Kiwanis Club of Ravenna, Ohio

09/18/2025

This week, longtime Kiwanian, Wayne Enders conducted the installation of our newest Kiwanian, Jamie Duke from Portage Community Bank. Welcome, Jamie!

Wayne also congratulated and inducted our officers for the coming year: President Brad Crislip, Vice Presidents Debbie Davison and Diane Buller, Treasurer Matt Ferrell, and Secretary Rebecca Miller.

Thank you to outgoing President Matt Ferrell, Vice President Brad Crislip and Treasurer Amy Adams for faithfully serving the club this past year.

06/24/2025

06/20/2025

The Kiwanis Club of Ravenna was pleased to provide $1000 scholarships to three Ravenna High School students this year. Daria Olefir received the $1000 Art Fessemyer Scholarship, Casey Caicco was presented the $1000 Mason McConnell Scholarship and Julia Stratton received the $1000 Roger Thomas Scholarship. Scholarship Committee Chairperson Jay Richardson gave a brief history of the three scholarships, an overview of each recipient's academic accomplishments and presented each with a certificate. The students are RHS Key Club Members. Two of the recipients, their mothers, and Key Club Advisor Steven Farhat were able to attend our club meeting and were treated to lunch at the English Pub by the club. Pictured are club member Jay Richardson, RHS students Daria Olefir and Casey Caicco, RHS Key Club Advisor Steven Farhat and Ravenna Kiwanis President Matt Ferrell.

06/02/2025

The Kiwanis Club of Ravenna took on a large project nearly three years ago, to create and improve three courtyards to serve students in the Ravenna School District. The Club used funds from our service account plus a grant from the Portage Foundation and in-kind financial and physical assistance from Battaglia's Greenhouse and Garden Center; 2nd Chance Landscaping; RHS Key Club and Ravenna School District Maintenance and Business managers.
Ravenna Kiwanis Club members and Key Club members spent multiple work sessions over three years to begin removal of weeds and overgrown bushes and replacement off shrubery in the highschool courtyards. The Club also funded a large portion of the materials for the middle school's new basketball courtyard which was installed by the school district maintenance department.
Paul Battaglia of Battaglia's Greenhouse helped provide bushes and plants and Richard White of 2nd Chance Landscape and Rick Wise Excavation helped the club to finalize the high school portion of the project.
Our project coordinator was club member, Diane Buller who put in an enormous amount of time (and physical effort) managing this project.
All three courtyards will provide students with outdoor space to utilize for studying, class use, movement, stress relief or just a place to sit, talk or have a moment of reflection and relaxation.
A final thanks to Ravenna Kiwanis members who were involved and supported this project.

Below are some photos from the Ravenna High School Courtyards in their completed state. Thanks to everyone who supported and helped the three year project come to fruition!

03/21/2025

Kiwanis Club enjoyed an informative presentation by Juvenile Court Judge Patty Smith and CASA Executive Director Ann Walden at a recent meeting.
CASA Portage County is one of the fastest growing CASA programs. They are well on their way to meeting their goals. These dedicated ladies shared excellent information and answered questions from Kiwanis members. The CASA program continues to seek mentors throughout Portage County. Thank you Patty and Ann for a great presentation!!!

03/04/2025

02/06/2025

We still have a few tickets to our BINGO fundraiser. Food, and Drinks Included. A Unique Bingo experience. Let me know if you would like a ticket.
Only a few left.

11/19/2024

Kiwanis Club of Ravenna hosted Ravenna High School Key Club for a luncheon and enjoyed a presentation by the officers of Key Club. The students enjoyed a pasta meal from Guidos Pizza and Catering and salads, dessert and liquid refreshments compliments of Kiwanis members. Thank you to Reed Memorial Library for the use of the meeting room. The students and Kiwanis members enjoyed visiting during the meal. The club under the leadership of Steven Farhat is making great strides in increasing membership and has engaged in many community and school service activities.
Thanks to all who attended and enjoyed the fellowship and shared commitment to service, making our schools and community a better place!

11/05/2024

We are pleased to welcome our newest member, Ben Ribelin, Ravenna City Schools Superintendent, who was inducted by former Kiwanis Governor Wayne Enders.

10/18/2024

Thanks to all who attended our fundraiser this evening. A shout out to Grace Lutheran Church for letting us rent the venue, the attendees and the Kiwanians who helped run the event. Funds raised go to scholarships and service projects.