The Westerville Sertoma is involved in all manner of local service projects, and among the biggest beneficiaries are the community’s children.
The name “Sertoma” is a shortening of “service to mankind,” the overarching goal of Sertoma Inc. The parent organization, which started in Kansas City more than a century ago, is committed to bettering communities, with the intensity of its focus directed toward hearing and eye protection, national heritage preservation and advocacy of youth education.
Andrea Stoughton, Westerville Sertoma president, encourages participation from the community in the club’s many projects.
“It’s instantly rewarding,” Stoughton says.
Many of the local club’s activities benefit or involve Westerville youths.
Monthly, from April to October, the Sertoma Brat Wagon is parked on College Avenue in Uptown Westerville, and club members join with students and teachers from Genoa Middle School to sell brats, hot dogs, snow cones and more. Money from snow sales helped buy books for the school’s library last year, and this year, it will be invested equipment for the hearing impaired.
Sertoma has also established a partnership with Otterbein University’s theater department, which will also benefit from Brat Wagon sales. The money will fund hearing technology at theater productions, “so those with hearing disabilities may be able to enjoy the theater, too,” Stoughton says.
Westerville Sertoma also provides scholarships – awarded on the basis of community service, merit and need – to three graduating Westerville seniors every year, one from each high school.
In addition, the local Sertoma has worked to assist Recreation Unlimited, Westerville Caring & Sharing, the Westerville Area Resource Ministry, the Westerville Concert Band, the Westerville Symphony and more.
The club can also be seen in action at the annual tree lighting ceremony at Westerville City Hall at 7 p.m. Dec. 6. The club will be giving away free hot chocolate and homemade cookies.
Two days later, on Dec. 8, is the annual Children’s Christmas Parade, which is organized by the club and features floats and displays from the Genoa Township Fire Department, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, local high schools and more. The parade will be aired on WOCC-TV and immediately follows the Rudolph Run 5K.
The 20-member club is always searching for new blood. The application fee to join is $25, followed by $40 quarterly if voted into the club.
“We are always looking for new members who wish to be active in the Westerville area,” says Stoughton.
Aamna Aziz is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Westerville Sertoma
Meetings: 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Location: Panera Bread, 782 N. State St.
Website: www.westervillesertoma.org
