Lawrenceburg Kiwanis Club Donates Kids Items to St. Elizabeth Dearborn Emergency Department

The Kiwanis Club partnered with Keith's Comfort Blankets to donate more than 150 children's items

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lawrenceburg delivered Keith’s Comfort Blankets children’s items to the St. Elizabeth Dearborn Emergency Department on July 30, 2024. Pictured (left to right) Ted Richardt, Tim Russell, Amber Dold RB, Mark Graver, Pam Rogers ED Tech, Bill Ritzmann, Mike Perleberg, Mark Klosterman, Shelby Maxey ED Tech, and Dawn Walcott Director of Nursing. Photo provided.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Children and families visiting the St. Elizabeth Dearborn Emergency Department will receive free toys, books, and blankets thanks to a partnership between the Kiwanis Club of Lawrenceburg and Keith’s Comfort Blankets.

Kiwanians donated and delivered several boxes containing more than 150 children’s items to nurses at the emergency department in Lawrenceburg on July 30, 2024. Nurses and other hospital staff will be able to pick from the items to help bring comfort to kids during what can be a scary situation, whether they were the victim of an injury or are with a family member making an emergency department visit.

The Kiwanis Club of Lawrenceburg first began donating Keith’s Comfort Blanket items to St. Elizabeth Dearborn in 2022.

“St. Elizabeth Dearborn is glad we have an organization like Kiwanis helping make emergency room visits for our young patients a less stressful experience. Something as simple as a stuffed animal or a fun book can do a lot to calm the feelings of a child during a trip to the ER,” said Angela Roberts, Vice President Site Administrator and Chief Nursing Officer at St. Elizabeth Dearborn, a club member.

Keith’s Comfort Blankets is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2018 to honor the life of Keith Robert Lewis. Keith was born August 6, 2015 and passed away February 2, 2016 from a rare genetic mitochondrial disorder. While in the hospital, Keith received numerous donated blankets and clothing that comforted the Lewis family and made the hospital experience feel more like home. Today, the non-profit’s mission is to provide similar comfort items to other children and families. Learn more about Keith’s Comfort Blankets at www.keithscomfortblankets.org.

Kiwanis Club of Lawrenceburg raised money to purchase the donated items through the club’s annual golf outing held at Hidden Valley Golf Club, water and soft drink sales at downtown Lawrenceburg events, Lawrenceburg Main Street Music on the River split-the-pot, and revenues from Kiwanis vending machines.

“We thank all businesses and individuals who graciously support Kiwanis fundraisers each year,” said club president Mike Perleberg.

“Continuing the mission from when the Lawrenceburg Kiwanis Club was founded over 100 years ago, our local Kiwanians today are always looking for ways to help address the needs of children in the community. Partnering with Keith’s Comfort Blankets to equip St. Elizabeth Dearborn staff with these items is just one of many activities our club proudly supports, along with scholarships, sponsorships, and Kiwanis International activities across Indiana and around the world.”

The Kiwanis Club of Lawrenceburg holds a lunch meeting each Tuesday, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Zion Church, 340 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg. The club is always welcoming new members, including businesses which can participate as corporate members giving their employees an avenue to give back to the community. Contact the club for more information: kiwanisclublawrenceburgin@gmail.com.