I'm running a little bit behind, this week, as I was busy with a very successful Kiwanis Great Pumpkin Dash! More information on this event after the program notes and announcements!
Last newsletter, I shared information about the event that several Kiwanis members participated in called RISE: Against Hunger. I shared that meals were packaged, via, assembly line style, and in a little bit over an hour, 10,000 meals were put together. I have since found out that these meals will be heading to Kenya, to feed the hungry children, and their families.
On a personal note, I would like to give a quick shout out to Jennifer Richmond! Representing the Kiwanis Club, she helped this secretary check for nasty pumpkins at the FUMC pumpkin patch! Also, her daughter, Kristi Dane took advantage of the pumpkins for some beautiful family pictures.
MEETING NOTES:
1. Camp Workday- The workday was rescheduled for Oct. 25, 2025, the same day as the Great Pumpkin Dash 5K. Texas State offered a bunch of volunteers, and this allowed us to have volunteers "in two places at once".
2. Veterans Day Parade: We will need lots of help, both in setting up, decorating, and parade participation. A signup sheet was passed around for members to commit to a specific task. If you were unable to signup, please touch base with Lon , as he is chairing this committee.
3. Member Social: Our first social for the new Kiwanis year, will be on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, and will be held at the Kiwanis McBride Wilson camp. Willie plans to grill food, and members are asked to bring sides and desserts. Definitely, bring a guest!
4. Dues are Due: If you have not had a chance to pay your dues, you can pay Willie Garza, at our Thursday meeting, at Grins. Dues are $250.00 for the whole year, or $125.00 twice a year (Oct. and May 1)
5. Committees: We still need someone who would be willing to be a Grant Coordinator. If you would like to volunteer for this committee, please let Jennifer Richmond know. We also need more members to help with the Community Support committee. There are many opportunities to set up a booth to promote our club and just spread the word that we are a club looking for new members.
Type caption here
Type caption here
Type caption here
6. Kiwanis Great Pumpkin Dash 5K; The race was a big success! We had 79 runners sign up to participate, and 65 that braved the rain and ran. The Chick-Fil-A cow made an appearance and brought lots of chicken and biscuits for everyone to snack on after the race. Susie passed out tee-shirts to Kiwanis members on Oct. 23, 2025, and the club looked great in them at the race! We had lots of volunteers to help! Thank you, Susie and her committee! You did a great job!
Yanci Arevaldo from Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos
PROGRAM:
Yansi Arevaldo gave a nice presentation on the purpose of the Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, located where the old Bonham school used to be. She explained that there are many after school programs are available, such as Art, Music, Ballet Folklorico, and Mariachi Band. Most of these programs are geared towards kids, but they do offer adult programs, as well. These programs are offered free, or at a low cost. They also host exhibits throughout the building to promote local artists, especially Latino children. Cultural Events are planned to help people in the community understand the meaning of things like "The day of the Dead,", and how to set up the memory table. Yansi explained that they were a non-profit organization and received their funding through grants and sponsorships. Since her programs are culturally based, she is able to set up opportunities for the kids to perform at community events, such as Kiwanis fundraisers, etc...
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
Oct. 30, 2025- Internal Club meeting: Youth Protection Training. Very important for members to attend if you need to update your training. Remember that any activity involving kids, requires this training.
Nov. 6, 2025- Guardian of the Children: Kenny Brannon
Nov. 13: Art League of San Marcos, TX-: Nancy Brown
CALENDAR:
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025- Club Social at Kiwanis McBride Wilson Camp.
Remember to bring sides or dessert. 6:00 pm.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025- Veteran's Day parade
Reminder: Click "like" and share all of Kiwanis events on social media.
