St. Charles Kiwanis donate $10,000 for accessible playground equipment

A $10,000 donation from the St. Charles Kiwanis Club to the St. Charles Park District at their April 23 Board of Commissioners meeting will make an accessible swing a reality in River Bend Community this summer.

In 2020, a wheelchair-accessible swing is planned for Pottawatomie Park, with additional accessible swings slated for other parks in the future. The wheelchair-accessible swing is a first for the community, avoiding wheelchair transfer while swinging.

"Kiwanis strives to make a difference in the lives of children - it's our mission and who we are as an organization," says St. Charles Kiwanis Club President Jonathan Gripe.

The donation is funded by the Kiwanis Signature Project, which seeks to help the community's children in an ongoing and more permanent manner.

Kiwanis fundraising supplies the monies donated by the Signature Project.

Local businesses and organizations are invited to participate in a "Tug of War" competition during the Heart of the Fox Run and Tug from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 15, at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles. Create an eight-member team to compete for a trophy, recognition, and bragging rights as the Fox Valley's "strongest" in their respective categories.

Cost is $10 per team member or $5 for ages 12 or younger. For information or registration, visit www.heartofthefox.com.

Proceeds will benefit the River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles and the St. Charles Noon Kiwanis Club.

The mission of Kiwanis is to serve the children of the world. For more information, or to donate, visit www.kiwanisofstcharles.org or www.facebook.com/StCharlesKiwanis/.

The club meets at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave. in St. Charles. For membership information, call Diane DeWitte at (630) 377-7402. Kiwanis @ Night will be 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 13, at The Office, 201 E. Main St. in downtown St. Charles.