Aktion Club ended 2018 with some exciting awards!

2018 proved to be an exciting year for the Kiwanis Aktion Club of Licking County.

When a group of members decided to get in front of the camera to share their recent accomplishments, they had no idea that their message would reach far beyond Licking County.

In the fall, members of the club found out that their video, “Ability in Action” was awarded first place in the inaugural 2017-18 Kiwanis International Aktion Club video contest.

Members of the club and members of the Kiwanis clubs of Newark and Granville recorded the video at Buckeye Media Services in Gahanna on Sept. 17 and submitted it to Aktion Club International.

The club received a trophy and certificate for winning first place.

“It makes me feel proud (to win),” said Carl Gruber, Aktion Club president. “It shows that our club is growing and we are doing stuff.”

Both Aktion Club International and the Ohio District Kiwanis have shared the video through emails and postings on their websites.

It has already had a positive impact, directly inspiring a fundraising effort to start a new Aktion Club in Virginia, said Brynn Schaadt, a Circle K member at Virginia Tech who is the daughter of Sally Schaadt, the immediate past president of the Granville Kiwanis Club.

James Minter, owner of Buckeye Media Services, assisted the club with the creation of the video.

Minter, of Westerville, is a past Kiwanis lieutenant governor for the region that includes Licking County, and was very familiar with the club’s engagement in the community.

“Working with the Aktion Club of Licking County was a true pleasure. We appreciate everything they do in their community and the lives they’ve touched in a positive way throughout Ohio and around the world,” Minter said.

Kim McClain, one of the Aktion Club members who participated in the video shoot, said she enjoyed the opportunity to promote the club.

“Being in Aktion Club is great, because we have fun while helping others,” she said.

One of the service projects highlighted in the video was the Aktion Club’s successful food drive for the Food Pantry Network of Licking County.

The club planned and executed the food drive in early 2018 under the direction of Past-President Kyle Gossett, collecting 397 food items and $120.

Feeding hungry children was identified as a statewide priority under the 2017-18 Ohio District Governor Dan and Barb Litzinger. Based on this, the Ohio District Aktion Club presented the club with its top award — the Thomas E. Crawford Service Award — for the food drive project at the 2018 District Aktion Club Convention on Aug. 25.

The award winning video can be viewed on the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities Youtube channel.

Looking to 2019
As they look to the new year, members of the Aktion Club are continuing to partner with Kiwanis clubs to support their fundraisers and activities.

The club is always looking for new members and opportunities for service projects. Meetings are in the evening on the second Tuesday of each month.

If you would like more information about joining, please contact David McManus at the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities at: david.mcmanus@lcountydd.org.