Kiwanis luncheon honors groups that nurture kids

The mission of Kiwanis is serving children, one child at a time. At last Thursday’s luncheon at KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino, that mission came to fruition as the group dispensed checks to organizations that help children.

Although it’s a relatively small group, members worked hard to provide “nearly $7,000 this year to help children in our community,” said President Barbara Monaco.

Their efforts are far-reaching with donations going to Polson Scholarship and Education Foundation, CASA, Loaves and Fish Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Polson Junior Golf, Mission Valley Aquatics, Polson Boy Scouts, Helping Hands, Jake’s Farm in the Dell, Code Girls, Mission Valley Boys and Girls Club, Polson Youth Soccer, North Lake County Public Library, Polson Senior Class and Special Olympics

Kiwanis board member Tim Berg presented the Kiwanis Scholarship to senior Chloe Bowen, describing her as “an outstanding young person.”

Chloe is in Key Club, which is the student arm of Kiwanis. In her application letter, she described the club as representing “what the future can look like when new generations are encouraged to get involved.”

The luncheon group also honored members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Polson Police Department since last week was National Law Enforcement Week.

There was a round of applause for Glacier Brewery’s Pint for a Purpose that raised $800 for Special Olympics. Ronan and Polson School administrators came together to offer funding for middle school band and jazz band.

Dressed in Hawaiian prints, the Polson Middle School band serenaded attendees at the beginning of the event. Under the direction of band instructor Nicholas Ross, the kids played several tunes, including “What a Wonderful World” to honor Janet Vail.

Vail and her husband, Bill, moved here in 1995 and were active Kiwanians. The Vails set up an endowment to buy instruments or to refurbish instruments for the middle school band students.

Ross said 30 percent of the eighth grader band kids wouldn’t be able to play if it weren’t for the family’s $1,000 donation each year. Their son, Dave Vail, is the Kiwanis membership chair and said the band fund is a legacy to honor his mother and father.

He also put out a plea for more members for Kiwanis, noting they are a fun group who loves to laugh and meets twice a month. Contact Monaco, Vail, Berg or other board members for more information.