Tess Neff

It is inspiring and uplifting to hear from the college students who received the Kiwanis Club of Lakewood scholarships. Hearing about their university choices and different majors from engineering, education, music therapy, to psychology made for a fascinating lunch meeting. Congratulations to all the emerging leaders and trailblazers!!

I saw this post by the LPD and decided to share it. It’s a fun idea to make the collection of food/hygiene products a competition between the four wards. 🥫🪥🧴🧼 Every donation is a huge help for those in need.

December thus far has been delightfully heartwarming. This post is a bit longer than my usual but I fell behind and I want to share all the good. The 2025 Light Up Lakewood festival was wonderfully fun. I’m definitely in the holiday spirit now! 🎄

During our Lakewood Kiwanis holiday gathering the group presented a monetary donation to the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace. No child should have to sleep on the floor, and the donation will fund the purchase and building of 44 beds for kids! 🛌

I am honored to be serving as the Vice President in 2026 for our local judicial organization, the Northern Ohio Municipal Judges Association. Im especially proud to be working with new President Judge JJ Costello (Cleveland Hts. Municipal Court) and new Treasurer/ Secretary Judge Anne Oakar (Cleveland Municipal Court)! A shout out to our outgoing President Judge Ann Walton Keller who graced us with her exceptional leadership. Looking forward to doing good things in 2026. ⚖️

Tuesday the Westshore Bar Association honored attorney Lynne Lazzaro for the 2025 Stanley Stein Lifetime Achievement Award. 50 years in the practice of law! Congratulations Lynne and well deserved.

The Lakewood 2025 Firefighter Recognition Ceremony is always emotionally moving. Our community gets to sleep easy knowing the men and women of the LFD are sacrificing to protect us.

There were 413 judges from Ohio that attended the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Ohio Judicial Conference last week. The education content and camaraderie was excellent! ⚖️📚

It was a gorgeous day for the 37th Lakewood Community Festival. A fun time volunteering with the Lakewood Kiwanis for the book give away program. Lots of reading going on this evening!

It was a packed house for the twelve public servant honorees who have dedicated decades to their particular court or public agency. It was a privilege for me to nominate and present Sue McKeon with her award for 26 years of loyalty to the Lakewood Municipal Court. Well deserved!!

The Legal Aid Society Jam for Justice fundraiser event was a smashing success. Bands comprised of attorneys and judges, good food and friendships made for a fun evening. Legal Aid is a valuable legal resource for low income and vulnerable individuals in our community.

Good things are happening in Lakewood!!The annual Hayes Elementary School adopt a spot is in full bloom! Congratulations to the 14 Lakewood resident seniors who were awarded the Lakewood Kiwanis Chapter scholarship for $10,000. Their aspirations and future studies will make our community proud. Way to go class of 2025!