Children and children's issues are said to be the main focus of Kiwanis International, and children will be treated to a day of free fun Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Tracy Park.

Community Service Committee Chairman Wayne Thompson said Kiwanis Kid's Fun Day will feature games, shows, and free food.

“We'll have clowns doing close-up magic, balloon animals and face painting,” Thompson said. “And we'll provide the food and Life Ambulance provides the grill.”

He said it was the second year for the event, which had what he referred to as a good turnout last year.

“It rained, and I think we still had about 50 kids,” Thompson said.

He also said Kiwanis has several fundraising events every year to fund projects such as Kiwanis Kid's Fun Day.

“This project is what we use part of the money we raise for,” Thompson said. “Our biggest project is Pancake Day, and we also have had a poinsettia sale for the past couple of years, and then we have the money we raise from the gumball machines you see around the area.”

Thompson said the Kiwanis Kid's Fun Day brings out a lot of volunteers from the Kiwanis membership.

“You know that generally you don't have a lot of people who volunteer for projects, but with this one a lot of people have volunteered to help,” he said. “We ask that kids attending the day of the event be 10 years old or under, but if the kids are a little older, we won't turn them away.”

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.