Kiwanis membership to hold open house Sept. 24 at LCCC campus

Approaching nearly a century of service, the Wellington Kiwanis Club will host a “hybrid” membership open house at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 24.

The open house will be conducted at the Wellington branch of Lorain County Community College and virtually via Zoom, according to a news release.

Ryan Aroney, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Lorain County, is keynote speaker. His presentation begins at 7 p.m.

Aroney joined United Way in April 2011 as a development associate and was promoted to marketing and engagement director in February 2014 before assuming president and CEO in December.

He was instrumental in coordinating efforts to strengthen community engagement through targeted donor opportunities and meaningful volunteer projects, according to the release.

Prospective members can attend the session in person at 6:30 p.m. at LCCC or join the session via a Zoom link.

Community members can register to attend the meeting by accessing the club’s website (www. k01243.site.kiwanis.org) or by accessing the club’s Facebook page at KiwanisWellingtonOhio.

The Wellington Kiwanis club was formed in 1924 and is the third oldest Kiwanis club in Lorain County behind Elyria and Lorain.

The worldwide Kiwanis mission is dedicated to improve the world one child and one community at a time, the release said.

Locally, Kiwanis sponsors Wellington Schools’ three service leadership programs – the High School’s Key Club, McCormick Middle School Builders’ Club and Westwood Elementary’s K-Kids.

Kiwanis adopted a new signature project in 2020, leading efforts to raise funds for new playground equipment in the community.

It has annually awarded scholarships to Wellington High School graduates, provided kindergarten scholarships in support of the Wellington schools Endowment Fund’s College Savings program, sponsored the high school’s Community Day and the State of Wellington

breakfast, according to the release.

It raises funds through the Morris Furcron Peterson Nut Sale, selling admission tickets to the Lorain County Fair, an annual winter pancake day and sponsoring the State of Wellington breakfast.

“Kiwanis is for kids,” said the Rev. Paul Wilson, president of the Wellington Kiwanis Club. “We’re looking for new members who want to improve the lives of our children. By growing our membership, we can offer more service to the community.”

The club meets at noon on the first and third Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, 127 Park Place in Wellington.

Some members meet in person while others join from their home or office via Zoom.

Aroney