For the City Times

STEVENS POINT — On Tuesday, March 5, the Kiwanis Club of Stevens Point met at the Stevens Point Country Club to celebrate and recognize a local 6^th grader, Toren Anderson.

Anderson received this honor as part of the club’s Making a Difference Award – a program that recognizes and presents awards to one deserving sixth grade student from each of eleven area public and private elementary/middle schools every school year.

Anderson was selected by her principal, Ryan Ourada, of Washington School.

“Toren truly epitomizes what it means to have a positive impact on a school and community,” said Ourada. “In the classroom, Toren is a committed student who appreciates a challenge and always strives to do her best. Just one example of this is her involvement in an advanced math course through distance learning. She also excels in music, playing the piano, violin, and as a member of the bands percussion section.

Around the school, she supports younger readers during breakfast book club, helps to ensure the safety of others as cadet captain, and supports building a strong community as a member of our student council. Outside of school, Toren can be found at the rink as a member of the Crystal Ice Figure Skating Club. She is a role model for and makes Washington’s community stronger each and every day. Thank you for all you do Toren.”

The Kiwanis Club of Stevens Point was organized in 1923 and is one of the oldest in the state of Wisconsin. Members are active in the community by being involved in the Make a Difference Award as well as the following programs:

• Kiwanis Kare Kits – a giving project that provides hygiene kits to at-need students within the Stevens Point Area Public School District. The kits include essential personal hygiene items that are distributed by school counselors and social workers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
• Nonperishable Food Collection – Each holiday season, members bring nonperishable foods to the noon lunch meetings. Donated items are given to Operation Bootstrap to help feed area families.
• Bell-ringing for the Salvation Army – Each year, club members volunteer to ring bells for the Salvation Army at various Stevens Point locations.
• Green Circle Trail – Our club keeps the Green Circle from Chase Bank to Bukolt Park litter-free. Members sign up each spring for weekly walk-throughs of this section.

For more information regarding the Kiwanis Club of Stevens Point, visit the website at: www.stevenspointkiwanis.org or like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Kiwanis.Club.of.Stevens.Point/