Kiwanis Club of Carefree Meeting – October 6, 2021

Forty-seven members and 13 guests joined in God Bless America and The Pledge of Allegiance as Kiwanis President Kimberly Jack held the first meeting of the new fiscal year. This meeting was especially informative as there were 5 donation presentations, introduced by Joyce Jordon, chairman of the Funds Request Committee. Desert Foothills Land Trust, North Valley Young Marines, Foothills Food Bank, Tender Little Hearts, and the Upscale Singers each sent a representative to accept checks totaling $23,150.

Becky Cacace told about the Desert Discovery Day and Michelle Eldridge shared how the Young Marines funds are helping with rental space. Leigh Zydonik of Foothills Food Bank is expecting to provide 1,000 meals over the upcoming holidays. Tender Little Hearts is expanding their equine assisted literacy program. Terry Holms-Stecyk noted that Arizona is ranked 45^th in the nation for reading skills. Margaret Watson, choir director for Upscale Singers, extended an invitation for the community to attend their Holiday Concert December 4^th and 5^th at the Desert Hills Presbyterian Church. Hearing the voices of former scholarship winners will elevate the appreciation of how the Kiwanis Club impacts lives of young artists.

Come Be One of Us at Harold’s for the next meeting; Wednesday October 20^th at 11:30. Find out what else Kiwanis has in store!

Tom Leard, chairman of Schools and Education Committee, introduces CCUSD representatives from various departments that received grants, including home schooling programs in this area. [left to right] Sharon Pristash, Elaine Valerio, Patty Jensen, Nancy Scott.

They each spoke about the contributions Kiwanis has made to their programs, including; the addition of outdoor sport and court bleachers, Smart Boards, Wonderbot robots, elementary preschool scholarships, grants for teacher mentorship programs, AP college credit classes and walkie-talkie radios as new part of a Health and Safety pillar.