Hiram – Kiwanis International is a service organization with clubs in 105 countries. Locally, the Hiram Kiwanis finds creative ways to serve their community through projects that help fight hunger, improve literacy and offer guidance. Guidance was what the group hoped to share when several members met with a group at Maggie’s & More last Friday evening.
For those unaware, Maggie’s in Hiram not only provides delicious donuts, sandwiches, and coffee, but meaningful employment for differently abled adults. The shop opened in 2019, fueled by the mission to create meaningful work opportunities for differently abled adults once they graduate from high school. Kenston special education teacher and Hiram resident Abra Schweickert wanted to create a place where her community could include individuals with special needs, and where differently-abled adults could hold meaningful jobs. In fact, the MORE in the business’s name is an acronym for Meaningful Opportunities Reaching Everyone.
And that acronym motivated Kiwanis President Rob Dempsey, Treasurer Brian Summerlin, and former President Dottie Summerlin’s attendance at the evening event, dubbed Fun Fridays, where Maggie’s staff, friends, and family members gather for social activities and service opportunities.
Last Friday, in honor of Thanksgiving, attendees had the opportunity to make thank you cards for customers and supporters and share their favorite thanksgiving foods while enjoying donuts and fritters. In addition, the group learned about the Kiwanis Aktion Club, the only community-service club for adults with disabilities. Over the course of the evening, the group at Maggie’s agreed to form the first Aktion Club in Portage County.
A Kiwanis program, Aktion Club’s mission is like Maggie’s mission in that it allows members to develop skills by serving their communities. After shadowing local Kiwanis members to find out what a group president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer does, Maggie’s individuals will determine what role they hope to play in the newly formed Aktion Club. Once officers are elected, the group will meet regularly, hold events, and undertake service projects on their own and in conjunction with local Kiwanis members.
Maggie’s staff and friends have many events and activities scheduled throughout the holiday season, including serving donuts at a holiday concert, cheering at a local basketball game, and decorating the Hiram Christian Church Fellowship Hall to prepare for the Kiwanis Pizza with Santa luncheon. And according to Schweickert, they’ve already got an idea for their first Aktion service project – an advent food donation drive for the local food bank.
To find out more, visit the Maggie’s & More Facebook page, or stop in during business hours.
