Since its founding in November 1965, the Kiwanis Club of Mariemont has played an active role in community life with its mission to “serve the children of the world.” Its first president was C. Richard Heena and many other notable Mariemonters have chaired Kiwanis including Willian R. Ebelhar, Clarence Erickson, Ralph H. Smith, Arthur R. Arend, Albert A. Nelson, Rich Ewald and Paul Imhoff. Its most recent outgoing President is Barb Anderson.
Kiwanis International has over 8000 Chapter in over 82 countries. In the Greater Cincinnati area, the Mariemont Club is one of the largest and most active.
It is noteworthy that Mariemont Kiwanis was instrumental in starting the MariElders Center and has donated to it for many years. For at least 25 years, the Mariemont Kiwanis sponsored the fireworks display that was held annually on Labor Day during the times when Labor Day spelled the end of summer and the start of the school year.
The Kiwanis supports International efforts to eradicate the disease of Tetanus and collects glasses for reconditioning to send to underdeveloped countries.
To develop leadership skills and foster community service, Kiwanis supports ‘Builders Clubs’ at the elementary school level and the ‘Key Club’ at the Mariemont High School. These organizations recruit a large number of energetic students that are actively involved in a range of community services.
Scholarships for needy high school seniors are the main beneficiary from the hard work and effort that goes into Kiwanis’ fundraising activities. In the past 13 years, deserving students received over $154,000 in scholarships enabling many Mariemont High School students to go to college who otherwise would not.
The Kiwanians engage in primarily three fundraising activities. Throughout the Holiday Season, they sell containers of almonds, pecans, cashews and mixed nuts at many locations including the local commercial banks, MariElders Center, Mariemont School programs and social functions. Through considerable effort, the nut sales generate about $3,000 per year. A golf outing in the spring attracts about 15 foursomes and draws upon prizes donated by local businesses. This fundraiser raises about $5,000 annually. Finally, the main fundraiser is the fall “Arts and Crafts Fair” that is held in the heart of Mariemont and attracts over 100 exhibitors from around the region. Over 2000 visitors examine and buy the wares making this the largest Mariemont charitable event of the year. Through a raffle, advertising in the event program and space rentals, this event raises between six and seven thousand dollars annually and is the keystone to the Chapter’s ability to carry out its mission. Until seven years ago, the Mariemont Police Department graciously afforded security guards without charging the Kiwanis Club for the “Arts and Crafts Fair.” Curiously, since then following the Mayor’s instructions, the Police Department has charged the Kiwanis Club over $4,000 in the aggregate for security guards.
The Mariemont Kiwanis is always welcoming to new members. The weekly meetings are held on Tuesdays at the Mariemont Elementary School cafeteria, where at 7:30 AM a continual breakfast is served followed at 8AM by the meeting. Week over week, the quality of presenters is excellent. Click on this link for more information about Mariemont Kiwanis and you may visit this Web site, Mariemont.com, for the monthly calendar listing of scheduled speakers.