JANUARY 2009                                               

PAST ISSUES: Past issues are available by clicking on Archives at the bottom of the Newsletter page.

DEFINING STATEMENT: Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

NEW ADDRESS: We now have a P O Box for our address to assure we receive all correspondence. The new address is: P O Box 2754 ,  zip 34973.

AUCTION: Even though our Radio Auction was cancelled for this year, we were still able to raise about $700 with the Dolphin tickets donated by Red Larson and other items that had been collected and auctioned off to the club members.  

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING: We will again participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring event sponsored by the NFL. Members are encouraged to bring in  dry and canned goods to be donated to the Food Pantry at the Presbyterian Church. The presentation will be at the  Jan 29, meeting, but items may be brought in at any meeting  until then.

YMCA: The Board has discussed supporting the formation of a YMCA here in Okeechobee as a Club project and Mr John Lass, Pres/CEO of YMCA of the Treasure Coast, was our guest speaker on Jan 8. A steering committee has been formed in the community and Kiwanis members Jim Vensel, Paul Mitchell and Greg Thogersen will join Brandon Tucker as members. The first step is to fund a feasibility study to determine if a YMCA is needed and can be funded by the community.

SCHOLARSHIPS: The Board has discussed making changes to our scholarship program. Suggestions include reducing the number and requiring the recipients to be members of the Key Club. A final decision will be made at the Feb Board meeting.   

SANTA IN THE PARK: Head Santa Marcos reports that Santa was a huge success this year and was better attended than in past years. Although not a fund-raiser, we made about $900 and this will be needed to purchase camera equipment for future years since Polaroid has stopped production of film. Thanks to Marcos for coordinating and to everyone who helped decorate the bandstand and take the decorations down.

EYDC CHRISTMAS PARTY: The Christmas Party for the Eckerd Intensive Half Way House was held on Dec 9 and was the best ever according to those who attended. The 30 young men were very appreciative of the gifts the Club provided, all the baked "goodies" and the Polaroid pictures.  Thanks to everyone who donated drinks and baked goods, the members who went out, and to Rev Jim Dawson for the program. Plan to attend next years event!   

SPEAKER SCHEDULE: The speaker schedule for 2009 is posted on the web site under the "Speaker" tab. Jay Zeller is again coordinating. Please contact Jay with any questions or problems providing a program.  

NEW MEMBERS: Welcome to our first new members of 2009: Diana Whitehall of the Okeechobee News and Lori Mixon (J D's Mom) of the Tucker Group.  

GET CONNECTED: The Kiwanis International Magazine has introduced a monthly email update called the Kiwanis International Update e-zine. To subscribe to this free service, log onto www.kiwanis.org/magazine/subcribe.asp .

CONDOLENCES: Our sincere sympathy to the family of Kaye Mullins on her untimely death. Kaye is a former member and was Provost at IRCC.

WORDS OF WISDOM: "I contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle"- Winston Churchill. 

IMPORTANT DATES (also see Events):

Jan 8: Board Meeting (following regular meeting)

Jan 29: Souper Bowl of Caring

Feb 5 : Board Meeting (following the regular meeting)