Kiwanis Club Offer Learning Program

LOCK HAVEN – The Kiwanis Club of Bald Eagle and Nittany Valleys (BENV), in partnership with the Clinton County Housing Authority (CCHA), recently conducted a youth learning program on five Wednesdays at the Linden Circle community center in Lock Haven. The program featured Kiwanis teams who were available to introduce parents to three early learning activity guides provided by the Pennsylvania Kiwanis Foundation. The publications contain suggestions for learning activities to do with infants or toddlers, preschoolers, and young children. The Kiwanians also read specially selected children’s books to kids at the center. After the reading sessions, kids participated in craft activities related to the themes of the books, and then enjoyed snacks provided by CCHA. The most popular session seemed to be the one conducted by Kiwanian Phil Taormina, a Mill Hall balloon artist better known locally as “Mr. T.” After reading a book called “Balloonia” by Audrey Wood, Mr. T. talked with the kids about balloon safety and then made them balloon animals and hats. The kids all then put their names on a larger helium balloon which they released into the night sky. Mr. T. was accompanied by Kiwanians Sally Young and Bridget Motel who read a book about clowns called “The Clown Arounds Have a Party.” At the conclusion of the program, CCHA Resident Initiatives Coordinator Tia Hillyer thanked club members and expressed her hope that CCHA and Kiwanis of BENV could partner in future joint programs to benefit families residing in the area. Kiwanis of BENV is looking forward to opportunities for doing that.