GBU Life Districts

What is a GBU Life District?

A district is made up of 20 or more GBU members that get together for service, fellowship and fun! District members enrich the communities they live in by promoting GBU's four Community Pillars—Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support through events and activities. From volunteering at a pet shelter to sponsoring a little league team, GBU districts give back to the community in a variety of ways. Learn more about existing GBU districts, where they are located, the causes they support, and how you can join one.

How can I get involved?

To learn more about our districts or how you can join one, complete the form below and we will be in touch with you shortly.

Join a District

District Events

By Laqueeta Coleman August 11, 2026
Please join us for a fun Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat event! Bring the whole family and enjoy a festive experience filled with candy, treats, and community fun. We look forward to seeing you there! When: Sunday, October 18, 2026 4 PM – 6 PM Cost: Free Where: 5757 Starr Ave Oregon, OH 43616
By Laqueeta Coleman August 11, 2026
Join District 699 at the Birch Run Speedway Trunk or Treat, a fun-filled community event that attracts more than 2,000 attendees each year! GBU will have two decorated vehicles on the track, where we'll be handing out candy, stickers, and promotional swag while connecting with families and community members. Participants stroll around the track collecting treats from parked vehicles, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere for all ages. This is a great opportunity to increase GBU visibility, engage with the community, and promote the benefits of GBU in a fun and memorable setting. When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 1 PM - 4 PM Where: Birch Run Speedway 10945 Dixie Hwy Birch Run, MI 48415 No RSVP's needed. Contact District President Leo Ohlendorf with any questions at 989-295-2347 or email leoberiding@gmail.com
By Mary Koczan August 3, 2026
Join us for our monthly meeting, where we’ll discuss upcoming events and current district happenings. When: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 7 PM Where: Summerhill Social Club 514 Main St Summerhill, PA 15958
By Laqueeta Coleman July 29, 2026
Come aboard and enjoy an exciting pirate ship cruise with fellow members as we embark on a memorable journey of fun and fellowship! When: Friday, August 28, 2026 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Where: 1998 US Hwy 45 Eagle River, WI 54521 Participation is limited to the first 30 RSVPs. To reserve your spot, please contact Pamela Gliniecki at northwoodspamg@gmail.com or call 715-493-2093 .
By Mary Koczan July 14, 2026
Join us for our annual Summer Picnic as we gather to celebrate District 45's 132nd birthday and our shared history of fraternalism, community service, and lasting connections. This family-friendly event has great food, fun games, exciting prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow members. A highlight of the day will be our special recognition of local community groups and dedicated members whose commitment and service continue to make a positive impact in the Altoona area. When: Friday, August 14, 2026 5:00 PM Where: Swiss Club of Altoona 1219 Harrison Ave Altoona, PA 16602 RSVP to District Secretary Robin Kessler at 814-943-4481.
By Laqueeta Coleman July 8, 2026
Join us for a flavorful steak roast dinner complete with steak, fresh salad, a baked potato, corn on the cob, and a beverage. Grills will be provided so you can cook your steak just the way you like it. Meeting to follow. When: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 6 PM Cost: $8 – Members $10 – Non-Members Where: GAF Society Swiss Hause 3624 Seaman Rd. Oregon, OH 43616
By Laqueeta Coleman July 8, 2026
Join us for a wonderful lunch followed by our monthly meeting, where we’ll discuss upcoming events and donations. When: Sunday, November 15, 2026 1 PM Where: da'Vinc i's Restaurant 524 N. Main St. Frankenmuth, MI 48734 No RSVP's needed. Contact District President Leo Ohlendorf with any questions at 989-295-2347 or email leoberiding@gmail.com
By Laqueeta Coleman July 8, 2026
Join us for our Year-End Meeting and Celebration as we highlight our achievements in 2026 and share our vision and goals for 2027. When: Tuesday, December 15, 2026 6 PM – 8 PM Where: Zehnder ' s of Frankenmuth 730 S. Main St. Frankenmuth, MI 48734
By Laqueeta Coleman July 8, 2026
Please join us as we celebrate 100 years as a district! Enjoy a catered meal, music from a DJ, and a special program featuring brief speeches and recognitions as we honor this historic milestone together. When: Saturday, October 3, 2026 4 PM - 10 PM Dinner will be served at 5 PM Where: Anderson Enrichment Center 120 Ezra Rust Dr. Saginaw, MI 48601
By Laqueeta Coleman June 9, 2026
Join us for a fun-filled summer picnic with great food. We’d love for you to come enjoy delicious eats and good company!
Show More

Click on the downward arrow to learn more about where our districts our located, the causes they support and contact information if interested in attending a future meeting or event.

