Prescott Kiwanis celebrates 20 years April 4

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PRESCOTT – April will be a special month for members and friends of the St. Croix Valley Prescott Kiwanis Club. The organization will celebrate its 20th anniversary when it meets on April 4, President Mike R. Bondarenko announced.

“Our club will celebrate our anniversary by recognizing our founding and charter members, as well as inducting our newest members,” Bondarenko said. “We will rededicate ourselves to the goal of Kiwanis, which is being of service to children in our community and around the world. Kiwanis has 600,000 members in 80 nations. There are 127 clubs in Wisconsin.”

Guests of honor at the anniversary celebration will be Rev. David Roehl and his wife, Darlene, of Beulah, N.D. Rev. Roehl was a pastor in the city when he and other charter members founded the club in April 1993. He will be the main speaker and has been asked to reminisce about the early days of Kiwanis in Prescott.

Charter members who are still members of the club 20 years later will also be recognized: John Carlson, Carroll Lehman, Mavis Melstrom, Charla Magee and Michael Toninato.

“I cordially invite any former members to join us at the ceremony April 4 and catch up with the club,” Bondarenko said.

A special guest at the anniversary celebration will be Debbie Suennen Rickard of New Richmond, who is lieutenant governor for Division 26 of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Kiwanis District. She will induct members who have recently joined the club, which has about 40 members from Prescott and Ellsworth, and recognize outstanding members who have contributed to the club’s success.

Kiwanis membership is open to anyone interested in serving children. The Prescott club has a scholarship program for high school seniors, sponsors a fishing contest for children, honors outstanding high school students for their achievements and is involved in several other community service projects, including a highway cleanup.

Prescott Kiwanis meets every Thursday at noon at the Prescott Emergency Medical Services at 1603 Pine Street. Each meeting begins with lunch and ends with a guest speaker from the community. Prospective new members are always welcome!

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