March 9, 2015 at 4:55 p.m.
Community members gather to support youth during Kiwanis Winter Escapes
Community members gather to support youth during Kiwanis Winter Escapes
By Kayla Thomason-
Approximately 200 people attended the 2015 Winter Escapes event.
Guests enjoyed silent raffles, a paddle wheel raffle and several games.
"(The Winter Escapes are) a lot of fun," Kelsy Bontz said. "It's something nice to do on a cold winter night and get together. There's a lot of camaraderie, lots of prizes (and) good food."
Bontz and her husband, Alex, have attended to two Winter Escapes.
"I think being good community members (is what I like about the Winter Escapes)," Alex Bontz added. "That's one nice thing about this community - everyone supports each other and if something's in need everyone is willing to support that."
Dawn Pearson has been a regular guest at Winter Escapes.
"I enjoy it, it's fun, I look forward to it every year," she said. "I enjoy it because I know every dollar I'm spending goes right back here."
The money that Kiwanis raises at the Winter Escapes benefits the youth in the community through scholarships, projects and funding.
"All of our money goes to the youth of Oneida County for all of our various projects that we do," said Martha Knudtson, president of Kiwanis. "It's what makes it possible for all of the scholarships we do and contributions to other youth-orientated organizations."
Some of Kiwanis' recent projects include the lit basketball court by Central Intermediate School and the greenhouse project at the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry.
Kiwanis has three to four hands-on projects and around 50 outlets receive donations each year.
"Over the 28 years we've generated over $300,000 of income for the community," Dave Havel, emcee and co-chairman said. "We've donated it all back in for our projects and for our contributions to the community so it's been great."
Kiwanis is currently working on something with the Parks and Recreation Department, according to Knudtson.
"The parks are a big thing for us, when any family drives into town that's the first thing that kids look for so we want to make ours as appealing as possible," she said.
The club is considering a project involving ground cover.
"I think the playgrounds in town are definitely used by many children including our nieces and nephews, the basketball hoops too, those are a lot of fun for everybody to play on," Kelsy Bontz said.
The Bontzes have several nieces and nephews in Rhinelander who use the playgrounds, so this fundraiser will benefit them.
"I think we just need to continue to support the youth of our community because they are our future," Kelsy Bontz said.
Many members of Kiwanis enjoy helping the youth and feel that their efforts are appreciated.
"I think (the youth are aware of what Kiwanis does) because in addition to what we contribute, we invite high school students to each and every weekly meeting we have," Havel said. "I think they're very involved and know what we do and I think they very much appreciate what we do."
This year also marks a special milestone for the club.
"We're also celebrating the 100th year of Kiwanis this year too," Havel said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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