Lincoln Sunrise reports recent projects

Lincoln Sunrise Kiwanians was busy in December.

One project was Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army. The club had not done this for a number of years. President Don Cunningham encouraged members to do this and set up the date and time at Gateway Mall on Dec. 7, in about the only indoor entrance to JC Penney so members could stay out of the elements.

For several years, Sunrise Kiwanians has provided gifts for kids who are served by the Salvation Army. The gifts filled up the back of Ken and Audrey Mason’s vehicle when they delivered the toys on Dec. 11. Pictured with the Masons is Theresa Tuttle, program/volunteer coordinator for the Lincoln Salvation Army.

On Dec. 19, several members spent part of their morning wrapping gifts for kids/families served by Cedars. Cedars exists to ensure that all kids have a safe environment where they can grow and thrive. Sunrise has wrapped gifts at Cedars for several years. It is a great activity for a great cause. Pictured (top photo) after wrapping the gifts are members (from left) Gene Lessman, Audrey Mason, Rob McMaster, Gus Dornbusch, Rita Bartzatt and Ted Ericson

Submitted by Ted Ericson, Lincoln Sunrise Kiwanis Club

Nevada club helps shelter

Every January, Story County Youth and Shelter Services does a Point in Time survey of homeless people in Story County. The Nevada Kiwanis Club annually donates 30 backpacks and supplies needed to YSS to give to homeless people during the survey. 

Supplies include toiletries, snacks, a blanket, hand warmers, a can opener, water and a convenience store gift card. Pictured are Joe and Jody Melcher of Nevada Kiwanis and Jessica of YSS.

Nevada K-Kids have been busy too. The Service Leadership Program club held a coin war to raise money in December. Their goal was to buy socks for kids. They raised $220 and were able to buy 200 socks. They donated them to Harmony Clothing Closet, which is a business where people can get free clothing and household items. Pictured with the K-Kids is Elizabeth Gindt, the director of Harmony

Submitted by Jody Melcher, Nevada Kiwanis Club

Omaha Golden K members create with preschoolers

Omaha Golden K Kiwanians were delighted to welcome two- and five-year-old students from Countryside Community Church’s Kindernook Preschool to the Jan. 30 meeting. They helped create 80 Valentines bound for Omaha area veterans hospitals on Valentine’s Day 2024. 

The kids applied crayons, stamps, stickers and much creativity to construction paper and envelopes. In the process, they slashed the collective meeting age by decades. Many of the members are grandparents and loved spending time with little ones. 

Omaha Golden K likes to occasionally interrupt usual meeting order and decorum and tackle a special project when a month has a fifth Tuesday in it. The preschoolers will be welcomed back to the next five-Tuesday month in April.

Submitted By David Sanders, Omaha Golden K Kiwanis Club

Cedar Falls Rough Risers help with Koats 4 Kids

Koats 4 Kids is a local organization that gives away coats, boots, scarves, gloves and hats to children in Black Hawk County in need of winter apparel.

The Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis Club has backed this operation for several years, with monetary donations as well as volunteering time. Eight Kiwanians helped give clothing to over 100 children at Becker School in Waterloo. About a month earlier, four were involved in a similar operation at another school in Waterloo.

Annually, approximately 1,800 children receive needed winter clothing. The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers appreciate the opportunity to help in this very worthwhile project.

Submitted by Jim Larson, Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis Club

Carroll Kiwanians partner with Rec Center for event

On Dec. 9, the Carroll Kiwanis Club sponsored Pancakes with Santa. In partnership with the Carroll Recreation Center, members offered an event where boys and girls can eat pancakes with Santa and also take part in a photo shoot with him. 

All proceeds from this event are returned to the Rec Center to be used for soccer team T-shirts in the spring. Kelly Danner, club president, and Nate Lueth, club treasurer, are pictured 

Submitted by Barb Danner, Carroll Kiwanis Club secretary

Lincoln Center club offer Nature Night activities

Lincoln Center Kiwanis participated in Nature Night at Pershing Elementary on Jan. 25 by offering activities focusing on soil health and conservation, soil runoff demonstrations, liquefaction (quicksand), soil filtration of colored water, cover crops and soil biology.

Kiwanians participating were Jim Murphy, Kwame Gyamfi, Bruce Chapman, Becky Keep, Jim Culver, Mike Kucera and Kurt Glathar (not shown). 

Submitted by Becky Keep, Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club secretary 

Missouri Valley clubs conduct food drive

The Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis’ Food Drive in December was a success. The goal was to collect 388 items and donations exceeded that goal with 690 items for the Harrison County Food Pantry. The picture shows fifth grade K-Kids and all the items.

Submitted by Minnie Fisher, Greater Missouri Valley Kiwanis Club secretary

Ames Golden K makes multiple donations

Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club recently celebrated the 15th year of its Charity Donation Program. The program is a Signature Project and all the annual donations go to 16 charities in the Ames area. 

The program was designed and started in the 2008-09 Kiwanis year. The first year, there were very few donations by the club and funds were raised through “Pancake Days“ since it was the only fundraiser for the club.  Over the years, the program has grown tremendously in terms of fundraisers and money awarded to charities. For 2023-24, it is anticipated that an additional $15,000 or more will be awarded through the program. 

From the program beginning to current date, more than $287,000 has been donated to these charities who in turn use the funds to “…improve the lives of children and families in the greater Ames community.”

This year, the club’s Board of Directors also decided to offer five $1,000 grants in addition to $16,000 awarded through the Charity Donation Program. Applications were received from 12 groups. Checks to winners were presented at a recent meeting with District Gov. Dale Doudna present. 

