Kiwanis News
Kiwanis International’s motto states,”Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.” Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis members are dedicated to doing just that.
In addition to the various items in our budget supporting such groups as SOUL Ministries, Valley Interfaith Ministries, Matthew 25 Ministries, Ronald McDonald House and others, the club focus is directed, in large part, to supporting students in the Winton Woods School District. Recent projects include support for the High School Ensemble to travel to China for the Olympics, purchase of new band uniforms, sponsorship of Key Club and annual scholarship awards to seniors in the District. Each month the club recognizes a boy or girl with the student of the month character award. This is good, but we felt more could be done to reach a greater number of students.
In a recent talk to the club, Hamilton County Coroner Dr. O’Dell Owens urged the club to find a way to keep young children engaged in school and learning and to let them know the community cares about them. We agree.
The Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis believes that one way to foster an appreciation for education and a love of reading in young children is for them to have a book of their own. The club also wants to show the young students that the community cares about them and wants them to do well in their studies.
The award-winning book, “Stellaluna”, was recommended by Winton Woods Elementary principal Steve Denny. It tells the story of Stellaluna, a fruit bat, who is separated from her mother and is adopted by a nest of birds. While telling a wonderful story about similarities, differences and adapting, it teaches quite a bit of science about attacking owls, the differences between mammals and bats, and the habits of bats. The scientific notes at the end of the book should fit nicely with the science theme and the labs at the elementary level.
At an assembly on Thursday, December 17, members of Greenhills-Forest Park Kiwanis were present when club president Jim Lawler presented sufficient copies of “Stellaluna” to the school so every child in third grade can have their very own copy of this educational book.
