The Taylorville Kiwanis Club honored 2 “Kiwanis Community Heroes of the Month” during their weekly meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge. 

Taylorville Memorial Hospital official and Kiwanis member Darin Buttz (center) nominated Taylorville Junior High School teachers Catherine Fassero (left) and Ryan Brown (right) who were both honored for volunteering to teach “Catch My Breath,” a vaping prevention program provided thru Taylorville Memorial Hospital.  

Brown also provided the program for Tuesday’s meeting, telling Kiwanis members the campaign at T-J-H-S reached over 600 students on the dangers and effects of vaping.   Brown added their efforts helped those who haven’t tried vaping to stay focused by explaining the risks, which include becoming addicted to nicotine and at a faster rate than cigarettes, putting cancer causing agents into your body, and that side effects are different for everyone.

Brown told the Kiwanis members that the “Catch My Breath” vaping prevention program included sharing with junior high students the dangers of second hand vaping, and that vaping causes increased anxiety for some.  He added that as a result of the campaign, some students addicted to vaping are now asking for help. 

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.