Welcome back, fellow Kiwanis members!  Hope everyone had a wonderful and meaningful Christmas holiday season!  2026 brings many promising programs, fundraisers, and events that will help the children in our community!

 

Rick Pickering, past president led today's meeting, as Jennifer Richmond, our president, was under the weather.  It was a good meeting!

 

 

1.  Over the holidays, Jennifer Richmond was able to successfully submit the clubs Membership Plan.  This will help us plan our year goals and expectations.

 

2.  Rick Pickering shared a brief update on his visit to the Luling Kiwanis Club.  It is a small club, with a membership of about 10 people, but this club is very involved in the community.  He suggested to the Luling Club, that he would love to see us gather together for an interclub social.  Hopefully, we can get this organized.  It would be great to share both club's successes!

 

3.  Jesse Ramos gave an update on our clubs upcoming "Picnic and Cornhole Tournament" to be held on April 25th, 2026, at Southern Star Events.  His committees goal this year is to make the event more family oriented, focusing more on the picnic aspect, incorporating jumping castles, pony rides, games, etc., as well as bringing back the popular cornhole tournament.

 

4.  Signature Member Project is a contest held by Kiwanis International to encourage clubs to submit events or projects that makes that club unique.  Rick Pickering suggested that our club should highlight the McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp and benefits it gives to our community.  Rick is willing to be a part of this submission.

 

Our program for today was presented by Jessica Cain, Director of Neighborhood Engagements for Southside Community Center.  She is in charge of the day-to-day services offered to those who need to eat, receive personal hygiene care, housing, or financial assistance often faced by those who are homeless or in low economic situations.  She also coordinates with volunteers, food and money donations, and fundraising events.

 

1. Meals: Southside Community Center prepares daily breakfasts, dinners, and snacks for anyone in need.  Most of the food is prepared in house, but community partners bring in prepared meals, as well.

 

2. Personal hygiene care:  The Southside Community facility is able to provide 4 separate showers, as well as limited washers/dryers, to help with daily personal hygiene.

 

3. People are permitted to use Southside Community Center as their point of address contact.  This helps those seeking employment or a place to receive mail.

 

4.  Shelter or housing programs:  Jessica coordinates temporary housing, as well as long term housing.  Sunrise Village, located behind the Sunset Bowling Alley, has 100 units available for senior citizens.  Jessica also works with landlords and courts to help people avoid eviction, by providing 1-3 months of financial and case management, to help people catch up or get back on their feet.

 

Jessica shared that Southside Community Center impacted around 1000 people, served 16,000 meals, and has seen a growth of 25% of needs in 2025 compared to previous years.

 

Every year, Southside Community Center hosts a fundraiser, in the Spring, and encourage businesses, organizations, and partners to set up a booth with games for the children in the community to play.  This year, they hope to charge $5.00 per child.

 

Good program and very informative!  Thank you, Jessica!

 

 

 

Jan. 15, 2026:  Need a program

 

Jan. 22, 2026: Service Dogs.org with Sheri Soltes

 

Jan. 29, 2026:  Marketing and Outreach with Christi Murillo

 

 

 

Dec. 26, 2025:  Lon Shell's birthday

 

Jan. 4, 2026: Chase and Kristi Dame's wedding anniversary

 

Jan. 18, 2026:  Gary Nelson's birthday

 

Jan. 20, 2026:  Erica Simmons' birthday

 

Jan. 24, 2026:  Randy Cook's birthday

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026:  Board meeting at CASA, 5:00pm

 

 

 

 

 

Remember to like and share any social media that mentions Kiwanis events!  Bring a friend to the next meeting!

 

 

 

Why does January like the calendar?  Because it's number one.

 

On January 15, 1919, a 50-foot-long storage tank burst in Boston’s North End, unleashing 2.3 million gallons of molasses. 

 

January didn’t always begin the new year. It was added to the Roman calendar, along with February, by King Numa Pompilius. Its role as the year’s opening month was later formalized under the Julian and Gregorian calendars.