Lincoln clubs team up for garden project

Lincoln Center Kiwanis and Lincoln Northeast Kiwanis teamed up to build five raised garden beds in February. The beds were transported to Easterday Recreation Center, a Lincoln Parks and Recreation facility providing adaptive recreation programs for youth and adults with disabilities. Students from Northeast High School will assist with gardening maintenance.

Submitted by Becky Keep, Lincoln Center Kiwanis secretary

Chariton Kiwanians hold annual pancake fundraiser

On March 2, the Chariton Kiwanis club hosted its highly anticipated Annual Pancake Fundraiser, drawing overwhelming community support and participation.

The event, a cornerstone of the club's fundraising efforts, showcased the dedication of the local community to fostering positive change. The heartwarming response from the community kept the griddles sizzling as club members tirelessly flipped pancakes throughout the event. The Annual Pancake Fundraiser is a vital source of funding for the Chariton Kiwanis, allowing them to finance various impactful local initiatives.

Funds raised during this event play a crucial role in supporting essential community projects. Among the notable endeavors are the repair of the Lucas County Little League concession stand, sponsorship of free books for children at the local farmer's market, the provision of annual scholarships for graduating high school students pursuing technical education, and more.

The club had the honor of hosting esteemed guests at the fundraiser. Division 15 Lt. Governor Tom Shaffer and Nebraska-Iowa Governor Dale Doudna attended.

The Chariton Kiwanis extends heartfelt gratitude to the community, volunteers and special guests for making this year's Annual Pancake Fundraiser an overwhelming success. Their collective efforts contribute to the club's ability to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Submitted by Kristine Kennedy, Chariton Kiwanis Club

Polk City club raises money for skating rink

The Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District Foundation granted Polk City Kiwanis $3,000 for the Polk City Parks Ice Skating Rink project. The planned $8,000 rink will be placed on top of the existing basketball court in Kiwanis Park during the winter months. The rink should be completed Winter 2024. The $3,000 is added to approximately $1,000 already donated by Polk City Kiwanis. 

Kiwanis Park was established by the City of Polk City 26 years ago with a large Polk City Kiwanis grant. The park is located north of downtown Polk City at the corner of Third Street and East Northside Drive. The 5-acre park has a basketball court, volleyball court, gazebo and soccer fields. The Kiwanis Park has been used for intramural kids and adult leagues. Several years ago, Polk City Kiwanis granted Polk City to purchase and install new picnic tables in the gazebo. Four years ago, Polk City hired a park coordinator and then, upgrades and organized sports in the park really took off. Last year, the Kiwanis Club gifted the Parks Department $3,000 to upgrade the volleyball court. 

Kiwanis of Polk City felt this investment was crucial in making a difference for the kids of the Polk City community. Polk City has a population of 6,500 with 50% being children, pointing out the need for not only adults but children's activities.

Pictured are Polk City Kiwanis members Jason Thran, Janet Hromatko, Steve Weideren, Mark Triplett, Monica Converse, Tanya Harrington and Krista Bowersox presenting the $3,000 grant to Polk City Parks Director Jason Thran and Friends of the Parks Member Brandon Converse,

Submitted By Krista Bowersox, Polk City Kiwanis Club; Photo by Kyle Matzen

Grundy Center raises money with breakfast

The Grundy Center Kiwanis had a fundraising breakfast on Feb. 11. The club had wonderful help from the Grundy Center Schools K-Kids. They were a great help working the dining room.

Lt Governor Susan Loy also came from Cedar Falls to help. She has been very willing to come to club events and share her vision on how Kiwanis can serve the children of the community.

The money raised will go towards the Spartan Pantry at the high school, the library's summer programs and many other community needs. 

Submitted by Tim Melloy, Grundy Center Kiwanis Club secretary

North Platte club wrap up several projects

On Feb. 17, North Platte Kiwanians and Key Club member cooked and served pancakes at an elementary School, The Lake School, for their "Fun Night”. Approximately 200 people were served and there were 21 Key Club members helping

with “Fun Night”.

The following Saturday and Sunday, Key Club and Kiwanis members scanned tickets and worked the concession stand at the Community Playhouse.

On Feb. 20 at Jefferson School, the third grade class received certificates and a “BUG” T-shirt if they brought up their grade. All the third-grade students received I Love “BUG” stickers.

