Kiwanis donates equipment to Highland Tot Park
Music-themed pieces highlight generosity of the community
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Mayor Tyler Moore picked up a mallet and began playing the chimes. The small group of Kiwanis Club members around him quickly recognized the tune, “Three Blind Mice.” The performance elicited a few chuckles, but the occasion for the performance is what really had them smiling.
The Kokomo Kiwanis Club donated three pieces of music-themed playground equipment to the city, which were installed in the Tot Park at Highland Park. They joined the mayor in a little impromptu music-making at the Nov. 1 unveiling.
Moore was gracious in giving thanks to the club for its donation.
“This is what Kokomo is all about,” said Moore. “Successful partnerships. I witness it firsthand as mayor. As small as the Tot Park is, it is still such a valuable asset. Heck, I brought all five of my kids here. And the work the Kiwanis Club does doesn’t stop here.
“Countywide, the Kiwanis Club is instrumental in so many things, serving the community. It is the epitome of service, and that isn’t going to stop. Thank you to each of you who are a part of this and all the Kiwanis Club efforts. We are blessed to have you joining us.”
The three pieces – chimes, a drum, and a xylophone – are all sized properly for young hands and highlight the fenced-in space for Kokomo youngest parkgoers. The bright greens, blues, and whites are certain to grab the attention of every toddler and preschooler who visit. Greg Aaron, president of the Community Foundation of Howard, Tipton, and Clinton Counties, was proud that his organization could be part of the donation.
“The Kiwanis Club received a competitive grant from the Community Foundation of about $5,900 for this project,” said Aaron. “It was about a year ago that the grant was awarded. We make grants to non-profit organizations. In this case, the Kiwanis Club had some matching funds to go with it, so it worked out really well.”
The event also drew the attention of the Kiwanis Club’s Indiana District Foundation president, Jim Smith. He traveled to Kokomo to be a part of the presentation.
“The Kiwanis Club is very pleased to get behind community efforts like this,” said Jim Smith, Indiana District Foundation president of the Kiwanis Club. “We appreciate the Kiwanians all around this district. It all boils down to individual people saying, ‘What if …’ and ‘Can I put $5 in for that.’ We really appreciate the Kokomo city administration. We all serve the children of the world, and it starts right where you live.”
The Highland Park Tot Park is located along West Defenbaugh Street, just east of the main playground parking lot. It is open to the public during normal park operation hours.