Receiving these checks were Ames Northwood Pre-School, materials for sensory tables and hands-on learning materials for their STEAM Lab; Ames Public Library, books for children ages kindergarten through eighth grade that focus on diverse materials that engage and excite readers; Boys and Girl’s Club, Story County, a new upright freezer for their Kids Care-food support program; Child Serve, an interactive wall mount sensory toy for our main waiting room; and Raising Readers in Story County, books for distribution at public community events within the Gift Books program. 

In other club news, the Ames Golden K Singers, under the direction of Joe Traylor, entertained 100 plus members, spouses and guests at their Mid-December meeting.

The Golden K Singers hold numerous concerts at church, school, local organization, and community venues throughout the year and have been a substantial contributor to Ames Golden K membership recruitment during their 20 plus years as a group. 

Submitted by Larry Trede and Don Muff, Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club

Omaha club decorates community homes

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Omaha spent a Saturday morning in December decorating porches and entryways at three Mosaic community homes. Holiday lights, wreaths and decorations for the project were donated by club members. And, of course, the holidays would not be complete without some cookies for all. Members also donated personal care items, hats, scarfs and gloves which were presented to Mosaic personnel for distribution.

The Mosaic network spans 13 states and provides supports for nearly 4,900 people. Services empower people with disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs and autism, as well as aging adults to live their best life.

Club members are looking forward to expanding the project next year.

Doing the decorating were (from left) Lynda Henningsen, Joyce Finnell, Hector Santiago, Anthony Geissle, Brian Donahoe, Jana Donahoe and (not pictured) Marla Fries.

Submitted by Lynda Henningsen, Omaha Kiwanis Club

Vinton Kiwanians continue holiday tradition

The Vinton Kiwanis Club outdid themselves again this year for an annual tradition in December. They invited children from the school district to enjoy lunch at the Vinton Pizza Ranch and then were treated to a visit from Santa.

Santa brought gifts to all of the children with the help of the elves at the North Pole and some of the local elves.

Submitted by Tom Husnik, Vinton Kiwanis Club secretary

Johnston Kiwanis Club serves annual mentor meal

The Johnston Kiwanis Cub spent Dec. 17 preparing and serving the meal at the annual Mentor Iowa Holiday Party. They have been providing the meal for more than 30 years. They spend quality time with the mentors and mentees. The event is full of excitement, with games, crafts and even a visit from Santa. ­­­­­

Reprinted with permission from Johnston Living Weekly

Two Kearney clubs team up

for annual

bell ringing

Members of the Kearney and the Dobytown Kearney Kiwanis clubs rang bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive on Dec. 9.

Submitted by Lou Maxson, Kearney Kiwanis Club

Atlantic Kiwanians report December activity

December was another busy month for the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic, Iowa! The Atlantic Kiwanis Club’s newest project — Bike Rescue — reaped a reward for seven area children. The Atlantic Police Department and the Atlantic Parks and Rec donated 47 used (and sometimes abused) bikes and scooters. The bikes from the police were abandoned bikes. The ones from Parks and Rec were from their prior bike rental program.

Kiwanians refurbished 15 bikes in time for Shop With A Cop. Seven of those were given back to the police so they could give them to the children. Pictured is the first two bike give aways with Police Chief Devin Hoagh and Kiwanian Steve Green. Oathoudt Farm Supply provides a storage and work space, The Bike Farm provides parts at cost and Dvorak Tire donated tires/tubes as needed. More bikes will be available for the April Bike Helmet program at the Cass County Elementary schools.

The club continued its long running commitment for Salvation Army Bell Ringing on Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ninety percent of the funds collected stay in the community.

The club also had an entry in the Cancer Society’s Festival of Trees and two entries in the Lighted Parade. In addition to providing meal ingredients for a family weekend meal to the 13 Head Start Families (since 2018), members have helped with a monthly craft project as well as story time at the school. It is hard to tell who enjoyed it more—the kids of the helpers!

The YMCA, Food Pantry and now West Central Development are requesting Kiwanians volunteerism for their activities. Members are pleased that the community recognizes Kiwanis for our community spirit and our commitment to children and communities.

Submitted by Janice Brown, Atlantic Kiwanis Club Secretary

Spirit Lake club celebrates with 100 year old member

Robert Boettcher had his 100th birthday on Jan. 23 and celebrated at a Spirit Lake Kiwanis Club meeting.

He has been a member of the noon club for 58 years! He still attends meetings and is so much fun and has awesome stories to tell. 

Submitted by Susan Clark, Spirit Lake Kiwanis Club secretary

Spirit Lake High School Junior and Key Club Co-President Teegan Jones was recently selected to be a senate page in the Iowa Legislature during the Legislative session, which started in January. He was one of many applicants who applied for the program. Only eight-page positions are offered. The Spirit Lake Key Club is led by Faculty Administrator Becky Gaskill. 

Submitted by Tracey Domgard, Key Club administrator

Milford club gives special award

For many years, the Milford Kiwanis Club in Milford, Iowa has rented tents throughout the community and area to be used for graduations, weddings, marketing, special occasions and more. For the past several years, the tentmaster has been Dick Anderson. 

The club recently named Anderson “Outstanding Kiwanian” and presented him with an award. He has been a member of the club for over 20 years and also serves on the club’s board of directors. As tentmaster, Anderson coordinates all of the rentals and schedules the crews for set up and tear down.  

Submitted by Mary Rasmussen, Milford Kiwanis Club assistant secretary