Home State Region

Great Lakes Region

Midwest

Region

Super Districts*

  • District 818-Orlando, FL

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education


    Partner Organizations: The German American Society of Central Florida.


    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Ani Braun at 407-234-6511.

  • District 45-Altoona, PA

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Hometown Hero Support, Wellness


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Unter Uns Club
    • GBU Foundation
    • PA Federation of Clubs
    • SVDP Food Bank
    • Sweet Grace Ministries
    • Dreams Go On
    • Mountain Lion Backpack Program
    • Miracle League of Blair County
    • Relay for Life
    • Brian Morden Foundation.

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Robin Kessler at 814-943-4481.

  • District 84-Lancaster, PA

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • The Humane League
    • Manheim Township Fire Rescue

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Terry W. Suter, Jr. at 717-283-3628.

  • District 87- Swiss Society of Taylor, PA

    Community Pillars: Education, Wellness Charitable Giving


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Community Intervention Center of Scranton
    • St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen
    • Women's Rescus Center
    • Shriner's Hospital

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Bruce Zahornacky at 570-702-7019

  • District 146-Johnstown, PA

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company
    • GBU Foundation
    • Circle of Support Child Adovacy Center
    • Victim Services Inc.
    • Operation Reach Out
    • Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center 
    • Sandyvale Memorial Gardens & Conservancy
    • Stackhouse Park 
    • Needy Children Shopping Tour
    • St. Vincent DePaul 

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Barbara Weimer at 814-255-4710.


  • District 291-Summerhill, PA

    Communtiy Pillars: Charitable Giving, Wellness, Education, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Lilly Recreation Association
    • Relay for Life
    • Summerhill Recreation
    • GBU Foundation
    • American Legion
    • Wreaths Across America
    • Adams Township Fire Company
    • Cambria County Youth 4-H Club
    • Wilmore Sportsmen’s Club
    • Local school clubs and parent-teacher organizations
    • Portage Food Pantry
    • St. Michael Legion Baseball 

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Tara McIntyre at 814-472-6830.

  • District 684-Brentwood, PA

    Communtiy Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Various Food Banks
    • Operation Reach Out
    • YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee
    • GBU Foundation
    • Coraopolis Community Development
    • Parkinson's Foundation
    • Wheels, Wings and Wishes
    • South Park Rangers
    • South Hills Pet Rescue
    • MADD
    • Tunnels to Towers
    • Whitehall Community Lions Club
    • Brentwood Dukes Football
    • Drop the Puck on Cancer
    • Baldwin Towhnship

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Gary Madison at gmadison1@verizon.net.


  • District 72- Mens Swiss Society of Toledo, OH

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness


    Partner Organizations: 

    • GAF Society
    • Toledo Swiss Singers
    • Logan Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund
    • Wings for Ewing Sarcoma Foundation

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Jim Tscherne at 419-277-3619.

  • District 73- Ladies Swiss Society of Toledo, OH

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness


    Partner Organizations: 

    • GAF Society
    • Jake and Cooper's Bark Park
    • Toledo Swiss Singers
    • Isaiah 117 House Resource Center

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Fran Tscherne at 419-277-3619.

  • District 699-Frankenmuth, MI

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Frankenmuth Police Department
    • Pet Angel Adoption and Rescue
    • GBU Foundation
    • Frankenmuth Jaycees
    • Mustard Seed Shelter
    • Saginaw County Commission on Aging
    •  Michigan Heroes Museum
    • Hands Across America
    • One Week, One Street
    • Birch Run Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Dan Pierce at 989-482-9020.

  • District 701-Pontiac, MI

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education


    Partner Organization: The D.A.S.V Foundation


    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Dennis Hogan at 248-330-9959.

