Metea Key Club students and Naperville Kiwanis honor late friend by raising funds for Loaves and Fishes
Members of Metea Valley Key Club raised over $1,620 with the help of Naperville Kiwanis for Loaves and Fishes "Building for Lasting Impact" initiative.
The fundraiser was organized in order to honor Hal Spinka, Naperville Kiwanian and Key Club advisor who recently passed away.
Students collected donations by shoveling snow, babysitting, and helping their neighbors and families in many different ways. The fundraiser lasted for the entirety of February.
The raised funds will be used to support the new "hub" facility for Loaves and Fishes, which allows them to expand their reach to more families in-need in DuPage, Will, Kane, and Kendall counties. The donation will also result in a recognition block in honor of Hal Spinka on the Wall of Lasting Impact in their new warehouse.
Hal Spinka was involved greatly with Loaves and Fishes alongside his commitments in Kiwanis, Key Club, Hesed House, church, and Argonne National Laboratory. He was revered for his character and kindness alongside his amazing intelligence and dedication.
Longtime friend Walt Kelly described Spinka "as a kid who never grew up" to illustrate Spinka's way of developing an instant connection with the teens and kids he met. Another friend of Spinka's from the Kiwanis family, Fred Reichelt, said "No job description included the love Hal put into his responsibilities."
Key Club advisors Tye Fox and Patricia Hoffert had nothing but praise for Spinka as well. Hoffert noticed his passion for students from the beginning. She says, "(Spinka) really enjoyed being involved with our (student) members."
Fox believes that "(Spinka's) kind, gentle, and fun-loving soul is what he will remember most about him."
To honor Spinka's inspiring impact on others, Metea Valley Key Club and Naperville Kiwanis members were excited to donate to Loaves and Fishes in order to immortalize his love of and service to people in our community.
Metea Valley Key Club is a high school service club that is organized internationally. Students create and participate in service events in their community alongside the guidance of Naperville Kiwanis advisors and their teachers.
Kiwanis Club of Naperville is a hands-on volunteer organization that raises funds for local charities through yearly events, such as Pancake Festival and Peanut Days. They sponsor middle school and high school factions of service clubs that strive to nurture leadership and love for service amongst youth.