Ashley Hunter
Greene Publishing, Inc.
When the Florida District Kiwanis year began in October of 2015, the Governor of the Florida District Kiwanis, Dr. Celia Earle, announced that her service project for the 2016-2017 year would be titled “Christmas in July.”
The 26 Kiwanis Lt. Governors of Florida were dispatched to the various clubs under their coverage, with the order to put in motion a plan that would support the Governor's project.
The objective was to challenge each club in every division to reach out and identify a need within their communities and put together a plan to address that need.
For the Kiwanis Club of Madison, the need presented itself in the transient/unaccompanied students in Madison County.
Many of the students within the school district face various difficulties in receiving their education, through financial needs or lacking a steady roof over their heads. The Kiwanis Club's “Christmas in July” program focused on raising funds and presenting the money to the school district, with the direct request that it be used for helping these anonymous students.
Seeking support from local businesses, groups, and governing officials as well as the Kiwanis members themselves, the club was able to raise a total of $2,600.
Mike and Joann Von Stetina, both of the Madison Kiwanis Club, were especially recognized when the check was presented to members of the Madison County School District at the Kiwanis Club's weekly meeting on Thursday, July 28.
“Mike and Joann Von Stetina have been instrumental in seeking and receiving support,” said Kiwanis Club of Madison's Lt. Governor, Jerome Wyche. “Their efforts have resulted in both the city commissioners of the City of Madison and the county commissioners of Madison County approving resolutions to demonstrate their support of 'Christmas in July'.”
Wyche was also applauded for his own role in assisting with the program, even though he humbly attempted to downplay his involvement.
On behalf of the entire club, Wyche also expressed his gratitude towards the community for their hearty assistance, donations and efforts in helping the club provide the funds to the school district.
Paula Ginn, the school district's Coordinator of Federal Programs, External Funding and Charter School Relations, spoke briefly and thankfully towards the club and explained ways that the check would be used, such as providing gas money to students who cannot get to school because of financial need, or a hotel room for students who are facing unhealthy or dangerous environments at home. Mimi Replogle, the school district's Homeless Education Program Specialist and Superintendent Doug Brown also thanked the club for what they were doing and had done for this often unseen faction of students within the district. “We appreciate your willingness to work with us for the betterment of our kids,” said Ginn. “It takes all of us to make sure they are all educated.”
“On behalf of the school district, I would like to thank the Kiwanis Club,” said Brown. “We have a lot of kids in really dire need. It tugs at your heart strings...this will be a big help for us to help with some of those needs.”
Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Ashley Hunter, July 28, 2016
Since October of 2015, the Kiwanis Club of Madison has been working to raise funds throughout the community for a “Christmas in July” for transient/unaccompanied students in the community. Mike and Joann Von Stetina and Jerome Wyche, of the Kiwanis Club, were all instrumental in gathering the funds and making the project worthwhile. On Thursday, July 28, the Kiwanis Club presented a $2,600 check to the care of the Madison County School District for the use of the students in need. Pictured, from left to right, are: James Ray, Madison's Kiwanis Club President; Doug Brown, Madison County Superintendent of Schools; Mimi Replogle, Homeless Education Program Specialist; Jerome Wyche, Kiwanis Lt. Governor; Paula Ginn, Coordinator of Federal Programs and External Funding and Charter School Relations; Joann Von Stetina, Kiwanis member; and Mike Von Stetina, Kiwanis member.