| Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. |
NEWSLETTER Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids Wednesday, January 14, The meeting was called to order by Vice President Dan Breitbach. 17 Members in attendance. Guests: Byron Tabor Birthdays: John Locher, Katie Hiatt-Braasch, both Jan. 17: Mike Poggenklass, Paula Grady, both Jan 20 Anniversaries: Announcements: Byron Tabor pursued his sneaky tactic to get volunteers for Lieutenant Governor – again cleverly deflected until later; CREW meeting at the Hiawatha City Hall on 1-20 ( Tony ?, longtime Kiwanis activist, expects to attend with newly regained ability to see after 40 years of blindness); Governor’s Visit will take place on March 26th; March 14 is the tentative date for a dodgeball tournament between CREW and the Kennedy Key Club (this conflicts with our Farmer’s Breakfast, and may be moved)’ Chairman Dan will hold a finance committee meeting on Jan 21 at 11 prior to the regular weekly meeting. Happy Bucks: Kevin Carlson thanked Ron Sunderman for accepting his long standing role as catcher of the slings and arrows of the club, even though the level of wit is frequently lacking; Keith Sutherland was REAL happy to have survived a spinout into the median on I-380; Dan Breitbach seconded the thought with another buck; Don Grimm was real happy for his indoor hobbies, given the subzero temps outside; Katie Hiatt-Braasch threw in an extra dollar in recognition of her milestone birthday; Doug Dix was happy to predict that there would be no snow in May; David Graeff happily noted that pitchers and catchers would report to Spring Training in three weeks. Upcoming Programs: Monica Vernon, City Council Representative, will speak next week Speaker: Mary Beth Minges, program director at the Four Oaks Bridge in NE Cedar Rapids, discussed the history, mission and current programs of the Bridge. They provide prevention and intervention services to troubled kids, community care and after care, after school activities. It is a specialized subset of the larger Four Oaks organization, and primarily serves upper grade school children after school. They keep them busy, challenge them with learning opportunities such as Lego League, help with homework, etc. The after school program costs only $100 per year, which amounts to perhaps a fiftieth of the cost of providing the services. They are funded by private donations, and are supported by volunteers for many of the activities. Word for the day: Submitted: Dan Breitbach - El Verboso Bloviatoro |