Rotary of Kirkwood recently supported the Kirkwood School District (KSD) with multiple donations that will directly benefit students. Three separate donations totalling $6,000 will support needs throughout the district. 

Through the Rotary’s Community Assistance Program (CAP), which includes local funds as well as Rotary District 6060 funds, Kirkwood schools received  $2,000 to launch a new College Kickstart program at Kirkwood High School (KHS). The program assists graduates who might need assistance with essential supplies to start their first year in college. The Rotary funds purchased bedding, technology items and other necessary supplies a new college student may need to start their first year. The funds provided by Rotary will support at least five recent graduates heading off to college. The program is being coordinated by the counseling department at KHS. 

Additionally, every year the Kirkwood Rotary Club puts on the Rotary Ramble the weekend before the Greentree Festival to raise money for local charities. KSD N.O.W (Nutrition on the Weekends)., a program that provides monthly boxes of food for students in KSD experiencing food insecurity, was included as one of the recipients of the proceeds for this year’s race. At their meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10, Rotary presented a check for $3,500. These funds will go directly towards purchasing food that is nutritious, child-friendly, nonperishable, and easy to eat. 

Another aspect of the Rotary Ramble is the “School Challenge,” for elementary and middle school kids. Kirkwood-area schools compete to register the most runners. The school with the most runners registered receives $500. The winner of this year’s challenge was Keysor Elementary School.