PKF Awards Matching Grant
At the PA District Convention Business Session on August 13, the Pennsylvania Kiwanis Foundation presented a $15,000 matching grant to Todd Reeves, Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania School For Blind Children.
The matching grant was applied for by the Kiwanis Conference of Western PA. The funds will be used towards the Conference's current project, the renovation of the bowling alleys at the School.
The School’s two-lane bowling alley, originally installed prior to World War II, with no automated features, has been completely renovated. Now brighter and more handicap accessible, the lanes are a great venue for students who evidence not only visual impairment, but additional complex disabilities to have fun while promoting muscle strengthening, balance, body awareness, motor planning, cardiovascular endurance and eye-hand coordination. The bowling alley transformation included the installation of new lanes, ramps, accessible seating, automatic ball return and pin setters and electronic scoring system making the bowling alley a more modern and inviting space for the approximately 175 students to enjoy.
The Kiwanis Conference of Western Pennsylvania was first organized in 1953. Membership in the Conference is open to all Kiwanis Clubs located in Western PA and within the areas served by the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (the first eleven divisions of the District). The purpose of the Conference is to raise funds and provide aid and services to the students of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. The Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is charter school for the deaf or blind with programs available free of charge to legally blind children ages 3 - 21 from 33 counties in western Pennsylvania. The longstanding relationship between the Conference and the School has improved the lives of generations of visually impaired students from throughout our region. The Conference’s efforts build a unique cohesiveness and teamwork amongst the member clubs whose volunteer services make a lasting difference in the quality of living for very deserving boys and girls who confront seemingly insurmountable odds.