The Taylorville Kiwanis Club this week announced 500-dollar grants to 4 local non-profit organizations that applied for the funding, as another way to strengthen programs for children and youth in the Taylorville area.

The Christian County Toys for Tots Program at Christmas is headed up locally by Scott Campbell of Stonington and collects toys for needy families that are then given away during the holidays.  In 2023, the program provided toys to 100 families and over 300 children.

The Taylorville Junior High School “Hometown Help” Program is sprearheaded by principal Eric Bruder.  TJHS collaborates with parents and the community to provide a safe learning environment and inspires their students to be career-ready independent thinkers and problem-solvers using community resources and technology. The program held over 50 sessions last year, and the community donated snacks.

The Taylorville Federation of Police Christmas Program.  This funding allows deserving children in Christian County to receive a better Christmas holiday.  The event, held at the Taylorville Wal-Mart Super Center, allows TPD officers to assist selected families and their children zero to 12 years of age.  This program spends every dollar raised.  Last year, they provided Christmas presents to 112 children.

The Operation Loaded Book Bag program ensures that all students in Christian County have the school supplies they need to succeed in school.  Monies raised go for such things as basic school needs and calculators.  This program benefits some 200 students in the county each year.

The Kiwanis Grant Committee, consisting of chair Randy Miller, along with members Adam Jeffrey and Griffin Smock, reviewed the 8 applications received and recommended to the Kiwanis Board grants to these 4 organizations.   

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a 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.