Submitted by Rex Cross, North Platte Kiwanis Club secretary

Mason City-River City gets help with spaghetti dinner

The Mason City-River City Kiwanis Club finished out the month of January with their annual Spaghetti Dinner. The club utilized nearly half of its membership, over 50 members, to cook and serve over 750 meals to the community while raising several thousands of dollars for the kids of North Iowa.

But, it gets even better…the kids clubs were involved in serving drinks and food to tables, cleaning and making sure there were cookies on every table. That means 46 more helpers!  K-Kids, Builders Club and Key Club were all represented. Of course, getting the kids involved with one of the most-loved foods for kids, the club members had to make sure they knew how to spell ‘spaghetti’. If they didn’t before, they do now!

Submitted by Dana Thomas, Mason City-River City Kiwanis Club

LeMars club works with other service groups for food packing

The Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and the Lions Club of LeMars came together on Feb. 29 for a wonderful packing event in cooperation with Then Feed Just One and Mission Honduras LeMars. The goal was one full pallet of food (14,256 meals), all at 18.5 cents per meal. Everyone did an amazing job and hit the goal in 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

All the major players in food, hunger and malnutrition in this world all report about the same numbers:

- 45 million children under the age of 5 will suffer from malnutrition this year

- 3.5 million children under the age of 5 will die from malnutrition this year

- 365 (number of days in a year) into 3.5 million. The result is staggering: just under 10,000 children under the age of 5 will die in each 24 hour period from malnutrition. 

The food made will be going to Camp Adre in eastern Chad (just west of Sudan where scores of displaced people go to be safe). It will be unloaded in the port of Douala, Cameroon, and then trucked it all the way to Chad.

All these people together fed 14,256 children. The clubs cannot save all 3.5 million of those little kids but working together they can make a huge difference!

Submitted by Barb Hames, LeMars Kiwanis Club

Lincoln Sunrise reports two recent projects

Lincoln Sunrise Kiwanis set up a project in December challenging every Lincoln Kiwanis Club to purchase one Baby Trend Trooper 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat from Walmart. Lincoln Sunrise provided matching car seat to the one provided by each club.

They were then donated to the Nebraska Children’s Home, Lincoln Division after the end of the project on Jan. 20. Donations in funds and/or car seats were received from Lincoln Cornhusker, Lincoln Capital City, Lincoln Northeast, Lincoln SouthPointe and Lincoln Southeast. Members from Lincoln Sunrise also donated monetarily. As a result, 13 children’s car seats were delivered by Don Cunningham, Lincoln Sunrise president, on Feb. 6. Pictured are Don Cunningham; Liz Cunningham, Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Specialist; and Chelsea McCoy, Pregnancy, Parenting and Adoption Specialist Supervisor.

In February, Sunrise Kiwanis collected donations of hygiene products for homeless older youth/young adults that are served by Cedars in Lincoln. Items included deodorants, toothpaste and brushes, shampoo, body wash, diapers, and other hygiene items. The donations filled up the back of Audrey Mason’s vehicle when they were delivered on Feb. 22. Pictured are the donations with Audrey Mason and Ted Ericson. 

Submitted by Ted Ericson, Lincoln Sunrise Kiwanis Club secretary

Nevada Kiwanians gather groceries for kids in need

On Feb. 29, Nevada Kiwanians delivered bags of groceries to Nevada High School. The bags will be given to students in need, so they have food to eat during spring break. This has been an annual activity for many years.  Pictured (from left) are Mike Wagner, Joe Melcher, School Employee Elizabeth Gindt, School Employee Wendy Stanley and Ann Malven as the groceries were being unloaded. 

Submitted by Jody Melcher, Nevada Kiwanis Club

Spencer Hy-Noon raising money, showing kindness

Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis has several projects to report.

The club recently donated $1,000 to Upper Des Moines Opportunity to purchase goodies for Easter baskets.

Club members have also been busy doing random acts of kindness. This project involved such acts as Kiwanians placing a surprise in a book at the library; giving to a coworker who's young son has leukemia; sharing with Girls Scouts; treating the mailman; and sharing at Many Hands Market. There were other acts of kindness too. Members received a $10 bill from the club’s treasury to share for this project. But, they were also reminded to show kindness EVERY DAY!!

The club also reports that three members recently received a Ruby K award pin, representing 25 new members gained. Merlin Winter and John Rahn each received a five member pin and Karen Buchholz received the 15 member pin. Presenting the Ruby K Award pins was Lt Governor Ryan Porath.

Submitted by Karen Buchholz, Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis Club secretary