Division 11 club's Ames Town & County Kiwanis Club, Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club, Cyclone Aktion Club and Nevada Kiwanis Club were sponsors, along with Ames Rotary Club, for two Ames Miracle League teams for the inaugural  Spring, 2022 season.

As team sponsors, the clubs were responsible for working with the Ames Parks and Recreation Department to organize the six-game, Spring 2022 ML season. Coordinated by Ames Parks and Recreation Department, 31 adults or youth (over 5 years of age) with disabilities were divided into two teams.

Team sponsors provided funding for ML T-shirts for each player.  As needed, team sponsors provided “buddies” to assist the players, helped organize the team line-ups, served as the PA announcer, served as “cheerleaders” for players and performed other duties during the games.

Miracle League games are two innings in length.  Every participant plays offense (bats) and defense (positions on field) for each inning. The pitcher and catcher are from game sponsors or other adults. There are no strike/balls. After two tries, the player “hits” the ball off a ‘tee’ placed on home plate. The last batter each inning “hits” a home run to clear the bases. The score is automatically “tied” at the end of the second inning so that everyone wins!

For one of the spring season games, ML participants were “buddied” with several Iowa State University women’s basketball and volleyball team members.  The pictures help “tell the story” and clearly show the relationship-building between the ML participants and the ISU players. It was a very “special” day for the ML players, ISU women and Kiwanis members. Truly, all players, “buddies,” visitors and Kiwanians had aa great time!  Likewise, ML is a great example of partnering among Kiwanis clubs, Ames Parks and Recreation Department and ISU Athletic Department.  A six-game fall season will be held late August through early September.

Submitted by Larry Trede, Division 11 lieutenant governor-elect

Creston Kiwanians recently helped at a bunk bed build for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The project was a joint one with several other community service groups.

The Creston Kiwanis Club assisted with Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s bunk bed build on June 21 at the Union County Fairgrounds. Kiwanians sanded, pre-drilled holes, built side rails, headboards, safety rails, stained and branded alongside other volunteers from Creston Rotary and Creston Lion’s Club.

Total assembly time for 20 beds was just over three hours. There were 15 volunteers from Creston Kiwanis Club plus two spouses. The club also contributed $1,667 for this project. Beds will be delivered later this year to those children in the Union County community that are in need. It was a very successful project.

Several club members also volunteered at another event. They worked the gate at Fridays After Five at the Creston Elks Lodge on June 3. There were 122 paid attendees, which means the club received $610. Not bad for two hours worth of work!

Submitted by Kyle Wilson, Creston Kiwanis Club secretary

On June 4, the Kearney Golden K Kiwanis held a food drive to help stock the shelves of the Jubilee Center and East Lawn Food Pantry.

Thank you to Kearney's Boogaarts, Apple Market and Family Fresh for allowing club members to set up in front of the stores.

A big thank you goes to the Kearney community for supporting the food drive. Pictured is one mother who wanted her daughter to learn about caring for others through a generous contribution to the food drive. What a wonderful teaching moment.

Submitted by Lou Maxson, Kearney Golden K Kiwanis Club president-elect

This was also the time for the Fun Fund Drive. For over 20 years, the club has provided an opportunity for local businesses to make a contribution to help fund the club’s many local projects.

The goal for this year was set at $8,000 and thus the goal has been exceeded by $940. Some businesses donated gift cards. Those were auctioned off to club members, and that money placed into the administrative account. A jewelry store donated a lovely bracelet, and the bids are still coming in for that.

The flag and flagpole sales are going great, Col. Dave is the chairperson for this project that he started it in 2005. Income from the sale and installation of flags and flag poles average $2,000 a year.

June saw the concession trailer out and about in the area. Father’s Day weekend found members in Walnut for that town’s Antique Days.

The club also made a donation to the local Relay for Life, as well volunteering some hours to help with the event.

For the 2022-2023 Kiwanis year, the club has elected co-presidents. They are Jean Stamp and Peter Gray. The new vice president is Kim Stowell. Janice Brown was reelected as secretary and Mike Barnes was reelected as treasurer.

Submitted by Janice Brown, Atlantic Kiwanis Club secretary

Grundy Center Kiwanis provided a hot dog lunch for the kick off the Kling Memorial Library summer reading program.

A little rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 120 children attending kick off fun and games.

Submitted by Tim Melloy, Grundy Center Kiwanis Club president

Spencer HyNoon Kiwanis did its part to keep the community clean. Seven Kiwanians sported orange vests, supplied by the city and cleaned a ditch that enters Spencer to the East. It's hard to find a date when the ditch isn't full of water.

Some 200 pounds of trash was collected! This year, club members didn't find any “unwanted” surprises. There were lots of car seat clean-outs. This is a yearly project for Spencer HyNoon.

Builders Club and Kiwanians partnered and cleaned DeWolf Park. These kids learned what it means to celebrate Earth Day and clean city parks.

Submitted by Karen Buchholz, Spencer HyNoon Kiwanis Club secretary

Kiwanis and Key Club had a presence when the cowboys and cowgirls rode into North Platte for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in June. North Platte Kiwanis Club members along with some Key Club members worked the entry gates for the event and helped to welcome those who came to watch.

Clubs are invited to share their projects and happenings. Article and photo submissions are due by the 1st of every month to NIKiwanisDistrict@gmail.com.

An online link to this newsletter will also be made available on the District Website, Click Here

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