again, and I think everyone who’s joined and is active now is excited about it. While we were decorating the park, we had people come up to us wanting to know how they can help, how to join the club. That’s one of the reasons we made the membership fee $3 for a year. It’s reasonable. You can’t hardly buy a soda for that anymore,” Young said. “Going forward, we’ve got a lot of really good ideas for projects to benefit the town. We want to help the city on some of these projects that just need a little boost.”
