Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club raising money to purchase rifle-plated vests

EXETER – Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club has a history of service to the community since being formed nearly 26 years ago. This year, the Kiwanians have set the bar high by creating a fundraising campaign called Invest in Vests to raise $21,000 for 70-rifle plated vests and first aid kits.

All vests will be distributed among law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS, Wyoming Area school resource officers and members of the Greater Pittston Ambulance Association who serve the West Side, encompassing the Wyoming Area School District. Each vest is valued at $300.

The Kiwanis board of directors approved club president Michael Coolbaugh’s proposal of the ambitious endeavor. Coolbaugh serves as chair of the campaign with Tiffany Callaio as co-chair.

The club purchased the first six vests using club funds and, to date, has raised $5,100 for 17 additional vests. The first six were distributed to the police departments of Exeter, West Pittston, Wyoming, West Wyoming, Falls Twp. and the Wyoming Area School District.

“We (the club) first started talking about it a year, year and a half ago,” Coolbaugh said about creating a campaign to raise money for rifle-plated vests. “I know from being in law enforcement that some things just aren’t in the budget for police departments to be getting additional equipment for municipalities.”

The club eventually settled on distributing vests not only to law enforcement, but to other emergency service members, as well, such as firefighters, EMS workers and ambulance personnel.

According to Coolbaugh, two vests per vehicle will be donated for up to 35 vehicles, including police and ambulance vehicles. Fire departments will receive at least four vests per department.

“We’d like to put two vests per school building in the (Wyoming Area) district,” Coolbaugh added. There are four schools in the Wyoming Area School District.

Coolbaugh said if $21,000 is exceeded, it’s possible the club will be able to donate to other agencies in the area.

Wyoming Area Catholic, as a part of Catholic Schools Week, is holding a three-week fundraiser to aid the Kiwanis campaign.

The Catholic school in Exeter held a Spirit Day, inviting local members of police, fire and ambulance departments to attend.

“We talked about one of the days of Catholic Schools Week to have a Spirit Day where the kids can dress as super heroes,” said Eileen Rishcoff, school superintendent. “We’ve always done something around service and Tiffany (Callaio) was at the meeting regarding gifting and Tiffany mentioned the vest program. You know, God puts you right where you’re supposed to be.”

Wyoming Area Catholic is hoping to raise enough money to purchase two vests.

The Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club will hosting a fundraiser for Invest in Vests from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27 at Sabatini’s Bottleshop, Wyoming Avenue, Exeter. The price of $25 includes pizza and three drinks. There will be raffle baskets, gift certificates and a 50/50 drawing.

The Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club’s Invest in a Vest campaign underway is looking to raise $21,000 for 300 rifle-plated vests for all law enforcement officers, EMS, firefighters, Wyoming Area school officers and Greater Pittston Ambulance Assoc. members servicing the Wyoming Area School District area. From left, are Bob Orlando, Tiffany Callaio, drive co-chair; Alecia Panuski, Marc Stella, Carl Worthington, Mike Coolbaugh, drive chair.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_WA-Kiwanis-Invest-in-a-Vest.jpgThe Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club’s Invest in a Vest campaign underway is looking to raise $21,000 for 300 rifle-plated vests for all law enforcement officers, EMS, firefighters, Wyoming Area school officers and Greater Pittston Ambulance Assoc. members servicing the Wyoming Area School District area. From left, are Bob Orlando, Tiffany Callaio, drive co-chair; Alecia Panuski, Marc Stella, Carl Worthington, Mike Coolbaugh, drive chair. Submitted photo Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Super Heroes Day was held in conjunction with Wyoming Area Catholic’s Catholic Schools Week. The students of Wyoming Area Catholic are raising money to aid Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club’s Invest in a Vest campaign to raise $21,000 for rifle-plated vests for 70 law enforcement officers From left, are Ella Sebia, Jorja Lamoreux, Reagan Hadley, Grace Kelly, James Bullock, Addisyn Kaspriski. Back row: Mike Sebia, Scott Lamoreux, Kendall Hadley, Rob Hadley, Tom Kelly, Christopher Chromey, Gregory Kaspriski.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_WAC-Super-Heroes.jpgSuper Heroes Day was held in conjunction with Wyoming Area Catholic’s Catholic Schools Week. The students of Wyoming Area Catholic are raising money to aid Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club’s Invest in a Vest campaign to raise $21,000 for rifle-plated vests for 70 law enforcement officers From left, are Ella Sebia, Jorja Lamoreux, Reagan Hadley, Grace Kelly, James Bullock, Addisyn Kaspriski. Back row: Mike Sebia, Scott Lamoreux, Kendall Hadley, Rob Hadley, Tom Kelly, Christopher Chromey, Gregory Kaspriski. Submitted photo Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Officers of Wyoming Area Catholic (WAC) Builders Club are taking part of a fundraiser for the Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club Invest in a Vest campaign. WAC sudents are raising money for the cause until Feb. 14. From left, are Valerie Werhun, treasurer; Kendall Hadley, president; Melanie Moran, vice president, Alexis Romanowski, secretary.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_WAC-Vest-Donations.jpgOfficers of Wyoming Area Catholic (WAC) Builders Club are taking part of a fundraiser for the Wyoming Area Kiwanis Club Invest in a Vest campaign. WAC sudents are raising money for the cause until Feb. 14. From left, are Valerie Werhun, treasurer; Kendall Hadley, president; Melanie Moran, vice president, Alexis Romanowski, secretary. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch