Lynn Holland is pictured with Kiwanian James Minter and Kiwanis Club President Cam Thraen.
At the September 4 meeting of the Westerville Kiwanis Club, fifth grade Wilder Elementary School teacher Lynn Holland was recognized as an honorary Kiwanian for Life. She and Kiwanian James Minter have been advisors for the Wilder K-Kids program for four years. Presently, 59 fifth graders are participating in this community service club that meets weekly during their lunch/recess time.
K-Kids is an elementary school extension of the Kiwanis Club. They raise money for the Ronald MacDonald House, UNICEF, and other charities. School community projects include: painting the library and book nooks, serving as reading buddies to kindergarten and first grade students, painting a United States map on the playground, bringing special programs such as the Columbus Zoo to the school, maintaining lending libraries in the book nooks, and supporting a Veterans Day Program for Wilder families and friends.
“Through these experiences, our students learn leadership skills and develop a heart for serving others,” said Principal Victoria Hazlett. An example of how this program has come full circle was divulged at the Wednesday evening meeting. “One of our K-Kids fathers shared that as a young boy growing up in Somalia, UNICEF provided clothes and vaccinations for him. Now his daughter, through her participation in K-kids, is able to give back to UNICEF and help others in this community as well as in his native country.”
Dr. Hazlett congratulated Holland for her exemplary efforts and expressed her appreciation for the great work K-Kids have done to make Wilder a wonderful place to learn and grow.