Grundy Center teaming up

for projects

The Grundy Center Kiwanis provided a hot dog meal and sponsored the foam cannon for the combined event of the Chamber Main Street block party and King Library Summer Reading Program this summer. About 300 people were served at the event in June. 

A free will offering jar was sent out, hoping to break even. Because of people’s generosity, the club ended up making a small profit.

In July, the Grundy Center Kiwanis sponsored the Felix Grundy Festival breakfast. It’s an annual event. The club had a record-breaking turnout of nearly 500 customers. Along with 21 Kiwanians, help also came from 17 members of the newly formed SMAARTans Booster Club which supports Speech, Music, Art, Academic Decathlon, Robotics and Theatre.

All profits from the breakfast will go toward upgrading the sound system in the Grundy Center High School auditorium. 

Submitted by Tim Melloy, Grundy Center Kiwanis Club secretary 

Harlan Golden K helps out food project

The Harlan Golden K Kiwanis partnered with the Harlan Immanuel Lutheran Church and Shelby County Chamber of Commerce to provide a refrigerator in the lobby of the church to provide food for needy kids in Harlan. 

The church had shelves for food but it was in need of a refrigerator to provide chilled food. Thanks to a $1,000 grant received from the District Foundation this past year, the club was able to purchase and install the refrigerator. Also provided was a cart to be used for more items that are not refrigerated. The church lobby is open 24-7 for children in need to come and pick up food during their free time, after school and/or weekends.

Hy-Vee grocery store, as well as Hanson House retirement community, have been gracious to donate food on a daily basis and Aktion Club members volunteer to transfer the food, police the area and make sure it is clean and presentable to welcome the children.

Pictured are Aktion Club Members Thomas Sondag and George Fritz.

Submitted by LaVonne Force, Harlan Golden K Kiwanis Club secretary 

Ottumwa Kiwanians make funnel cakes

In June, Ottumwa Kiwanis members made funnel cakes for the Legacy Foundation. The grant the Foundation provided allows the Ottumwa Kiwanis to move forward with their fundraising for the kids of Ottumwa. Pictured are Theresa Ross, Marta Shafer, Teri Ortgies, Garrett Ross, Joan Garrett, Lori Mason, Rachel Shadduck and Tom Shafer.

Submitted by Tom Shafer, Ottumwa Kiwanis Club 

Kiwanis, Rotary work together

for service project in Le Mars

There was a wonderful union of two important service clubs in Le Mars, Iowa in June.

A joint packing event for Honduras was organized by the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs of Le Mars. The clubs packed for TFJO (Then Feed Just One) food for Honduras.

They had a certain amount of money and a goal in mind and that marker was achieved in 1.5 hours. At the conclusion of the event, they fed 14,256 children in that short amount of time. Many thanks to all 30 volunteers for their wonderful effort!

Submitted by Barb Hames, Le Mars Kiwanis Club

North Platte club meets Miss Nebraska, works another rodeo

The North Platte Kiwanis Club members have been having a great summer. On June 6, a program was given by Miss Nebraska Steffany Lien. Steffany was in North Platte for the Miss Nebraska pageant, which was officially her last week of duty.

She had a great program and told of her travels around the state the past year. She is pictured with Club President-Elect.

This summer, the North Platte Kiwanis Club also completed its 56th year of taking tickets, scanning tickets, passing out programs and ushering during Nebraskaland Days Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The rodeo runs four nights – Wednesday through Saturday.

This year, Key Club members and Aktion Club members helped with the project, scanning tickets and passing out programs for those attending the rodeo.

Pictured are Aktion Club members handing out programs and Miss Rodeo America stopping by to visit as she went through the gates.

Submitted by Rex Cross, North Platte Kiwanis Club secretary

Alta club recognizes member, partners with Aurelia club

The Kiwanis Club of Alta, Iowa recently presented Dick Anderson with an honorary member certificate for his lifetime service to the club. Dick became a member in 1999 and has been active in all fundraisers and activities ever since. Due to his health, he cannot do the activities with community kids, however he still attends club meetings. 

Dick has been very vocal, making sure area kids are priority in the decisions of the club. Dick was one of the men who first built a can/bottle bin for the biggest fundraiser the club has had. He also provided his fishing boat for kids to go fishing with Kiwanis members, as well as having the boat in the annual school homecoming parade with the fifth graders in the boat. Dick has been a large asset to the Alta Club! 

Pictured is Club President Pam Henderson presenting Dick Anderson with the Honorary Member Certificate.

In other news, May was an exciting month for four senior students of the Alta-Aurelia School District as they received $1,000 scholarships. The cities of Alta and Aurelia consolidated the two schools a few years ago so the two Kiwanis clubs work together because the students come from both towns. Alta Kiwanis provides for two scholarships and Aurelia Kiwanis provides for two scholarships. The winners were announced at the Senior Awards Night with Alta Kiwanis and Aurelia Kiwanis members presenting the certificate and checks.

May and June have been very busy for both Alta and Aurelia Kiwanis clubs. The two clubs rotate and provide people to take money at the home baseball and softball games held in Alta. Nineteen evenings/mornings were scheduled for the session plus two district tournaments. 

April was the Alta Kiwanis annual pancake fundraiser. There were over 300 people who came. The money raised provided finances for 12 trees which have been planted by members of the Alta Kiwanis Club in the Alta City Park. Alta has lost almost 400 trees due to the Ash Borer Disease. The city park was hit hard with the disease so Alta Kiwanis decided to put the pancake fundraiser money towards trees for the park. Last year's fundraiser was also put towards the first 12 trees. In the years to come, kids and adults will benefit from the 24 trees Alta Kiwanis provided.  

In February, Alta Kiwanis provided a pancake lunch for all students in the Alta Elementary/Preschool and Alta-Aurelia High School buildings. Many compliments from students and staff were received. The Aurelia Kiwanis also does this in the Aurelia Elementary and Alta-Aurelia Middle School building. Each time members of both clubs help out the other. Pictured is Jim Sanders helping the Alta Club serve pancakes to school students.

Submitted by Pam Henderson, Alta Kiwanis Club President

Mo Valley K-Kids ride

in parade

The Missouri Valley K-Kids took part in the Harrison County Fair Parade on July 22.

Submitted by Minnie Fisher, Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis Club secretary  

Marion Sunrisers to continue with new leadership

The Marion sunrise club is alive and well after 50 years of wonderful service to the children in their community of Marion, Iowa. They voted on new officers for 2023-2024 to carry on the name of the charter club. The original members are giving the younger generation officers a chance to flourish with a full bank account to start their journey to serve children. Good luck to the new club officers and a big thank you for keeping the club alive. 

By Cathy Weber, Lt. Governor Division 9