Spreading Kindness Through Service

At our recent meeting, Margaret Bosela-Klingzing shared the inspiring work of the Winspiration Foundation, an organization she co-founded with Jason Trusnik to encourage youth service in Strongsville. Their mission is simple: provide opportunities for children and teens to give back and instill the value of lifelong volunteerism.

Margaret highlighted several key programs:

• Holiday Giving Program – Started in 2013, this initiative has grown from one sponsored family to supporting over 147 families in need. Local schools, sports teams, and businesses come together to provide gifts and essentials, making the holidays brighter for many.
• Kindness Camp – A summer program designed to teach young children about compassion, community, and service through hands-on activities like food bank donations, kindness rock painting, and partnering with organizations like Canine Companions.
• SMS Gives Back – A full-day service event at Strongsville Middle School, where students shop, wrap, and distribute gifts to families in need.
• Kelly Kinney Pay It Forward Grants – Small grants available to local youth with ideas to improve their community, named in honor of a Strongsville student who dedicated her life to service before passing away from cancer.
• Future Initiatives – The foundation is exploring new ways to integrate service into Strongsville schools, especially for students who may benefit from positive community engagement.

Margaret’s message was clear: kindness is powerful, and small acts of service can change lives. She encouraged collaboration between local organizations, including Kiwanis, to continue strengthening the community.