Mental Health Association

Diane Buenger and Kara Harrison, representing the Mental Health Association of Hancock County spoke to Kiwanis. The organization helps families and individuals living with mental illness. This affects the whole family.


Diane stressed that slur words bother her most and that sometimes words used unthinkingly can create a stigma toward an individual. Words such as insane, psycho, psychotic, crazy etc. should be used sparingly if at all. She told us that a person is not “psychotic” as that is a term used to describe a set of symptoms and not a person.

Kara is the new person working for the Association. She is from Hancock County and is very enthusiastic about her job. She said that MHA is a non-profit organization working to encourage, provide, and advocate for mental health and emotional wellness. They have served Hancock County since 1954. One of the most familiar services of the Assn. is the holiday gift lift which donations are used to provide items and cheer for isolated senior citizens, mentally ill, and developmentally disabled residents of Hancock County.

Hancock County has many volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. If you are interested in a one time event or a regular commitment please contact the office for details about volunteering. New Website is www.mentalhealthamericahc.org or E-mail: HCMHA98@aol.com or call 462-2877.

Kiwanis Aktion Clubs

 Don Collins, District Chairman of Aktion Club in Shelbyville, Indiana, spoke to local Kiwanians. He told that an Aktion Club is a community-service group for adults living with disabilities. The mission is to provide adults an opportunity to develop the ability to serve their community and to demonstrate the value of citizens living with disabilities.


An Aktion Club is sponsored by a Kiwanis club but can also be sponsored by a group of clubs or a division. There are Aktion Clubs in Shelbyville and Noblesville.

Aktion club members attend meetings to learn about community issues, plan service and fundraising projects, and enjoy fellowship with others. Club members perform community service such as park beautification, food drives, and nursing home visitations. Members make visits to zoos, museums, and sporting events to share time with one another.

Membership is open to any adult living with a disability who wants to become a leader in community service to others. Each club elects officers and organizes member into committees. Club meetings are similar to Kiwanis meetings and are held once a week and last about one hour.

Aktion Club is an official Kiwanis sponsored program, and a member of the Kiwanis family which includes: K-Kids (elementary school), Builders Club (junior high), Key Club (high school), Circle K International (college), Kiwanis Junior (young adults), Kiwanis (adults).

Kiwanis Donates to Food Pantry

Russ Bunton, president of Kiwanis presents a $1,000 check to Nancy and Dick Kent from the Hancock County Food Pantry.

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Tats Matsuoka --"Meet Your Kiwanian"

Tats Matsuoka was the featured speaker for "Meet Your Kiwanian" for August. Tats told about his life on the west coast during the war years and of coming to Indiana to work at Eli Lilly. He has lived in Indiana for over 40 years and while not being born a Hoosier, he feels like this is home