Kiwanis Club of Aurora readying for "Coats for Kids"
The Kiwanis Club of Aurora is doing what is part of its mission. Helping kids! This winter it is part of a citywide effort of getting coats to needy children. The effort is called "Coats for Kids."
The club, along with the City of Aurora, Mayor Tom Weisner, Aurora aldermen, Communities in Schools, and local businesses, have spearheaded this drive.
This year, "Coats for Kids" hopes to raise some $22,000 from the community and to distribute some 2,000 coats to needy students at the elementary through high school level at West Aurora Unit District 129; East Aurora Unit District 131; Indian Prairie Unit District 204, and Oswego District 308. Coats are going to be distributed Oct. 29-30 to some 29 schools based on a need assessment by the school's social worker.
The "Coats for Kids" program was started by 7th Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns and 2nd Ward Alderman Juany Garza. In 2009, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora President Archie Needam joined forces with the aldermen by providing funds and club volunteer efforts.
Cash donations to this year's effort may be made by going online to GoFundMe.com or by sending a check, made payable to the Kiwanis Club of Aurora, to Kiwanis Club of Aurora, P.O. Box 1551, Aurora, IL 60507.
Current club president Cheryl Vonhoff feels energized by the club's involvement in this project.
"The Kiwanis Mission is to 'Serve the Children of the World.' The Kiwanis Club Aurora strives to uphold that mission and is proud of our ongoing partnership in the Coats for Kids program," Vonhoff said. "Through the efforts of this collaboration, we will be able to, once again, purchase, sort, and deliver warm winter coats to needy children in the Aurora area.
"It is only through this dedicated partnership and through donations from businesses and Aurora area residents that this program has been able to succeed and reach as many children as we do. This year, we have also received in-kind contributions from businessmen Juventino Cano, owner of Cano Container; and Tony Ibraimi, owner of Bargain Basement," Vonhoff said. "Hopefully, this winter will not be as cold or snowy as last year's but, if it is, the children in the Aurora area will be ready for it with warm coats."
Chartered in 1916, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora was the first club in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District and the 21st club chartered in the world. The Aurora club currently has approximately 100 members.
Current officers of the club for 2014-2015 are Cheryl Vonhoff, president; Clyde Shields, vice president; Joan Kettley-Weinert, secretary; and Hal Beebee, treasurer. The immediate past president of the club is Larry Frieders.
For more on the club, visit www.aurorakiwanis.org or find them on Facebook.