1. Installation Banquet: Our yearly Installation Banquet will be held at the San Marcos Activity Center (Next to the Public Library) and will be Sept. 18, 2026. The menu and choice of caterer is still being planned but we have narrowed it down to either Big Dog Catering or San Marcos Barbecue.
2. Cornhole Tournament and Family Picnic Video: You can view the video on our Facebook page. Please check it out. Steven Hernandez did a great job putting it together.
3. Back to School Giving Opportunities: The Chamber of Commerce sent out information suggesting ways to help kids prepare for the return of school. Last week we talked about volunteering with the Teacher Reuse teacher preparation. The Greater San Marcos Youth Council is currently taking supply donations such as backpacks, pencil cases, lunch boxes, crayons, markers, etc. This drive will continue until July 27, 2026. Do we want to collect our own supplies or purchase them using club funds, Penny Slavik has volunteered to purchase them, for the club, if that is the direction that the club wants to go with.
If any member receives the Chamber of Commerce Member's Connection newsletter, via email, both of the above options are discussed in more detail. If you don't receive this newsletter, Rick Pickering, Jennifer Richmond, and Kelli Whigham do get this newsletter. Reach out to one of them and request a forward from their email.
4. McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp upgraded purchases: Four folding tables and two picnic tables have been purchased to add more seating and table space.
5. Club Banner Parade: DCON TX/ OK host an annual Club Banner parade. In the past several years, our club has not participated because our banner is very outdated. Would anyone like to see our club participate in the parade, using the outdated banner. Please let Jennifer Richmond know if you are interested. More details on the parade to come, if there is an interest.
PROGRAM
Diane Wagoner shared important facts about Fentanyl.
Fentanyl
and
Other
Drug Trends
Zoe Ortiiz assisted Diane in talking about the many dangers that come from
Fentanyl usage
Diane Wagoner, Zoe Ortiz, Fred Delgado, and Blake Dillon are part of a drug task force that share information to children ages preschool to high school, about the dangers of drug use, especially Fentanyl laced drugs. The task force is part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program or HIDTA and was created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, providing assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. In Texas, a lot of focus is placed on the border counties due to high drug trafficking.
In San Marcos, HIDTA reach out to schools, and other clubs involving children. When presenting to young children, their focus is on making healthy nutritional choices, so that they are happy and healthy. As they progress up to older children, the focus becomes more of ways to hurt your body, and the dangers of drugs in general. One thing that is shared with high schoolers is how much fentanyl it takes to kill someone and how easy it is for drug dealers to expose kids to fentanyl. Two programs that have been very effective with children and young adults are the Red Ribbon Week, and McGruff, the dog, taking a bite out of crime.
Sadly, fentanyl can be prescribed, legally, by a physician, but can be deadly to the patient if they take them incorrectly, or forget they have taken them, and re-dose themselves. Dealers can get hold of leftover prescriptions, grind them up, and mix them with copycat drugs. Some dealers can even make these copycat drugs look like Adderall, Oxycodone, or Xanax tablets.
Diane Wagoner and her team emphasize the importance of never taking unprescribed medicine, or medicine that is prescribed to others, even if they are just looking for a quick pick-me-up, sedative, pain relief, or just a quick high. The goal of the drug dealer is to trick others into trusting that the drug is completely safe, and authentic. The dealer's goal is to get that person hooked on the drug, so that they buy more.
HIDTA's goal is to reach as many kids as possible, their families, and other adults, the dangers of the drugs, and how easy it is to get hold of them. Most people have no awareness of this danger, and how easy it is to ingest fentanyl in other ways such as in gummy bears, sour patch kids, Oreo cookies etc.
Today's program was pretty unsettling! Our kids need to be protected!
Fred Delgado had a wealth of knowlege to share with our club.
Don't be afraid to reach out and spread the word! Help make San Marcos, TX Drug Free!
Blake Dillon establish ed the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program in our city.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
July 4, 2026: Inner Club meeting or program (TBD)
July 9, 2026: Salvation Army with Lisa Cruz
July 16, 2026: Need a program
July 23, 2026: Need a program
July 30, 2026: San Marcos Public Library with Jenigh Coleman
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June and July 2026: Teacher Reuse needs volunteers to sort, shelve, fill orders, and help with teacher shopping. Go to Teacher-reuse.org
July 4, 2026: Put out flags
July 15, 2026: Board of Director's meeting at CASA 5:00-6:30pm
Aug. 19, 2026: Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, 10-2pm
Sept. 18, 2026: Kiwanis Installation Banquet at San Marcos Activity Center
BIRTHDAYS:
July 5, 2026: Veronica Medina's birthday
July 9, 2026: Cheryl Petre's birthday
July 9, 2026: Charles Johnson's birthday
July 11, 2026: Jesse Ramos' birthday
July 12, 2026: Adriana Lozada's birthday
REMINDER:
Like and share any social media that mentions the Kiwanis Club. Bring a friend to our next meeting.
MUSING: Supporting someone with drug addiction involves understanding their situation, encouraging professional help, offering emotional support, and maintaining healthy boundaries for yourself.
Supporting someone with addiction can be emotionally taxing. Make sure to seek your own support, whether through counseling, support groups, or trusted friends. Taking care of your mental and physical health ensures you can continue to provide effective support
Helping someone with drug addiction is a gradual process that requires patience, understanding, and access to professional resources. By combining emotional support with practical guidance and healthy boundaries, you can play a meaningful role in their recovery journey.
No jokes today. Drugs are not something to joke about.
