Local group resumes Kiwanis Club meetings

Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana; Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service and community-minded men and women who support children and young adults around the world. More than 13,000 clubs in 79 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities. Make that more than 13,001 clubs, after a group of people in the Onaway area decided to restart a Kiwanis Club.

As far as anyone can recall, the last time Onaway had a Kiwanis Club was more than a decade-and-a-half ago. The Onaway Kiwanis Club banner had been donated to the Onaway Historical Museum and was being stored in the vault at city hall. ?The last award I saw on the banner was in 1989, but I really don?t have much more history than that,? said Wendy Brooks, Onaway Elementary School principal, who has been spearheading the effort to resume the activities of the club. The banner was rolled out and on display as a new chapter in the history of the club was written.

ABOUT 20 interested members gathered Wednesday in a meeting room at Stoney Creek Restaurant. They heard from representatives from Kiwanis Clubs in Rogers City and Indian River. Club meetings traditionally are conducted once a week and offer an atmosphere of fun, learning, and fellowship. Until further notice, the Onaway Club will be meeting every Wednesday at noon. ?I?m really excited about this opportunity for our community and for the children of our community,? said Brooks. ?It?s been a very positive response. It?s been so exciting. ?We?ve had people say ?I?m so glad to hear that there is a Kiwanis group starting because there are projects having to be run through the city.? ?

Attending Wednesday?s meeting was city manager Joe Hefele, who believes an active service organization would be a great benefit to the area.

?IT?S A GREAT idea,? said Hefele. ?I give Wendy a lot of credit for getting it going. Service organizations within this community are sorely lacking.? Hefele said many individuals and groups visited city hall with project ideas to improve the community. ?There is a group of people that raised a bunch of money for the playground equipment at Chandler Park,? Hefele said, ?and a lot of times that is something that can be taken care of by a service organization.?

Right now donations for projects are kept with city funds, because there is no group or organization to administer them. ?From this level, we are excited and pleased with Wendy?s efforts,? said Hefele. SERVICE PROJECTS often are linked to a Kiwanis program, ?Young Children: Priority One.? This initiative places continued focus on the needs of children in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills. Brooks learned of a possible l

ocal project during a recent doctor?s office visit. ?The doctor there said that they wanted to create a pediatrics room and they wondered how they could go about asking a group to help finance the paint or decorations,? said Brooks. ?I said, ?it sounds to me like you need to be a part of our Kiwanis group.? ? The nurse practitioner and office manager joined Wednesday?s session. Service projects also can address other needs within the community, such as working to stop substance abuse, helping the elderly, promoting literacy, supporting youth sports, responding to disasters, and supporting specific persons in need.

THE EFFORT to start the club started with a phone call from Rogers City Kiwanian Tom Hallaron of Presque Isle, who expressed an interest in redeveloping a Kiwanis group in Onaway. There were five core people who met with the Indian River and Rogers City reps and talked about how they could get the club moving. ?We were asked to bring the names of five people would be valuable who members for the team,? said Brooks. Wednesday?s get-together was considered a pre-meeting for the group as officers have not been elected.