Eight people whose volunteer contributions have positively impacted West Hartford children will ‘Shine as Stars for Kids’ at the Kiwanis Club West Hartford Foundation’s awards program.

Submitted by Kiwanis Club

In the Kiwanis spirit of making a difference one child at a time, the Kiwanis Club West Hartford Foundation will be holding their 5th Stars for Kids Awards Program on May 16, 2015. Stars for Kids is a special award evening honoring eight people in the community who have volunteered their time and energy to help children.

Recipients are chosen for their exemplary service and volunteerism in working with children in the community and beyond. Five high school seniors, a police officer, a firefighter, and a resident, receiving the Mayor’s award, will be honored.

The Kiwanis Club of West Hartford is pleased to announce this year’s eight award recipients. They are: Ronit Shoham, Mayor’s Award; Sergeant Michael Alquist, Police Award; Captain John Brice, Fire Award; and five high school seniors including Oscar Tejada (American School for the Deaf), Mary Volpe (Conard), Elizabeth (Libby) Salzman-Fiske (Hall), Shira Richards-Rachlin (Kingswood-Oxford), and Kathleen Waterston (Northwest Catholic). Each student will also receive a scholarship.

Claudia Bowles, Kiwanis Stars Committee Co-Chair said, “Our Kiwanis Club is privileged to be a part of such a great community like West Hartford were there are so many giving people volunteering their time to help children. With so much great volunteer work being done, the selection process was difficult. We are excited to be able to honor eight people in the community and to offer five scholarships to deserving high school seniors at this event.”

This year, the award event will be held at the American School for the Deaf, Ward Gym from 6:30-9:30pm. All proceeds from this event will benefit community service projects such as youth initiatives, newborn safety packets and other young children’s programs, and scholarships.

The evening will include not only the recognition of the outstanding recipients but also live music from the award-winning Hall High School Jazz Combo, food, beverages, and a silent auction at which over 200 people are expected to attend. The club is delighted to have Courtney Zieller, WFSB Channel 3 News Reporter, as honorary chair and emcee of the event.

Tickets are only $50 per person in advance, $350 for a table of 8 or $60 at the door. The price includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soda, and fun. Donations and ticket payments may be mailed to Kiwanis Club of West Hartford Foundation, PO Box 271131, West Hartford, CT 06127-1131.

The West Hartford Club is a local chapter of Kiwanis International, a volunteer group with over 600,000 members in 94 nations dedicated to improving the lives of children.

For more information, including silent auction donations, contributions, placing an advertisement, or tickets please contact Claudia at 860-313-0101 or email [email protected]. You may also visit their website at www.westhartfordkiwanis.org.