On Thursday, Sept. 29, the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island had its annual awarding of grants event. The organization raised a total of $62,500 to support local charities in the Savannah area.

“What we contribute to the nonprofit organizations is minuscule in comparison to their overall needs,” said Mike Brown, Kiwanis member. “We care deeply about the children of Chatham County, especially at-risk children who need help to grow, learn, be safe and lead healthy, productive lives.”

The mission of the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island is to help at-risk children in the Savannah area. The Kiwanians of Skidaway Island spend countless hours volunteering and raising money through events, member support and corporate donations to help those in need.

The organizations receiving a 2016-2017 donation include:

- America’s Second Harvest — Kids Café

- Backpack Buddies of Skidaway Island

- Childhood Cancer Family Support Fund

- Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center

- Family Promise of Greater Savannah

- Horizons Savannah

- Junior Achievement

- Local Outreach Volunteers Educators

- Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire

- National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force

- Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter

- Performance Initiatives Fitness Savannah

- Social Apostolate

- Special Olympics

- Wesley Community Centers of Savannah

- Youth Challenge Academy

Most notably, $11,000 was raised for the Savannah Early Childhood Foundation through Kiwanis’ “Take a Chance for Kids” raffle. Dollars for Doers Grants were awarded to Coastal Conservation Association, Congregation Agudath Achim, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes, and Hesse K8 PTA.