SIDNEY — Carla Bertke, executive director of the Hahn-Hufford Center of Hope in Piqua, addressed the Kiwanis Club of Sidney during its March 9 meeting.

The center, she said, has evolved into a nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive neurodevelopmental rehabilitation program, an EEG neurofeedback training program called the Brain Wellness Center, an Aquatic Therapy & Wellness Center, an adult day program for intellectually developmentally disabled adults and Nicholas School, a special needs kindergarten through eighth-grade nonpublic charter school.

There are several ways in which the center is funded. Clients pay minimal fees for using center services. The administration receives various grants. There are major fundraising activities and the organization is funded by four United Way agencies. The total budget is about $1.2 million and last year, the center served 326 clients from 16 Ohio counties. There are 39 people on the staff and a number of volunteers.

There are five other centers in the United States that provide the types of services the Rehabilitation Center offers. The center was founded in 1972 by Gloria Hufford and Ruth Hahn. It was first housed in the basement of St. Paul’s Church in Piqua and is now located at 1306 Garbry Road. More information can be found at www.rcnd.org.

Prior to the program, President Ed Ball called the meeting to order. Dave Sassenger gave the invocation and the group was led in song by Mike Tangeman and accompanied by Phil Freytag on the piano. Lt. Governor Brad Kunze was introduced as a guest and informed members about the Mid-Year Training Conference that was recently held in Columbus.

Ball then presented Bob Anthony with his 40-year Legion of Honor pin and certificate. Anthony is a past president of the club. Merrill Asher and Tom Kinninger passed out tickets for this year’s Pancake Day, scheduled for April 13.