The Taylorville Kiwanis Club honored their “Community Hero of the Month”, presented grants to 2 local non-profits, and heard about the many activities of the Taylorville Park District, all during their weekly meeting Tuesday at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  

Long-time Taylorville resident and minister Tom Belligante (right) was presented with the Kiwanis “Community Hero of the Month” award for his volunteer and civic work in the Taylorville community.  Kiwanis treasurer Martin Vota (left) nominated Balligante and presented him with the award.

2 Taylorville Kiwanis Club Foundation grantees were on hand to be presented their grant. 

250-dollars is being given to the Taylorville Police Benevelent and Protection Association to help fund their “Shop with a Cop” Christmas campaign which last year enabled 86 children to buy Christmas gifts.  Sargent Alan Mills (left) was on hand for that grant announcement.  Kiwanis President Brad Davis (right) congratulated the police association on their grant.

And, Chuck Martin (left), Executive Director of the Christian County Coal Miner’s Museum, was also on hand for the announcement that the Taylorville Kiwanis Club Foundation is granting 500-dollars to the museum to help them towards building the top of a simulated coal mine to educate school children on the cultural and economic importance of coal mining in the County. Kiwanis President Brad Davis (right) congratulated Martin on the non-profit's grant.

Program speaker for Tuesday’s Taylorville Kiwanis Club meeting was Bailey Hancock, Recreation Director for the Taylorville Park District, who covered a wide range of activities the District is involved in.

Hancock told the Kiwanis Club that planning is in full swing for this year’s “Christmas in the Park” in Manners Park next month.  

She added that a technical evaluation was completed on possibly replacing the Manner’s Park Pool.  Hancock added if the Park District Board ultimately moves ahead in considering replacing the now 60-year-old pool facility, grants will be an important part of funding.

Former Kiwanis President and current member Adam Jeffrey was presented with a perfect attendance award for 5 years of attending meetings.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.