Kiwanis helps kids 'Bee a Hero'

TIFFIN — Kiwanis has partnered with local schools to promote the importance of bees. Melissa Mullins, vice president of Tiffin Kiwanis, said the Ohio Kiwanis District Governor chose saving the honeybees as "her signature project this year." The statewide effort, Mullins said, seeks to raise awareness of the plight of honeybees and spark efforts to increase pollination opportunities. According to a flyer about the Bee a Hero project, the program "is an opportunity to be a global citizen on a local level." "Far from being a niche concern," it states, "bees lie at the heart of our survival - and they have been dying at unprecedented rates." Kiwanis chapters were encouraged to "do our own thing," Mullins said, and the coloring contest was launched locally. Mullins said coloring pages were distributed to K-5 students at Tiffin City, Calvert and Bridges, and 438 entries were returned. "I couldn't believe we received so many!" she said. Mullins said Kiwanis residents voted Sunday to choose the top pieces in each grade. Winners received a certificate and an award, she said. Mullins also detailed another project currently in the works at Kiwanis. A Little Free Library, built by Sentinel graduate David Chappell, son of Tiffin Fire Chief Robert Chappell, soon will be installed in front of Kiwanis, she said. Mullins said the library is consistent with the organization's focus on literacy. According to littlefreelibrary.org, Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that strives to be "a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes." The Kiwanis library will be part of that network once it is installed, Mullins said. Chappell said he learned woodworking skills at Sentinel, and was "happy to do it" when he learned the Little Free Library needed to be built. He said he had the opportunity to visit Kiwanis while at Sentinel, and "they took me in like family." Chappell said the library is complete, and waiting on a final paint job. "I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product," he said. Chappell said he is furthering his skills working for JQ Builders in Willard, learning drywall to plumbing to electrical work. "They are teaching me to be a perfectionist," he said. Finalists are - First and second place winners: Kindergarten Mercedes and Sansa of Bridges; Maci and Bennet of Calvert; Georgia Hradek and Vincent Arnold of Washington K-1 Elementary; First grade Tayla and Elijah Payne of Bridges; Brooklyn and Maddy of Calvert; Ivy Lovas and Arya of Washington; Second grade Dom and Ryder of Bridges; Aiden Foy and Maddyson Raitz of Krout 2-3 Elementary; Third grade Isaiah and Ashlynn of Bridges; Elliot Hoyda and Kasey Miller of Krout; Fourth grade Josie and Bella of Bridges; Khloe Stephens of Noble 4-5 Elementary; Fith grade Savannah and Amar B. of Bridges; Raylynn Hurst and Emerson Scherley of Noble.