Aurora Kiwanis give children new books

On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora again gave a helping hand to the children of Aurora at the Project Unity/Communities in Schools' 20th annual Back-to-School Fair.

Some 800 family units come to the John R. Harkness Family Center. The club gave away some 2,700 new Scholastic children's books.

Each of the preschool to high school books had a donation sticker, stating that the book was donated by the Kiwanis Club of Aurora.

For the 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. event, the club supplied a dozen volunteers. Christina Campos helped head-up a bilingual translation team. Club president Larry Frieders and John Ross provided leadership for the day.

In addition to a new book, children picked up school supplies, received social service information, and were provided health care opportunities. Some 35 social agencies participated in the event. Scores of community volunteers helped and many were greeted by Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Congressman Bill Foster.

Organized on Sept. 20, 1916, the Aurora club was the first club in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District and the 21st club chartered in the world. Since that time, Kiwanis has grown to over 8,500 clubs and membership in excess of 320,000. Kiwanis is in over 90 nations or geographic areas. The Kiwanis Club of Aurora currently has more than 100 members.