Kiwanis Club’s Octoberfest Raises Funds for Children

Attending a 17-day beer festival in Munich, Germany, may not be in most families’ budgets, however, the is proposing an alternative celebration a bit closer to home. The non-profit club invites the public to kick off October with its third annual Octoberfest.

The event will take place at the renovated/redecorated non-smoking , located on 305 Moreland Road in Willow Grove, Oct. 1 from 7 to 11 p.m.

“Last year, we had about 100 people attend our annual Oktoberfest and a great time was had by all,” Bob Young, president-elect of The Kiwanis Club of Old York Road, said. “The money raised will stay within Willow Grove for scholarships and disadvantaged families. Our main concern is children.”

The Kiwanis Club of Old York Road sponsors Octoberfest to raise money for children in the community and around the world.

The event will have food, along with beer, wine and homemade desserts available throughout the evening. The cost is $ 25 per person.

“This year, there is going to be a live German Oompah Band,” Young said. “And, we will have a raffle for gift baskets and other prizes.”

In addition to raising funds with the Octoberfest event, the Kiwanis Club has a Rose Sale, which ends Oct. 6.

This annual fundraiser is another opportunity for the club to fund scholarships, etc. Local businesses, family friends and neighbors are welcome to purchase roses. Roses will be delivered to drop off points on Oct. 27.

Young has been a member of the club for three years. Members meet two to three times a month at the Willow Inn in Willow Grove.

“The club is comprised of 30 members, all Willow Grove citizens,” Young said.

Founded 80 years ago, Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Every day, Kiwanians are revitalizing neighborhoods, organizing youth-sports programs, planting trees, building playgrounds, and performing countless other projects to help children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick. They develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric research, and much more.

“My wife Michelle and I joined Kiwanis because we wanted to get more involved and help out with the community,” Young said. “Friends of ours Bob and Sue Mathers introduced us to the Kiwanis of Old York Road family. Subsequently our daughter Rachel has joined as well. The whole group is a bunch of down to earth people with diverse backgrounds and common goals.”

Along with Octoberfest and the Rose Sale, The Kiwanis Club of Old York Road hosts other popular fundraisers such as Sonic Day and Surf and Turf.

Young said all these fundraisers support International Club, Builder’s Club, and .

There are 205 Kiwanis Clubs with 6,000 members. With the service clubs we sponsor in schools and communities across Pennsylvania (Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club, K-Kids and Aktion Club) the Kiwanis family of clubs in Pennsylvania consists of more than 21,000 individuals committed to improving their communities and the lives of children.

For more information on Octoberfest, call Bob Young at 214-659-2689 or email bob@youngscape.com.

For more information on the Rose Sale, visit www.pakiwanis.org/about-pa-kiwanis/district-foundation/district-rose-sale/.

For more information on PA Kiwanis, visit www.pakiwanis.org.