One of the club's most rewarding weekly lunch meetings of the year will be held on February 9th, beginning at 11:45am at the Pekin Country Club. Throughout the year the club raised money by selling cheese over the holidays, kettle corn at the Marigold Festival, giving a dollar here and there for good news at meetings, attending events like the Patsy Cline Tribute Concert and more.
For the past couple of years the club has slightly increased the amount of money raised each year. Every penny of this money is given to various charities and groups who align themselves with the mission of Kiwanis International (To Serve the Children of the World) and more specifically the focus of the Kiwanis Club of Pekin which is “Improving the health of children by improving or promoting their mental health.”
The charities are able to apply for grants each year and request money that goes toward a specific program or area of their business that reflects our yearly focus. In the 2016 Kiwanis year the club will give $13,000 to local charities.
February 9 is the first part of these payments. The club has invited agency representatives from 8 different charities to the meeting to receive their checks. Each agency will also be given an opportunity to speak for a few minutes ho how their grants are being applied and why this is important to the overall mental health of children.
The luncheon is open to the public. Cost of the lunch to non-members is $10.
