Helping out with the Heartland Food Bank are club members (kneeling, from left) Gene Spence, Ted Killham, Paul Springsted, (standing) Francis McKnight, Barbara Haden, Janet Davis, Lilly Broder, Erica Klabunde, Larry Watzke, Jack Pagel and Keith Huffman.

Omaha Golden K, Heartland Food Bank impact community



Omaha Golden K impacts the community through its partnership with the Food Bank for the Heartland.

For over 30 years, the club has supported the efforts of the Food Bank with volunteer workers and an annual Food Bank campaign. This year, members contributed over $10,450 in voluntary donations.

On Aug. 16, 11 club members participated at the Food Bank preparing over 600 school backpacks for students in need of weekend meals. The Food Bank provides over 8,300 backpacks a week to area elementary schools. Omaha Golden K has committed to providing a team of volunteers to the Food Bank on a quarterly basis to assist in the sorting and packing of food stuffs for schools and pantries throughout 93 counties in Nebraska and Iowa.

The Food Bank for the Heartland has been designated as a Corporate Member of the Omaha Golden K Kiwanis Club and was the recipient of the District’s 2022 Everyday Organization Hero award.

Submitted by Paul Springsted, Omaha Golden K Kiwanis Club

Nevada nominations prove extra worthy

Nevada Kiwanis submitted nominations for two awards this past summer. The first was for the Everyday Hero Organization Award. Nevada Food at First was nominated. It is an organization that cooks and serves meals to anyone in need twice a week. Many organizations in Nevada, including Nevada Kiwanis, cook and package the meals for delivery or pick-up. 

The program went this direction during COVID and found it could provide many more meals (500+ weekly) than when sit-down meals were served. Pictured are Board President Barb Mittman (holding award) and some of the volunteers. 

The second nomination we submitted was for the Mark Holmer Layperson of the Year. The club nominated member Gloria Lewis. Her selfless care for the community through service in club, her church, the animal shelter, mentoring children through her job as a “Lunch Lady” and many other behind-the-scenes acts each day are inspiring. She does all of this quietly with many people not knowing the extent of her service. She is a blessing to the club and the community of Nevada.  

Submitted by Jody Melcher, Nevada Kiwanis Club

North Platte treats college faculty, students

On Aug 23, the North Platte Kiwanis Club donated and cooked pancakes while Nebraskaland Bank grilled sausage. The breakfast was served free to faculty and college students from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Approximately 200 were served.

Submitted by Rex Cross, North Platte Kiwanis Club secretary 

Mo Valley clubs keep growing at school

The Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis Club wants to be sure education is growing in their community’s school. The club recently donated $250 to support the Lettuce Grow tower at the Missouri Valley Elementary School.

This is an ongoing project at the school that also had the support of the Kiwanis club this past school year. Caley Barker, the K-Kids staff advisor, is pictured with the check that will cover the project for the whole year without interruption.

Submitted by Minnie Fisher, Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis Club secretary 

Cedar Rapids pilot project helping second graders to swim

The Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids funded a local pilot program through the Cedar Rapids Community School District and the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation department. The program supports second grade students in learning to swim.

School children from Cedar River Academy at Taylor School had the opportunity to learn to swim this spring with this collaboration of interested helping agencies and organizations. The Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Club and Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Foundation donated $6,000 towards this effort. Through this Kiwanis partnership with Cedar Rapids Parks and Rec and the Parks, Waterways and Recreation Commission, all Cedar River Academy second graders learned to swim for free. The four-week program includes eight lessons at Bender Pool and a swimsuit. Kids participated in swim lessons during their school day from April 4 to 27.

Organizers hope to identify additional resources to expand the program in the 2023-24 school year.

To learn more about the impact of the program, check out this video: https://youtu.be/proxOfLU_bs

For more information about the Cedar Rapids Club, go to https://cedarrapidskiwanis.org

Submitted by Laurie Worden, Cedar Rapids Kiwanis Club president 

Jefferson club project named 'Yard of Month'

All who use the Raccoon River Valley Trail or the Milwaukee Depot or visit the nearby Freedom Rock, even drive by, receive a warm and colorful welcome from the Jefferson Kiwanis Club’s Trail Garden, which was selected as the Jefferson Garden Club’s August Yard of the Month.

A grant from the Greene County Community Foundation helped with funds used by the club members to completely refurbish and replant the floral areas near the trailhead on East Lincoln Way in Jefferson. Now in its third year, the garden’s wide variety of bright perennials are flourishing.

Visitors will find cone flowers, black eyed susans, coreopsis, hydrangea, false sunflower and salvia now in bloom. Variegated dogwood and Karl Forester grass provide an interesting backdrop. Later this fall, the Sweet Autumn clematis will be in full and fragrant bloom with billowing white blossoms on the pergola structures.

All are invited to stop and appreciate the planting and tending efforts of the Kiwanis Club of Jefferson in this attractive public garden.

Submitted by Tim Buenz, Jefferson Kiwanis Club board member and past president

Ames Golden K Singers still performing

Ames Golden K Kiwanis Singers recently entertained at the 27th Annual Senior Variety Show, held at the Ames City Auditorium. The 25-member group is under the outstanding direction of Golden K's Joe Traylor.

The Golden K Singers group was formed in the early 2000's and hold 15 to 20 yearly performances at various venues in Ames and the surrounding area. 

For more information about Ames Golden K, please see their website www.amesgoldenk.org.

Submitted by Don Muff, Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club