11/10/2025
2025 Alliance Kiwanis Club Community Service Award
Our defining statement of "..being dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time..." is very indicative of the person receiving our first annual Alliance Kiwanis Community Service Award. The award is given to a person who makes significant contributions to building a sense of unity and purpose in the community.
One who assists others through volunteer programs, as well as dedicating themselves to service to a club, organization, church, or school. This person demonstrates positive values that influence others and mentors children in positive ways.
Alliance Kiwanis Club is honored to present the 2025 Community Service award to Connie Fussell, who is being honored for her work with the Castle Crusaders.
Fond memories of the Castle called her to begin volunteering with the Crusaders in 2018, and in 2022 she became the organization's secretary. Under her watchful eye, weddings were started at the castle, and her love of decorating and creativity have given events and fundraisers a wonderful touch. The Alliance City schools administration moved out of the castle in 2022 after a water leak damaged a portion of the south wing, so the Crusaders have a chance to do some serious fundraising to restore it to the way it looked when Col. Morgan built it in 1904-1905. Connie would be happy to talk to you about a generous donation to the cause.
She spends a good amount of her waking hours at the castle almost every day, and I've been told she can tell stories about the people who not only lived at the castle but worked there as well. The people who recommended her for this award said she has a contagious enthusiasm and great love for the castle. She is like the Energizer Bunny. First and foremost, kindness is her mantra.
Alliance Kiwanis is proud to recognize Connie Fussell with this year's Community Service award.
2025 Making A Difference Award
In 2022, the Alliance Kiwanis Club created the Making a Difference Award to be presented to the Alliance Club member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our club. The total membership is asked to nominate a club member who they feel best exemplifies the qualities of Kiwanis International and the local community. The nominee this year has been and is a dedicated leader who does not shy away from responsibility. This individual volunteers in the community, participates in a variety of community activities, flips pancakes, cooks waffles, and is a talented person who constantly gives back to family, the club, and the community. We are honored to present this year's MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD to Pat Gates.
Pat needs no introduction, as she has been one of Alliance Kiwanis Club's most active members since she joined. In Kiwanis, Pat has served in many different capacities and has been the main mover and shaker in most of our fundraising efforts. Chair of the Pancake breakfast, in charge of the Waffle Wagon and now the Waffle tent, coordinator and organizer of our annual Academic Challenge competition. She has served as vice president and president of Alliance Kiwanis...twice, and each time has brought honor and integrity to our club.
Pat grew up in Ohio and became part of the Alliance community as a student at Mount Union College. On campus, she was active in a variety of organizations and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi...after graduation, she remained loyal to the sorority, serving the alumni in many ways.
She was president of the Mount Union Alumni Council and was awarded the Dodie Davis Alumni Service Award, which is the highest award given to an alumnus. She taught math at Marlington High School, where she encouraged and supported students in their love of the subject.
Pat has served on the Habitat for Humanity board for many years and was instrumental in creating an efficient way to identify prospective partner families for the organization. She has worked tirelessly on Habitat fundraisers, supporting the efforts of building and creating Habitat's ReStore, and has been on the build site of many of the current homes, wielding a hammer, hanging drywall, putting in windows, building decks and front porches, and painting.....her passion for math has guided many of our construction managers in keeping the structures square.
Pat works hard for the Community Pantry, where she coordinates the volunteers and helps each week with distribution. She is an advocate for the Pantry and is often called upon to speak to clubs and organizations, telling them about this important mission in our community.
In acknowledgment of her many years of devoted service to Alliance, Pat was awarded the prestigious Athena Award by the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce. She has been a Meals on Wheels driver for the YWCA for many years and was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award by the YWCA board.
As an active member of Union Avenue United Methodist Church, Pat has served on the Admin Council and was its secretary. She is a member of the Altar and Arts Committee of the church and can often be found on Sunday morning, giving a Children's message.
Also pictured below is the Alliance Kiwanis Club's past President, Mel Rittner. Thank you Mel Rittner for your dedication to the Alliance Kiwanis Club and the community of Alliance.
