One of the 13 relief grants awarded by the Washington County Riverboat Foundation went to an annual program that helps low-income Washington-area families have a more joyous holiday season.

The Washington Kiwanis AM’ers group received a $5,000 grant to help their project that is now called Lonny’s Kids. Their Secret Santa-esque program was renamed this year after the late Lonny Milligan, a Kiwanis member, who was integral to the effort which provides clothes and toys for about 20 families as well as holiday meal kit boxes. The families are selected with the help of the Washington School District counselors, and the food and gifts were distributed the weekend before Christmas. Kiwanis Board Member Xiomara Levsen says the relief grant was greatly appreciated as the group was not able to fundraise at their normal capacity because of the pandemic. Levsen shares why Lonny’s Kids is a passion for the club, “Well, our mission is kids and we have a group over at the middle school called Builders Club, and they’re a group of volunteer middle schoolers who raise funds throughout the year as well. They weren’t able to shop with us this year because of COVID, but they were able to fundraise over $100 for this project so I am very appreciative of that from them.”

Levsen adds that with the grant they were also able to give $100 Fareway gift cards to the families. She thanks her “little elves” Jim Lester, Chloe Barnes, and Alyx Dietz, in addition to the Washington school counselors, Middle School Principal Curt Mayer, and Middle School art teacher and Builders Club advisor Erin Almelien for their help making this year’s effort a success.