There's a mafia in Springfield. They aren't organized to commit crimes, instead donating to save an ailing pension fund. Members of the “Metro Mafia” meet once a week for lunch at the Metropolitan Grill.

On Wednesday a note hung on the door of Metropolitan Grill reading “Closed Private Party.” Inside “mafia” members chatted over dishes and drinks. Cars with small red circular stickers with M’s filled the parking lot. “Metro Mafia” members donned matching shirts. "It’s just a bunch of business men who get together for lunch and we decided we wanted to get behind something," Metropolitan Grill Owner Pat Duran says.

The group decided they wanted to raise money for a charity. They chose an unlikely cause, the police/fire pension shortfall. "We've raised about $5,000 and we expect to have $10,000 by the end of the year," Duran says. “We’ll do fundraising events like golf outings and BBQ's to raise more." The city of Springfield does accept gifts but usually in the form of land for parks. "The city charter allows us to accept gifts," Springfield City Attorney Dan Wichmer says. "Anything over $4,000, council has to accept."

The “Metro Mafia” members accept they won't be able to fix the $200 million dollar shortfall. "We all know how deep the hole is, we just want to fill it with a little dirt,” Duran says. “It’s a gesture to these police and fire fighters to let them now that we do care."

Proceeds from the $100 dollar membership fee and lunch will go into the fund. "If it catches on that’s great,” Duran says. “Maybe more people will get behind it."

Mayor Jim O’Neal is a shirt wearing member. So is the chairman of the Police-Fire Pension Fund Citizen's Task Force. "It wasn't about the politics,” Duran says. “We don't want to focus on how the pension got to where it is. We just want to help now that they are there."

The $5,000 donation is a restricted donation that will have to go toward the pension fund. The pension board will determine how they will invest it based on its guidelines.