By Amy Roth –
Twice a year, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora presents grants to non-profits in our community that are doing good work for children.
Last week, representatives from 10 organizations attended the Kiwanis noon meeting at Prisco Community Center to say thank you for the grants and to let Kiwanians know how the funds are being used.
During the fall cycle of grant-funding, the Kiwanis Foundation had $7,500 in grants to disburse.
Following are the non-profits that were grant recipients and the projects the funds will support:
• Association for Individual Development (AID). Expressive therapy sessions through the Children’s Mental Health program.
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum. Engaged learning program about firefighting and fire safety for children.
• Breaking Free, Inc.. Six-week nurturing parent program aimed at child abuse prevention.
• CASA Kane County. Suitcases, gift cards, and incidentals for children going into foster care.
• Charity Blooms. Grows vegetables to be distributed through Aurora food pantries.
• Jesse “The Law” Torres Boxing Club. Transportation for an after-school program with District 131.
• Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry. Support for a food pantry within East Aurora High School.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank. Backpack program to supplement weekend meals for children in need.
• Public Action to Deliver Shelter (Hesed House). Counseling for children and parenting classes for homeless clientele.
• Simply Destinee – Music Saved My Life. Creation of a PSA video for anti-bullying and suicide awareness campaigns.
An application for grant-funding is available on the Kiwanis Club of Aurora website (Look for the “Grant Application” heading). The deadline to submit is April 1.
The following representatives of the named nonprofits gave reports during the meeting: Malaina Hanke, AID; Brian Failing, Aurora Regional Fire Museum; Sarah Schilling and Nikki Lay, Breaking Free, Inc.; Gloria Kelley, CASA Kane County; Robert Vaughan, Charity Blooms; Uni Torres-Camacho, Jesse “The Law” Torres Boxing Club; Diane Renner, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry; Hester Bury and Chelsie Coren, Northern Illinois Food Bank; Bruce Bachmeier, Hesed House; Liza Oliva, Simply Destinee.