Kiwanis’ ‘mini-grants’ help Sequim area children

Mini-grants from the Kiwanis of Sequim-Dungeness recently went out to several local groups and businesses to help make children’s lives better in the Sequim area.

Treasurer Philomena Lund said the club had a larger-than-normal balance in its service account from its water filter sales because many activities the club would support have been canceled by the pandemic. So, club members opted to help the community through mini-grants.

Twelve agencies/groups received funding and were notified on May 1 and invited to a check presentation on May 4 at The Big Elk Restaurant in Sequim.

“It was indescribable to see not only the variety of groups whose main focus is children, but the need they have for funding,” Lund said.

“Who would have thought ‘safety plugs’ or a ‘refrigerator for produce’ would generate interest, but then that’s the beauty of it. Now all of those individuals and agencies can be lauded for the role they play in the welfare of children in Sequim.”

Recipients included:

• Bibity Bobity, for a sunshade on the playground for a fun and safe outdoor learning environment

• Clallam Mosaic, for care bags to help individuals better take care of their own needs

• Connie’s Kids Preschool and Childcare, to help with supplies and workbooks for children

• Clallam County Juvenile and Family Services, to help juvenile programs with rewards for positive behavior

• Community Quilts, for supplies to create quilts for children in traumatic and/or unwelcome transitions in their lives

• Concerned Citizens, to purchase individualized equipment for children with serious physical limitations

• First Step Family Support Center, for safety equipment, such as outlet plugs and cabinet locks for low-income families

• Five Acre School, to help create a safe play environment for students during the pandemic

• Greywolf Elementary’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), to provide books on many forms of diversity for each classroom

• Little Free Pantry, for a refrigerator to keep food fresh for families who need assistance with food

• Olympic Peninsula Healthy Community Coalition, to help children focus on “whole health” of their mind, body, spirit and community

• Parenting Matters, for building bins to stimulate creativity in children with questions, such as “What if” and “Will this work?”

• Sequim Little League, for league-branded face masks to all players as part of the season uniform

Kiwanis is a world-wide service organization focused solely on the needs of children.

For more about Kiwanis of Sequim-Dungeness, contact Lund at 360-477-4742 or philomenalund@wavecable.com.