MARQUETTE — A local start-up organization is celebrating its one-year anniversary by throwing a party. And the public is invited.

The Marquette Arts & Music Wellness Lions Club will hold its celebration from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at Blackrocks Brewery on North Third Street in Marquette. MAMWLC is an official Lions Club under Lions Club International and a sister club to the Marquette Lions Club. The club is a Lions Specialty Club dedicated to bringing wellness to the community through the arts.

“Our mission began with a simple question,” said Doug Davis, president of the MAMWLC. “What if we could take the creative energy that already exists in Marquette and use it to lift people up? In our first year, we’ve seen that idea come to life, reaching more than 900 people in our community, including veterans, seniors, people in recovery, patients, families and caregivers. That has been incredibly meaningful.”

MAMWLC holds a unique distinction in that it is not aware of any other service club in the world that focuses on delivering creative expression experiences for wellness and healing.

Gary Perala, Lions district governor elect, and Davis co-founded the organization.

“Gary invited me to ride the Tour de Yoop Eh bike tour,” said Davis, reflecting on the annual summer bike tour that raises money for childhood cancer patients in the Upper Peninsula. “We talked and the idea evolved about starting a specialty club that could help many others in the community who could use a lift.”

In its first year, the club visited and performed music at nursing homes, behavioral health centers, Jacobetti Veterans Facility and others.

“To date,” Davis said, “we have delivered mostly music, yet we are looking to provide various forms of art as part of our outreach as we grow and evolve. Everybody loves music and art, and Marquette has many talented musicians and artists. It’s also a close-knit community with a generous, helping spirit.”

Added Perala, vice president of the organization: “As we head into our second year, we want to build on what we’ve started by expanding beyond music into more art-based outreach, growing our membership, and finding more ways to serve people who may be isolated, healing or simply in need of connection. We believe arts and music for wellness has limitless potential here in Marquette County and beyond.”

The one-year anniversary event at Blackrocks is both a celebration and an invitation.

“We want people to come hear some great local music and see how music, art and service can come together to make a difference,” Davis said.

A number of talented local singers and songwriters will perform, with Ashlyn Roskowski, a rising star and finalist in the recent U.P. voice contest, headlining the evening with her newly formed band – The Breakers. Roskowski also sits on the MAMWLC board of directors.

The event will also serve as a fundraiser for MAMWLC and Northwoods Airlifeline, a group of volunteer pilots who fly people who need critical care to hospitals, including children who are undergoing cancer treatment.

Money raised will be equally split between the two organizations.

MAMWLC currently has 33 members and is looking for new members who wish to support its cause.