The Kiwanis Club of Clinton Township sponsors units of the Key Club, a student service organization at Chippewa Valley High School, Dakota High School, International Academy, and Lxe2x80x99Anse Creuse North. Volunteers host a Christmas party each year for about 200 children in the county xe2x80x99s foster care system. (Photo submitted by Kelly Jantz)
Sponsorships for the 32nd Annual Clinton Township Kiwanis Club Game Dinner will be gratefully accepted at the event, which will be held on January 26 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. The venue is Fern Hill Golf Club, 17600 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township.
“Game dinners are our biggest fundraiser and are important to the club. We typically have 600 participants and this funds the majority of our community support programs. ” said Kelly Jantz, a member of the club’s board of directors.
Sponsorships include: Dinner $1,000. Premium bar, early bird dinner, dessert, menu $750. 50/50, check-in table, $500 in package raffle. A business card size ad for a placemat costs $100. Sponsorships will be accepted until the second week of January for him. For more information, contact Kerry Jantz at 586-610-3511 or kjantz09@yahoo.com.
Janz said all wildlife food is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Donations are $80 per person, and he has a 10-person table for the event, which includes a raffle, auction, archery and guns. For ticket information, call or email RJ Koss at 586-291-2422 or rjandckoss@yahoo.com.
“There are so many things we were able to accomplish because of this dinner,” Jantz said. “We were able to add additional scholarships. Last year, we awarded approximately $22,000 in scholarships to key club members at Chippewa Valley High School, Dakota High School, International Academy, and L’Anse Creuse North. We sponsor all of our clubs and have great advisors and a large number of students who want to join our major clubs,” Jantz said.
“One of the things we are trying to do this year is to target students who are going to college or trade school rather than university. It could be for auto mechanics, it could be related to advanced manufacturing, refrigeration, or cooking. Not all students need to go to college. No. Many deals pay $80,000 to $100,000 a year, but no student loans.
“Another big initiative we do is give food to about 250 families before Thanksgiving. We distributed tons of food to our church, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Roseville, and Harvest Time Ministries food pantries in Warren. What we’ve started doing since COVID-19 is gift certificates and , give away a big box of canned goods from Meyer or Kroger. It feeds families for weeks, not just Thanksgiving Day,” he said.
He said recipient families would be recommended by school social workers.
“I’ve made deliveries at six stops in Macomb Township, and you would think that area would have high incomes and high-value housing, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.” We visited several mobile homes, where many people lived, but there was nothing there but old furniture.There was one new home with children and grandchildren living there. The owners were parents who were helping the family. If you just looked at the house from the outside, you might think, “Why do I need help?” but social workers are trying to understand who needs help. “I know what’s going on,” he says.
“Another big initiative of ours is that we host a foster child Christmas party every December and invite about 200 kids from all over Macomb County. We do it at Chippewa Valley (High School) . They come and receive presents. They choose books and meet Santa Claus.”
Providing fun to children in need is inspirational, he said.
“We just try to make it a great day for our foster children. They don’t get a lot of things for Christmas. They are in a temporary situation, but we give them gifts and The kids at the Key Club do crafts with the little ones dancing as the DJ plays music. It really gets me into the Christmas spirit every year. They are kids from difficult situations and backgrounds, but it’s great to see them doing the same things other kids are doing as normal kids. There aren’t many opportunities for children who live in poverty. Even though the economy is strong, there are still children who don’t have a proper diet. They may be homeless, which is heartbreaking in our society in this day and age. “,” Jantz said.
The Wreaths Across America event will be held on December 16th. One of the venues is Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Road, Clinton Township. Karen Strafone and Nick Strafone are coordinating the event, which decorates the graves of those who served our country in advance of the honor ceremony.
“Karen visited our club three weeks ago and we gave her a check for $1,000,” Jantz said.
Wreaths are $15 each. For more information about Wreaths Across America at Resurrection, call Straffon at 810-278-0415.
“We love what they do. Kiwanis’ mission is to help children, but there are other things we are passionate about. Children are our future, but “I’m all for anything that can be done for veterans because they are the ones who have given us the opportunity to have a future,” he said.
Kiwanian Lori Stillwell and her husband, former U.S. Marine Rowdy Stillwell, attended the wreath-laying ceremony. Rowdy Stilwell will present a wreath on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Straffon acknowledged the following Congressional recognized veterans organizations supporting and participating in this event: American Legion Post 4 and its Honor Guard. Veterans of Foreign Wars Bruce Post 1146 and Auxiliary. VFW Wood-Reid Post 6691 and auxiliary supplies. Louisa St. Clair Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154; Van Dyke Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol. Patriotic Knights of Columbus 4th Class St. John Neumann Congregation 478 also contributes and participates.
PlayPlace Autism and Special Needs Center recently received a donation from the Clinton Township Kiwanis Club. PlayPlace’s annual North Pole Walk will be held Dec. 10 at 39337 Mound Road in Sterling Heights. A day of Christmas cheer and festivities for children and adults with special needs and their families. The Roseville Optimist Club is also a sponsor. To purchase tickets for $7 each, call 586-254-6533 or visit aestheticplayplace.org/NP2023. The Kiwanis Club supports the Kiwanis Action Club for people with special needs and this year supported a new field for the Challenger Baseball League with a $5,000 donation.
Operation Christmas supports veterans and military families
The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 and its affiliates launched their annual Christmas operation for veterans and military families last week, with a sold-out annual dinner dance.
“Operation Christmas was started in 1985 to help the families and children of indigent veterans in our community enjoy the Christmas holidays,” said Gary Purcell, chapter president. “Since our inception, we have provided food to more than 6,650 families and toys to more than 10,500 children. Food includes boxes of staples, canned goods, turkey or ham, and all the supplies needed for a holiday meal. The toys are suitable for ages from toddlers to early teens.
Individuals and businesses donate new, unwrapped toys and gift cards. We have set up donation boxes in public spaces. Boxes are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the volunteer-run Veterans Support Center, 18025 15 Mile Road, Clinton Township. People can apply for leave assistance there. Donations and food box helpers are greatly appreciated. Volunteers buy and package the toys.
Veterans will be collecting toys and donations in large U.S. Army Deuce semi-trucks at the Walmart Supercenter, 45400 Marketplace Blvd. in Chesterfield, on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food and toys will be delivered on December 16th.
“Thank you to everyone who makes this chapter work every day to improve the lives of veterans and their families,” he said. Purcell was recently named Macomb County Veteran of the Year.
Send service club or veterans organization news to Linda May at lindamay@americtech.net or call landline 586-791-8116.