Kiwanis seeks to help those in need, welcomes volunteers

UTICA/SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Kiwanis Club of Utica-Shelby Township is a community service organization in Utica whose mission is to help youth and the community through charitable works.

It’s Golden K club focuses on senior citizens and veterans; specifically, the club helps with providing medical supplies that the seniors or veterans otherwise can’t afford. Some items that the club has received as donations include canes, crutches, walkers, shower chairs, scooters and hospital beds.

According to the club, it provides help to a family in need approximately every two days. Those who know of someone in need or someone who would like to donate medical supplies should reach out to the club. The club also needs volunteers and members to carry out its mission.

Mike Tow, an official with the Kiwanis, said the club started in Utica. According to its website, the club traces its origin back to 1957.

“We decided we wanted to do something more specific for senior citizens in the area, because we would run into them delivering fruit baskets and other stuff. So we came up with the idea of supplying medical supplies and medical equipment, and that’s grown a lot. We buy it and we receive donations. Probably about 70% of the stuff we have is donated to us, and that has exploded a lot in the last two years,” he said via email.

Rich Morian, a member of the Kiwanis, said that, so far, the club has served over 200 people with more than 350 pieces of medical items ranging in value from thousands of dollars to a simple hand grip.

“I feel very blessed to be able to provide equipment directly to those in need. Most people are overwhelmed with a diagnosis of a loved one being ill, now being faced with the unknown of how to care for them at home, or in an aftercare facility. The lack of direction, frustration of insurances, the overwhelming costs are the comments we hear frequently. Fortunately the community has been so generous with donations of regular equipment and specialized wheelchairs, beds, Hoyer lifts, which we can pay forward,” Morian said via email.

He said they were able to assist one veteran with a motorized wheelchair.

“One veteran has been trying to get a motorized wheelchair for three years before having us deliver the same. A gentleman diagnosed with cerebral palsy was told his benefits would not cover an ‘iLevel’ wheelchair, but we were able to provide it. For many people, it’s the basic things, such as a shower chair, commode, medical bed, which brings hope and dignity to the family and person,” he said.

For more information, visit www.uticashelbykiwanis.org or call Morian at (248) 821-1496.