The Newark Kiwanis Club’s Strawberry Festival may be its most popular event, dating back an impressive 37 years, but Kiwanis support of children’s organizations started with the Club’s founding in 1918. When Camp O’Bannon was founded in the 1920s it immediately became a major beneficiary of the generous Newark Kiwanians. That dedication and vision has helped Camp O’Bannon continue providing local children ages 9-15 with opportunities to build self-esteem and form friendships in a supportive and caring environment.  

The Newark Kiwanis Club’s philanthropy includes several funds at the Licking County Foundation, established by or in honor of local Kiwanis members, such as the John Kozak Camp O’Bannon Future Projects Fund to help Camp O’Bannon with capital needs, the B. David Whiteman Scholarship Fund for local high school seniors, and two named endowment funds that honor past members while supporting local children.

Civic and fraternal organizations like Kiwanis International are not nonprofit organizations and can’t accept donations, so they partner with organizations like Licking County Foundation for help in achieving their philanthropic vision. Events like the Strawberry Festival generate the proceeds that the Club then donates to its Foundation funds. At the recommendation of Newark Kiwanis fund advisors, the Licking County Foundation grants the funds to programs like Camp O’Bannon.  

“There’s so much joy that we all get from serving children,” says longtime treasurer David Whiteman of the role philanthropy plays in the Newark Kiwanis Club. “Our members range in age from their 30s to their 90s and we all have one purpose – to help kids. Often we welcome new members who themselves were campers and want to give back.” 

While there is no Strawberry Festival this year, readers can still help by donating to the Newark Kiwanis Community Fund on our website.