Golden K Kiwanis gives to three charities

The Columbia Golden K Kiwanis Foundation wrapped up 2017 with three awards to local charities: Camp Wonder Hands, the Autism Academy of South Carolina, and the Women's Shelter.

The Golden K Kiwanis is a "seniors" chapter of the International Kiwanis Organization, which has as its mission: improving the world, one child and one community at a time.

The Golden K meets weekly at the Lourie Center near Maxcy Gregg Park, and its foundation, which is supported entirely by member donations, makes $500- $ 1,500 awards to local charities, a total of nearly $10,000 in 2017 for child-oriented projects.

This year's recipients included Harvest Hope, Palmetto Place, Therapy Place, Richland School District 1, Vital Connections, and the United Way. In December, the foundation made $ 500 awards to Camp Wonder Hands, the Autism Academy of South Carolina, and the Columbia Women's Shelter.

For over 20 years, Camp Wonder Hands (CWH), a program of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, has provided a program created specifically for children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

CWH students receive scholarships for a five-day, four-night program at Camp Kinard near Batesburg-Leesville. CWH provides an atmosphere where students, ages 7?15, develop their expressive sign-language skills and are able to identify with others and learn they are not alone in their experience.

The Golden K award will cover the cost of one scholarship in 2018. For more information go to: www.palmettohealthchildrens.org/programs/camp-wonder-hands

The Autism Academy of South Carolina (AASC) offers individualized Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for children and families affected by autism. About 1.5 percent of children in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder, and the disorder is about five times more common among boys.

A wide range of assistance is provided, including speech, physical, occupational and pharmacological therapies, designed to maximize the child's functional independence and quality of life. The Golden K award will be used for scholarship support for students to attend the AASC's Camp M.A.T.E.S. ( Merging Activities to Enhance Social Skills), a multi- modal summer camp for youth with social skills deficits.

The camp includes programs in physical activity, nutrition, social skills, and academic support. For more information, visit http://autismacademyofsc.org/

For over 30 years, The Women's Shelter has provided a range of services to homeless women, including food, clothing, dental care, transportation, counseling, and educational programs. Educational activities range from parenting and assertiveness training courses, budgeting classes, and health and nutritional education classes.

Temporary housing is provided to assist residents in re-entry into the community, especially in rejoining their children and families. The Golden K award will help with the daily operational costs of the shelter. For more information, go to: www.womenshelter.org/ .

The Golden K Kiwanis Foundation Board will meet to develop plans for support of Columbia charities during 2018. In addition to their financial contributions, members of the Golden K volunteer in various community organizations, including Harvest Hope, the United Way, and food kitchens in the Columbia area.