By Angela T. Koenig
Enquirer contributor

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP - It's not just about the beer and brats.

"It's really about the heritage,'' said Mark Geers, a member of the Germania Society, one of two German-American societies in Colerain Township.

For decades, the Germania Society, established in 1964, and the Donauschwaben Society, established in 1954, have played an important role in keeping German-American heritage alive.

While Germania's annual Oktoberfest attracts nearly 20,000, and a winter festival, the Christkindlmarkt, attracts another 5,000, the organization supports the community in many other ways, said Vic Haul, president of Germania.

In addition to providing financial support to area German radio stations, the Tri-State German-American School in Northern Kentucky and the German-American Heritage Museum in Green Township, Haul said, "We provide our grounds and our clubhouse if township schools need a place to meet and for voting if the citizens need a place to vote."

Both organizations also sponsor dances, lectures and organize trips overseas.

They own their own clubhouse facilities and properties: Germania on 25acres of pristine parkland on West Kemper Road and Donauschwaben on 5 acres of similarly manicured green space nestled off Dry Ridge Road.

"We're a fairly low-profile organization. About 25 percent are second- and third-generation members, "said Joe Abt, president of Donauschwaben.

"You don't even have to be of German origin to belong. All you have to do is be interested in the society,'' said Abt.

This society's membership, about 350 families, he said, has been holding steady for the past 10 years.

"We have some members who are in their 90s who aren't active but are still members,'' said Abt.

In contrast, Germania counts its 650 members individually and cites its growth.

"We've increased dramatically over the past three years, probably about 20 percent," said Haul.

"Both organizations help preserve the ancestral character of this area," said Township Trustee Keith Corman, who is a member of Donauschwaben.

Their events, Corman said, bring a large number of people to the township, which gives the local economy a boost and exposes visitors to what the township has to offer.

"They're great neighbors - no question. You couldn't ask for better people, in both organizations," said Corman.

Donauschwaben's annual Oktoberfest draws about 5,000 and this year, on Sunday, June 8,the society is host to the annual German Day celebration, a festival sponsored by the German-American Citizens League.

The League is an umbrella organization for the more than a dozen German societies in Greater Cincinnati.

Both Colerain Township societies have Web sites: www.germaniasociety.com and www.donauschwaben.com.