Kiwanis awards $28K in grants

A wide range of community organizations have benefited from the hard work and support of the Kiwanis Club of Evanston this year.

Youth and children have been a focus of the club and Kiwanis International for many years and that is reflected in the club’s giving history.

Students at Evanston Township High School were honored monthly for their combined athletic and academic prowess. The club annually gives two $1000 academic scholarships and has provided mouth guards for athletes through a combination of Kiwanis and parent donations for the past three years.

Kiwanis members Dr. Stamata Blanas, Dr. Scott Hopf, Paul Schmidt and David Hibbett prepare to hand out mouth guards to student athletes at Evanston Township High School. Dentists Blanas and Hopf donated their time and expertise to fit the guards. Funds to cover the cost of the guards came from club members and parents. Over 150 students have been fitted with the mouthguards.

Other groups receiving grants include the Salvation Army summer camp scholarships, Special Olympics, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra and several programs which assist elementary and middle school children through their participation in Family Focus athletic and mentoring programs.

“Community members know that the Kiwanis Club is ready to help our school children achieve through music, books, good health and play,” said Dr. Stamata Blanas, the club president. “Our partnership with the students at ETHS has enabled us to reach several organizations with hands-on help; this has enriched both the students and our members,” Blanas added.

Local grants by the club this year now total over $28,000. The club recently was cited by Family Focus and Shore Community Services as the two groups' community partner of the year.

A complete listing of Kiwanis grants is available on the group's website.