• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Having Fun!We Are Generous!We Are Presidential!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Noon Kiwanis Makes a Difference for Local Children

By Wendy Weichenthal on April 3, 2023

Decorative
Tammi Cowell and Ellen Messenger smile at the 2023 Kiwanis Pancake Day.

For more than 60 years, Marion Noon Kiwanis has held its annual Pancake Day, flipping thousands of flapjacks to raise funds for children’s causes. The most recent event served up pancakes for more than 1,000 people.

“It is great to see the community come together. From our sponsors to our volunteers to our attendees, it is a great day full of food, family and fun!” said Christy Neff, president of Marion Noon Kiwanis. “It’s a Marion tradition!”

girls in shimmery lavender dresses addorned with purple feathers dance in unison on a stage at the event.

Dennis Swartz organizes the entertainment, from toddler tots in dance routines from groups including the Martha Douce Studio, Diverse Moves, St. Mary’s School and the Marionaires Barbershop Group, with some members in their 90s. Each group volunteers their time and talents. Together, they raised $8,000 for children’s projects.

Three girls in colorful traditional clothes do a traditional Hispanic dance.
St. Mary’s School dancers

“We are so grateful to the community for it support. It is heartwarming to see so many come out and make a difference, year after year,” said Ellen Messenger, officer with Marion Noon Kiwanis.

Kiwanis History and Impact

Marion Noon Kiwanis was founded in 1921 by President-elect Warren G. Harding.

A group of about 20 Kiwanis members and guests smile. The presidential seal is visible on the floor.
Kiwanis members and guests toured the Harding Presidential Library and Museum.

Each year, the Marion Noon Kiwanis Foundation donates thousands of dollars to many causes, including college scholarships for local students, the Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum, Cents for Shoes, the Peanut Butter Jelly Truck and more local nonprofits serving the community. They also sponsor more than a dozen local service projects.

Seniors from Harding and Pleasant High Schools spoke at a recent Kiwanis meeting.

In addition to the adult group which meets twice a month to learn about local activities, programs, and nonprofits, they also sponsor a Key Club for high school students at Marion Harding and a Circle K at Marion Technical College.

More Information

Marion Noon Kiwanis meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Women’s Club Home at 1126 E. Center St. in Marion. Anyone interested in the group is invited to visit a meeting.

For more information, visit facebook.com/marionnoonkiwanis or go to their website at https://MarionNoonKiwanis.com/.

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Community Gets Makeover through Love Our Neighborhoods Group

    Love Our Neighborhoods is a grassroots group of city officials and volunteers who are not only cleaning up Marion but also improving the quality of life for many local homeowners and tenants. The group is focused on revitalizing the Marion community by improving neighborhoods.  It started in the summer of 2020 and has expanded since […]Read More »
  • Sweet Memories of Crum’s Strawberry Farm

    Generations of Marion residents have fond memories of annual trips to Crum’s Farm to pick fresh, red, ripe strawberries. “I remember going there with my mom to pick strawberries. [It was the] best time ever and the strawberries tasted so good!” said Sheila Thomas. “Our annual St. Mary kindergarten field trip to Crum’s was a […]Read More »
  • Marion Competing in Strongest Town Competition

    The Marion Community is going head-to-head with 15 other North American cities in the 10th Annual Strongest Town Contest. Marion has advanced to the Sweet-Sixteen this week and needs everyone in Marion, in Ohio, and around the country to cast their vote for us! In this bracket-style voting tournament, Marion will compete for the “Strongest […]Read More »
  • Marion Man Takes National Stage in Clean Energy

    This May, just five inventors presented their ideas on renewable energy technology at a global conference on clean energy. The only American company was from Marion, Ohio. Jason Jordan with Jordan Energy Alternative presented several ideas on a worldwide stage. “This was the largest gathering of ideas for the future. It was an opportunity to […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2026 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image