Carolyn Vega outlines Chelsea Kiwanis's scholarships, drives and push for more volunteers

Carolyn Vega, president of the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, described the group's local programs, volunteer needs and scholarship work during an interview on the community podcast Chelsea Chats.

Vega said the club, which is part of Kiwanis International's New England and Bermuda District, has about 20 members and focuses locally on family and children. "We're a service club. Our focus locally is family and children," Vega said. She said members attend regional and international conferences and participate in fundraising for pediatric causes.

The club runs several recurring community programs, Vega said. Its major annual fundraiser is a September track-and-field event for children, free to participants and supported by tiered sponsorships that fund scholarships and event supplies. "We give out 4 $2,500 scholarships," Vega said, noting each award is split so half goes to the school or trade program the student will attend and half goes directly to the student to cover items such as computers or dorm supplies.

Vega described other ongoing efforts: diaper drives conducted in partnership with local agencies (this year the Family Resource Center and Christina Peralta), an annual coat drive that has collected roughly 100 to nearly 200 coats for distribution through school and community partners, and the adoption and regular restocking of a micro pantry outside Luz De Cristo at 738 Broadway. She highlighted youth engagement through a Girl Scout troop that helped create and now maintains a micro pantry at Washington Park.

On membership and volunteering, Vega said the club seeks "hands and new ideas," not specific qualifications, and noted people who work in Chelsea but live elsewhere may still join. She explained the application process is available on the club's website and social media pages, and that meetings occur twice monthly with one in person (often at El Potro or the school department office on Webster Ave.) and one virtual session to accommodate busy schedules.

Vega also noted the club will mark its centennial in 2029 and encouraged listeners to check the Kiwanis website or contact the club to learn about events or volunteer opportunities. "If you could even consider it, we'd love to sit with anybody, sit down, explain it more," she said.

The episode closed with the host urging listeners to visit the Chelsea Kiwanis Club website and social channels to find event dates and volunteer contact information.