Big Mac club completes trail project

The Ogallala Big Mac Kiwanis Club helped complete the renovation of Tri-Trails Park, which marks the intersection of the Pony Express route and the Oregon and Texas Cattle Drive Trails. Working with the State Arboretum, the National Pony Express Riders Association and other local groups, the club spearheaded the $34,500 project over the last year.

To raise funds for the Zambia:Stay Strong project, Ogallala’s Builders Club did a coin collection contest instead of Trick or Treating this year. They raised $412! The Builders Club is sponsored by the Big Mac Kiwanis Club. 

Submitted by Susan McBride Krab, Ogallala Big Mac Kiwanis Club president

North Platte club adds to annual food pantries total

The North Platte Kiwanis Club recently donated a total of $6,500 to five food pantries in Lincoln County from the club’s 30th annual “Pasta for Pantries”. More than 90 individuals and businesses made donations this year.

Food pantries at North Platte Schools, Grace Ministries, Hershey/Sutherland, North Platte Catholic Community Food Pantry and the Salvation Army received the funds. A pasta dinner is held at the end of the project each year and attended by donors, pantry workers and other members of the community. The fundraising effort began as a night golf tournament for 11 years and evolved into Pastas for Pantries. More than $150,000 has been generated in the 30 years.

Pictured are (from left) Molly Morales, Brandy Buscher and Maggie Butler of the North Platte Schools; Betty Sones and Rex Cross of North Platte Kiwanis; Tammy Miller of Grace Ministries; Kristine Forden of the Hershey/Sutherland food pantry; Ron Rankin of North Platte Kiwanis; George Bayer of the North Platte Catholic Community food pantry, who is also a North Platte Kiwanian; and Canon and Chaslyn Landry of the Salvation Army.

The club has also recognized Dan Neff, owner of Capones, with the Distinguished Service Award for providing the pancake batter for "Pancake Day” for many years. Dan has done this for other fundraiser pancake events the club does in the community too. The great thing about this is the batter is pre-made - pop the lid off the container, stir a little, pour into the dispenser and drop the batter on the grill.

Submitted by Rex Cross, North Platte Kiwanis Club secretary 

Missouri Valley club donates money for games

West Harrison Community Schools was the recent beneficiary of a $500 donation from the Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis Club. 

The school used that money to purchase some new games for the kids to use inside, when students are unable to go outside for recess or when a teacher wants to let the kids have a little fun in the classroom.

Items purchased included a Giant Size Connect 4, Large Jenga Set, Magnetix, Rug-size Checkers Board, Large Ring-Toss/Tic-Tac-Toe game, Larger Size Twister Game and Small Individual Etch-a-Sketch boards. Showing some of the games are members of the K-Kids.

Submitted by Minnie Fisher, Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis Club secretary

Grundy Center club helps county-wide effort

The Grundy Center Kiwanis Club recently presented Christmas in Grundy County with a $500 donation. The Kiwanis club has supported this organization since it began 12 years ago.

Christmas in Grundy County is an all-volunteer, county-wide, non-profit organization. It assists families who may be struggling financially in Grundy County during the Christmas season by providing a shopping experience, characterized by choice and dignity. Serving families with children birth through 18 years old is the first priority. 

The Grundy Center Kiwanians also recently wrapped up its biggest fundraiser of the year. Over 950 pounds of pulled pork were sold!.

Under the expert direction of Dave Graham and over two weekends in October, the Kiwanis Club smoked, processed, packaged and delivered over 950 pounds of pork. Not only do community members buy for their own use, some purchase the pork to be delivered to the local food bank and the High School Spartan Pantry. Club members are very appreciative of all who made a purchase again this year.

Submitted by Tim Melloy, Grundy Center Kiwanis Club secretary

Milford club starts birthday box project

The Milford (Nebraska) Kiwanis Club has a new project this year called “Birthday Boxes”. Birthday boxes are containers filled with items that would be necessary to provide a birthday party for any kid. 

Donations are taken of cake mixes, frosting, sprinkles and candles. Items not received through donations are provided by the Kiwanis club. Other small gift items were included in each box as well. 

Birthday Boxes were packed according to various age groups. The boxes are distributed through the Milford Food Pantry and provide the opportunity for all kids to have a birthday party.

Submitted by Ron Petsch, Milford Kiwanis Club secretary assistant

Seward Helping Hands holds dinner with SLPs



Helping Hands Kiwanis of Seward recently held its annual dinner for the installation of officers. As part of the annual installation, the club also invited the newly elected officers and their parents of the K-Kids Club and Builders Club that they sponsor at St. John School. The Kiwanis club covers the cost of the family meals and awards. This is a great way to recognize the SLP leaders and get them and their parents involved with the Seward Helping Hands Kiwanis.  Pictured are K-Kids Club officers on left and Builders Club officers on right.

Submitted by Ron Petsch, Seward Helping Hands Kiwanis Club secretary assistant