The Lima Kiwanis Club is celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by highlighting its Aktion Club, which provides adults with developmental disabilities opportunities to serve their community. Members participate in local volunteer efforts while building connections and a sense of belonging.

“The money that we raise from our fundraisers, we have three fundraisers. We take that money and we divide it up among different organizations, and all of them impact the lives of children,” said Bev Beery, community outreach chair for the Lima Kiwanis.

The weather was perfect for area car enthusiasts to enjoy hundreds of vehicles while supporting a good cause. This year, all proceeds from the car show will benefit Family Promise of Lima-Allen County. 

Seven local high school and college-aged students participated in the summer internship program, which gives young people hands-on work experience in fields of interest. This year’s interns worked in the city’s communications and parks departments, as well as with the police and fire departments. Others gained experience at Mercy Health–St. Rita’s, ArtSpace Lima and Family Promise.

“The golfers are wonderful, but they pretty much just pay for their golfing, their lunch and that type of thing,” said Bev Beery of Family Promise of Lima-Allen County. “But if we can get sponsors, that's what we really need. We need sponsors. We start at $150, which a lot of people say, ‘only $150,’ and then it kind of moves up—$300, $500 and up. But our sponsors are our main supporters that help us with the fundraising.”