  • District 707-Grand, Rapids, MI

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, Community Rebuilders
    • GBU Foundation
    • DABlodgett Home for Children
    • Mary Free Bed Foundation
    • Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation
    • West Michigan Jazz Society 
    • Blue Star Mothers of America
    • The Hope Project
    • Mid-Michigan Honor Flight

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Gayle Clouse at 616-540-8876.

  • District 510-Toledo, OH

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • GAF Society
    • Oregon Health and Welfare
    • Ohio Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star
    • GBU Foundation
    • The Gary Sinise Foundation
    • Tunnels to Towers
    • Toledo Holzhacker Buam (THB)
    • The Old Newsboys Goodfellow Association
    • Lucas County D.A.R.T.

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Jacqueline Martin at 419-350-6684.

  • District 810-Cleveland, OH

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Tapestry Partners International
    • Creative Living Coffee
    • Feed My Starving Children
    • Cornerstone of Hope

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Lynne Powers at 216-441-1040, ext. 2.

  • District 815-Dayton, OH

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness 


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Relay for Life
    • GBU Foundation
    • East End Community Services
    • Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation
    • Kettering Childern's Choir
    • Dayton Liederkranz-Turner

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Chris van Breukelen at 937-885-4784.

  • District 821-Sterling Height, MI

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Saxonia Rheingold Chorus
    • German American Cultural Center
    • Local senior centers
    • VFW
    • Michigan Military Museum

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact David Bohde at dsnlb02@aol.com. 

  • District 43- Swiss Society of Milwaukee, WI

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Swiss Turners
    • Swiss Society of Milwaukee
    • Swiss Singers
    • Milwaukee School of Languages

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Deanne Clare at 414-852-0876.

  • District 715-North Central, WI

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness


    Partner Organizations: 

    Friends of Town Line Lake Park

    Kiwanis Club

    Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing, Inc.


    If you would like to attend an event, please contact David Schmitz at dschmitz@newnorth.net.

  • District 1000-Lutheran Fraternities of America (LFA)

    Community Pillar:  Charitable Giving


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Lutheran Heritage Foundation
    • Compassion Pregnancy Center
    • Macomb Charitable Foundation
    • Forgotten Harvest
    • Leader Dogs for the Blind

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Glenn Penzien at 586-944-5004.

  • District 2000-United Lutheran Society (ULS)

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Shared Blessings Mission Store
    • GBU Foundation
    • Operation Troop Appreciation
    • GBU Foundation

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Lynn Kostelnik at 412-464-1488.

  • District 3000-Hungarian Reformed Federation of America (HRFA)

    Community Pillars:  Charitable Giving, Education, Wellness


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Bethlen Communities
    • Hungarian Human Rights Federation
    • American Hungarian Foundation
    • Franklin Township Food Bank
    • The Latrobe Foundation
    • GBU Foundation
    • Humane Society of Ohio Valley
    • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
    • American Hungarian Friends of Scouting (AHFS)

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Melissa Pepin at 732-668-2602.

  • District 4000-Sokol USA

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Wellness, Education, Hometown Hero Support


    Partner Organizations: 

    • New Jersey Food Bank
    • Toys for Tots
    • GBU Foundation
    • The Special Olympics
    • The Liver Foundation
    • Greater Chicago Food Depository
    • Push for Empowered Pregnancy
    • The University of Pittsburgh
    • The American Red Cross
    • The American Cancer Society
    • Wounded Warrior Project
    • The Salvation Army

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact John Kennedy at 203-948-5693.

  • District 5000-Independent Order of Vikings (IOV)

    Community Pillars: Charitable Giving, Education


    Partner Organizations: 

    • Concordia Language Villages
    • Illinois Fire Safety Alliance-Camp “I Am Me”
    • Arthur C. Luf Children’s Burn Camp
    • Great Lakes Burn Camp
    • GBU Foundation
    • The Hope Project

    If you would like to attend an event, please contact Jennifer Thissell at admin@iovikings.org.

*A super district is defined as a district that is created as a result of a fraternal merger/acquisition/other transaction or a regional district approved by the GBU Board. They typically have lodges or assemblies located throughout the United States.