What We Accomplished in 2021

Recap of Wellington Kiwanis 2021

By Terry Mazzone,

President

Kiwanis Club of Wellington

• We applied for and received a $1,000 KARES (Kiwanis Aid, Recovery and Economic Security) grant from the Ohio Kiwanis foundation to help us replace some lost fund-raising opportunities due to the pandemic. We used that grant as seed money to cover expenses to start our Parade of Flags program. The flags went up throughout the village over five holidays. We finished the year with 85 subscriptions. Thanks to everyone who helped throughout the year, especially the Wellington Fire District which is storing the flags throughout the year. All proceeds from this drive go towards to our signature project, raising funds for community playground equipment. We are closing in on $18,000 in our playground fund with the Kiwanis Foundation.
• We worked with Village of Wellington officials to apply for a grant from Lorain County Public Health for new playground equipment at the Recreation Park. We were able to donate $1,500 to the effort.
• We joined a Division 13 service project and contributed $300 to the Good Knights program. Our division was honored to host Kiwanis International President Art Riley on his official visit to Ohio, which included Ohio Governor Jamie Kaufmann and Governor Elect Craig Smith. Several Wellington members as well as Key Club members joined the Friday morning bed build at their headquarters in Amherst. Members of all eight clubs participated in the build. Collectively, the division donated $3,900 to the Good Knights program.
• We had to rework some plans but managed to host a virtual State of Wellington program featuring Mayor Hans Schneider and Wellington Schools Superintendent Ed Weber. A big thank you to the Lorain County Community College for allowing us to use their facilities. Hopefully, this can be done in person at the Eagles Hall again in 2022. This is a community sponsored event with all the proceeds going towards our playground fund.
• We also had to get creative with our annual Pancake Day because of the pandemic. Hoping the pandemic numbers would drop, we waited until April to conduct a drive-through. The tradition continued.
• We raised more money than ever by working the gates at the Lorain County Fair. Some non-members helped man the ticket booths with all proceeds going towards Kiwanis.
• We issued two $1,000 academic scholarships to Wellington High graduates and joined with the Board of Education in recognizing a student who contributed the most community service honors. Ironically, it was Aren Meinhart, whose parents are leaders in the local Lions Club.
• We coordinated a Back-to-School supplies drive with several local businesses.
• For the second straight year, we issued bicycle helmets to local youth. Lt. Josh Poling (and new Kiwanian) of the Wellington Police Department was able to give away bike helmets to all the students attending Safety Town.
• We participated in the LCCC Family Fest and gave away more bicycle helmets.
• We set a Morris Furcron Nut Sale record, selling approximately $12,600 worth of Peterson Nuts. Our goal was to hit $11,000 and surpass our 2019 record. We shattered it thanks to outstanding community support from our schools and businesses. We retain 50 percent of the sales.
• We issued our first four Champion of Children awards to local leaders who support children.
• We rang the bell again for the Salvation Army.
• We partnered with the Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsored Candidates Night.
• We continued to support Oberlin Community Services and distribute food packages each month to eligible residents in southern Lorain County. Thanks to Carol Burke for coordinating this effort.
• Our club-sponsored Service Leadership Programs are back up and running this school year, working through pandemic obstacles. The K-Kids and Key Club stayed active during the 2020-21 school year and are back meeting again. We thanked our K-family students with a hot dog lunch in May and kicked off the K-Kids year in September with hots dogs and snacks. With a new middle school principal this year, our McCormick Builders’ Club has restarted.

Thank you, Kiwanians, for a strong 2021. We are here for the kids. Indeed, we are making an impact.

There is strength in numbers, and we always need more members who have a desire to improve the lives of our children. Come join us. Remember it is all about the kids, because Kids Need Kiwanis.