Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated
to changing the world one child and one community
at a time. We meet every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 p.m.
at Shawnee State University's Morris University Center.
It was SOMC Day at Kiwanis today as we welcomed Mary Arnzen as a new member. Mary serves as the Major Gift & Planned Giving Officer for the SOMC Development Foundation, and we look forward to working with her to serve the children of our community! Mary is pictured with Sharon Carver of our Kiwanis Membership committee.
Our speaker today was Janell Ison, DO of SOMC Psychiatry. This department offers a variety of mental health and counseling services for local residents. She is pictured with Kiwanis President Kara Tieman.
Janell was born in Portsmouth, grew up in Latham in western Pike County, and she is a first generation college student. Her interest in mental health issues led her to study psychiatry, and she did her residency at the VA in Chillicothe. She joined SOMC in December 2025, and her schedule has filled up quickly.
“I feel like I’m at the right place now,” she said, and she noted that she has seen many unique challenges and barriers to getting treatment for complex medical issues. She is hoping to help change the stigma for mental health and said that most substance abuse patients have a mental health disorder.
Local children in the area are greatly impacted by the trauma that is occurring in local households, and SOMC has an affiliation with Nationwide Children’s which she said has a wonderful psychiatric unit for kids.
Portsmouth, Ohio — The Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth is proud to announce the launch of a new community initiative, Portsmouth Kiwanis Kicks 4 Kids, aimed at providing shoes to local students in need.
In Kiwanis, the focus is to help the children of our area by whatever means possible, and this program is a direct reflection of that mission.
The program will serve students in grades 7 through 12, helping ensure that young people in the community have access to proper footwear for school and everyday life. This year, the program began by supporting students at Portsmouth High School, where approximately 30 pairs of shoes were provided to students in need. Plans are already in place to expand to one or two additional schools each year until all schools throughout Scioto County are included.
“We saw a need and wanted to step in and make a difference,” said Chairman Dan DeLotell. “Something as simple as a new pair of shoes can have a big impact on a student’s confidence and daily life.”
The Kicks 4 Kids committee is led by Chairman Dan DeLotell, along with committee members Angel King, Jamie Colley, and Katie Dyer. Together, the team is working to build a program that will grow year after year and reach as many students as possible. Angel also serves as Principal of Portsmouth High School.
The Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth would like to extend a very special thank you to Richard Wolfson for his generous donation that helped make this program possible. His contribution was made in memory of Ron Meyers and Cathy Meyers, honoring their legacy and commitment to the community.
Additional funding for the program has been raised through community fundraising efforts. Looking ahead, the organization hopes to establish an annual 5K run/walk event to help provide ongoing support and ensure the long-term success of the Kicks 4 Kids program.
A special thank you is also extended to Sheila Evans and Scioto Shoe Mart for their invaluable assistance in sizing students and supplying shoes. Without their support, this program would not have been possible.
Get Involved: Community members who are interested in supporting the program through donations, participation, volunteering, or membership are encouraged to get involved.
For more information about Portsmouth Kiwanis Kicks 4 Kids, please contact Dan DeLotell through Facebook or reach out to any member of the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth. To learn more about becoming a member, please visit kiwanisofportsmouth.org
Our love and prayers go out to Dona Smith and the rest of the family of Jeff Smith, our good friend and longtime member of our club. Jeff served the children of our community for many years both with the Portsmouth and Chillicothe Kiwanis clubs. He coordinated our scholarship program for several years and served as a Key Club Advisor. He was always kind and encouraging to others. We will greatly miss him, and his passing is a huge loss to our community.
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Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated
to changing the world one child and one community
at a time. We meet every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 p.m.
at Shawnee State University's Morris University Center.
It was SOMC Day at Kiwanis today as we welcomed Mary Arnzen as a new member. Mary serves as the Major Gift & Planned Giving Officer for the SOMC Development Foundation, and we look forward to working with her to serve the children of our community! Mary is pictured with Sharon Carver of our Kiwanis Membership committee.
Our speaker today was Janell Ison, DO of SOMC Psychiatry. This department offers a variety of mental health and counseling services for local residents. She is pictured with Kiwanis President Kara Tieman.
Janell was born in Portsmouth, grew up in Latham in western Pike County, and she is a first generation college student. Her interest in mental health issues led her to study psychiatry, and she did her residency at the VA in Chillicothe. She joined SOMC in December 2025, and her schedule has filled up quickly.
“I feel like I’m at the right place now,” she said, and she noted that she has seen many unique challenges and barriers to getting treatment for complex medical issues. She is hoping to help change the stigma for mental health and said that most substance abuse patients have a mental health disorder.
Local children in the area are greatly impacted by the trauma that is occurring in local households, and SOMC has an affiliation with Nationwide Children’s which she said has a wonderful psychiatric unit for kids.
If you want to know more about SOMC Psychiatric Services and all of its providers, visit online at www.somc.org/services/psychiatry. ... See MoreSee Less
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Portsmouth Kiwanis Launches “Kicks 4 Kids” Program! 👟
Portsmouth, Ohio — The Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth is proud to announce the launch of a new community initiative, Portsmouth Kiwanis Kicks 4 Kids, aimed at providing shoes to local students in need.
In Kiwanis, the focus is to help the children of our area by whatever means possible, and this program is a direct reflection of that mission.
The program will serve students in grades 7 through 12, helping ensure that young people in the community have access to proper footwear for school and everyday life. This year, the program began by supporting students at Portsmouth High School, where approximately 30 pairs of shoes were provided to students in need. Plans are already in place to expand to one or two additional schools each year until all schools throughout Scioto County are included.
“We saw a need and wanted to step in and make a difference,” said Chairman Dan DeLotell. “Something as simple as a new pair of shoes can have a big impact on a student’s confidence and daily life.”
The Kicks 4 Kids committee is led by Chairman Dan DeLotell, along with committee members Angel King, Jamie Colley, and Katie Dyer. Together, the team is working to build a program that will grow year after year and reach as many students as possible. Angel also serves as Principal of Portsmouth High School.
The Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth would like to extend a very special thank you to Richard Wolfson for his generous donation that helped make this program possible. His contribution was made in memory of Ron Meyers and Cathy Meyers, honoring their legacy and commitment to the community.
Additional funding for the program has been raised through community fundraising efforts. Looking ahead, the organization hopes to establish an annual 5K run/walk event to help provide ongoing support and ensure the long-term success of the Kicks 4 Kids program.
A special thank you is also extended to Sheila Evans and Scioto Shoe Mart for their invaluable assistance in sizing students and supplying shoes. Without their support, this program would not have been possible.
Get Involved:
Community members who are interested in supporting the program through donations, participation, volunteering, or membership are encouraged to get involved.
For more information about Portsmouth Kiwanis Kicks 4 Kids, please contact Dan DeLotell through Facebook or reach out to any member of the Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth. To learn more about becoming a member, please visit kiwanisofportsmouth.org
Portsmouth City Schools ... See MoreSee Less
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our love and prayers go out to Dona Smith and the rest of the family of Jeff Smith, our good friend and longtime member of our club. Jeff served the children of our community for many years both with the Portsmouth and Chillicothe Kiwanis clubs. He coordinated our scholarship program for several years and served as a Key Club Advisor. He was always kind and encouraging to others. We will greatly miss him, and his passing is a huge loss to our community.
www.ralphfscott.com/obituary/Jeffrey-Smith?fbclid=IwZnRzaAQqENVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2N... ... See MoreSee Less
Obituary for Jeffrey Duane Smith | Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home, Inc.
www.ralphfscott.com
Celebrate the life of Jeffrey Smith and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.46 CommentsComment on Facebook