The Rotary Club of Kent has been awarded $125,000 by the Ohio House of Representatives under their Strategic Community Investment Fund for the Kent Safety Town. Safety Town uses hands-on activities taught in a small-scale city with streets, homes and sidewalks to teach safety skills to kindergarten-aged children.
The Rotary Club of Kent has been awarded $125,000 by the Ohio House of Representatives under their Strategic Community Investment Fund for the Kent Safety Town.
Safety Town uses hands-on activities taught in a small-scale city with streets, homes and sidewalks to teach safety skills to kindergarten-aged children.
Safety Town is to be constructed near Holden School on the South Side of Kent, and it will have a number of Kent landmarks, like the Kent Depot and the old church that houses Bell Tower Brewing Company, as part of its footprint.
Dr. Asad Khan, president of the Rotary Club of Kent and CEO of Kent Displays, said that successfully applying for the grant was a group effort. “The proposal opportunity was found and spearheaded by Todd Packer and channeled through Rep. Gail Pavliga’s office. Dave Myers, Superintendent Tom Larkin, and Bill Myers (and Wadsworth Fire friends) were key to getting this done in rapid fashion,” he said. “We are thrilled to have this financial influx as it will jump-start this initiative.”
Next steps include finalizing the grant process, which the group anticipates will take a few months. In the meantime, community members who want to contribute to the initiative can do so at the “Raise a Hand Community Auction” on April 23 at 6 p.m. at Bell Tower Brewing Company. Tickets are $100 and include automatic entry into a cash and prize raffle. Tickets can be purchased at: https://kentrotaryfoundation.betterworld.org/
“At last year’s auction, Rotarians and community members raised over $10,000 towards Safety Town,” Khan said. "Even with the grant, we will need more funds to bring this project to completion. We’re hoping that Rotarians and community members will step up again this year to support this worthy program.”
