ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K held its annual awards banquet Thursday evening at Hickory Grove. Members, their spouses and widows of past members attended the event, which served not only to honor members who have shown exemplary patriotism to their club, but also the efforts they have shown in their service to the community.

The Golden K, much like the Kiwanis across the nation, focuses on changing the world by serving children. In a combined effort with the Rochelle Kiwanis Noon Club and Kiwanis Golden K, Rochelle Township High School Key Club president Mason Lamb presented Bryn Kissack with a scholarship to attend Camp Independence in Chicago’s northern suburbs. Kissack plans to attend the camp this summer, which is specially designed to assist children and young adults with Spina Bifida. Kissack, also crowned Little Miss Peanut in 2016, attended the camp last summer and is excited for the return visit.
“It was so much fun, I did so many fun things, met new friends,” Kissack said. “We did arts and crafts and went on a canoe.”
Aptly named, the camp helps to promote independence during the weeklong program.
Student clubs
The Kiwanis Golden K sponsor several student clubs including RTHS Key Club and the Rochelle Middle School and Creston School Builders Clubs. Golden K member Dennis Swinton presented an appreciation award to Key Club Advisor Danae White and club president Lamb, also acknowledging the club’s achievements and projects.

“This year we have 40-plus members and this year 23 and two advisors will attend their district convention for a weekend,” Swinton, who is the club’s advisor alongside White, said. “Among projects completed this year is Peanut Day, Salvation Army Bell ringing, selling Fannie Mae candy, Operation Christmas Child, Spastic Paralysis Research Foundation, and the Smash-A-Car event.”
Golden K members Hugh McDermitt and Bill Woska presented appreciation awards to Marcie Bruhn and Vickie Graff, advisors of the RMS Builders Club, along with co-president Melanie Gonzalez and Sierra Ramos.
“The 36 members of the Builders Club participated in the recent Kindness Week at the school by making positive post-it notes, encouraging kindness and to be friendly to one another,” McDermitt said. “They also organized the lost and found items, cleaned the cafeteria, and held a fundraiser to benefit the Northern Illinois Food Bank.”
Golden K member Larry Wing, advisor to Creston School’s Builders Club presented awards of appreciation to Tina Samo and Jackie Muraira for their efforts in assisting the students. The Creston club, in its third year set a goal of $300 from selling raffle tickets at the home basketball games, which will help feed starving children. They surpassed their goal, raising $400. The group, consisting of 26 members, will be traveling to Aurora next week to assist in packing meals.

Walter Zeller awards
Golden K member Wendell “Pal” Colwill explained more on the origin of the Walter Zeller award, this year given to five members. Those include Dean Herrmann, Ken Esgar, Hugh McDermitt, Bill Woska, and Bob Elliott.

“In 1940, one year after the Kiwanis International Foundation was established, Walter Zeller made the first donation of 25 Canadian silver dollars. He hoped this would turn into the foundation’s nest egg,” Colwill said. “To date, the money raised for the “Eliminate Neonatal Tetanus” project has reached $107 million of the $110 million goal.”
Colwill proudly honored the five recipients of the award for their commitment and helping with the program’s success.
Golden K member Jim Winterland was awarded the George F. Hixson Fellowship award for his contributions to the club, mainly assistance with computer data after member Jim Busse died. The organization established the award in 1983 to honor and recognize people who have contributed significantly.
The final award of Kiwanian of the Year was given to Larry Wing.
During his presentation, Colwill said the Golden K successfully raised $4,500 from the Pancake Day event. Over $8,000 was raised through the Salvation Army bell ringing during the holiday season.