“In our 103-year history, the West Side Nut Club has now given a remarkable total of $9,665,222.53 to our community. It’s truly inspiring to see how our efforts have made a lasting impact.”
The West Side Nut Club (WSNC) celebrated a monumental milestone at its annual Founder's Day event, held in the picturesque Discovery Lodge at Burdette Park. With nearly 500 guests in attendance, including WSNC members, community partners, and media representatives, the evening was a resounding success and marked the largest distribution of funds in the club’s storied history.
This year’s Founder's Day saw WSNC officers generously award over $700,000 to a diverse array of local organizations, including youth programs, schools, youth sports, and nonprofits. The impressive distribution is part of the WSNC’s 2024 total giving, which has reached an astounding $827,332.20.
Brandon McClish, 2024 WSNC Publicity Chair, took the stage to reveal a staggering figure: “In our 103-year history, the West Side Nut Club has now given a remarkable total of $9,665,222.53 to our community. It’s truly inspiring to see how our efforts have made a lasting impact.”
This year, the club opted to move the Founder's Day event from its traditional May slot to September, aligning it with the anticipation of the upcoming Fall Festival. "We wanted to bring more visibility to these fantastic organizations right before the Fall Festival, which is the source of all our giving," said Justin Guetling, Founder's Day Chair. "In all my years with the Nut Club, tonight has been one of the most incredible experiences. We just handed out over $700,000 to organizations that will use it to make life-changing differences in our community."
The evening was filled with heartfelt moments and jubilant celebrations as recipients took the stage to express their gratitude and share how the funds would support their missions. The event underscored the WSNC’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals and groups throughout the community.
As the Fall Festival approaches, the WSNC looks forward to continuing its tradition of generosity and making an even greater impact in the years to come. The 103rd Annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival will run from October 7th-12th on historic West Franklin Street.