SIDNEY — Katie Koester, first vice president of the Charity League of Shelby County, addressed the Kiwanis Club of Sidney during its Feb. 10 meeting.

Koester presented a slide show about the Charity League. It started in October 1934 and is a nonprofit organization that currently has 39 members. Members must be younger than 40 years of age in order to join the Charity League and must give an eight-year commitment.

The mission of Charity League is to raise money to benefit the children of Shelby County. Charity League provides school clothing to an about 300 children each year. It has also assisted in crisis situations when families have faced a life-changing situation such as homelessness or fire. Charity League also works with schools in Shelby County to assist families during the holidays and provides presents for approximately 90 children each year. Since the Charity League is not a part of a national organization, all funds raised through the group’s fundraisers and donations remain in Shelby County.

There are two major fundraisers each year: the Giving From the Heart Dance & Auction and an annual holiday craft show.

Prior to the program, President Ed Ball called the meeting to order. Rikki Unterbrink gave the invocation and the group was led in song by Ralph Bornhorst and accompanied by Don Tangeman on the piano. Phil Warnecke led the Fun and Games activities by presenting five trivia questions about Ash Wednesday.

It was announced that this year’s Pancake Day will be April 13.