*This story has been changed from the original.

After about 44 years of service, the Renton Lions club will no longer sell hot dogs at the Renton Memorial Stadium concession stand.

“It’s kind of a heartbeat of the Renton lions club,” said club president Rosemary Richert, welling with tears. “It was our major fundraiser.”

The Renton School District decided not to renew its contract with the club, after years of community encouragement to find creative ways to increase income for the district, said spokesperson Randy Matheson.

High school Association of Student Body (ASB) groups plan to take turns running the stand. The money raised will directly benefit student activities.

Under the contract, 7.5 percent of the sales went to the district, Matheson said.

The Lions Club raised about $24,000 annually with the booth, Richert said. “We’ve done so many wonderful things with it.”

In a goodbye flier, the club listed about 20 organizations and projects that have been funded with the money from providing reading classes for children to donating money for Haiti relief.

The money was also used to maintain the Renton Lions Memorial Youth Camp, a private park along the Cedar River used by youth groups during summer months.

In addition to being the club’s largest fundraising tool, the stand was also a way for its 59 members to connect with residents.

“It’s been such a great way for our Lions Club to see the community on a regular basis and interact with them,” Richert said. “We honestly love the concession stand.”

The club is busy cooking up new ideas for fundraisers, including a hot dog stand at the Renton Farmers Market and a road rally and salmon bake at the youth park.

“We’re kind of scurrying here,” she said, adding the club’s last day at the stadium was June 4.

The school district is trying several fundraisers at the stadium, including selling fence banners to local businesses and event title sponsorships.

The concession changeover will also allow the ASB groups to sell team and school apparel.

The change is good timing for the district, as the stadium is between renovation phases. The track and field were replaced in summer 2009, and renovation plans for the concession booth and stadium are being made.

“We would have loved to continue our relationship with the Lions Club,” Matheson said. “As we’re looking at our continued budget cuts from the state, we have to look at ways to maximize our income.”