1. Birthday celebrations: Cheryl Petre brought a scrupulous Italian cheesecake to share with the clubs. If you didn't get to taste this dessert, you really missed out! Thank you, Cheryl!
2. Dues: Willie Garza is still collecting dues for the 2025-2026 Kiwanis year. Last day to pay these dues is Aug. 30, 2026.
3. Installation Banquet: Planning for the annual installation banquet is in the finalizing stages. San Marcos BBQ will be providing the food, and the cost for each attendee will be posted soon. Please let us know, as soon as possible, if you plan to attend, and if you will bring any friends or family, as your guests.
4. Kiwanis camp workday: As noted above, this Sat., July 11, 2026, is a camp workday, starting at 9:00am. Bring a friend! The more the merrier! Remember to bring snacks and drinks.
5. Load the School Bus: Rick Pickering shared information regarding a yearly fundraiser/ collection for school supplies, and it is held at the Tanger Outlet Mall. Rick suggested that each Kiwanis member bring new school supplies, to the Grins meeting, each week, and he will take these supplies to the school bus. Rick also stated that he will be contacting Lon Shell to make a monetary request of $200, from the club funds. These funds will then be used to purchase more school supplies. Penny Slavik has volunteered to shop for said school supplies.
6. Key Club conference: Vanessa Westbrook announced that she was able to attend the Dallas Conference, and reported that there were approximately 1000 students, worldwide that attended as well. She proudly announced that 96 of those students were from Texas and Oklahoma district. The theme was a western theme, and she feels it was a very good conference.
7. DECON Conference: Rick Pickering encouraged members to attend the conference, held in Texarkana, as there is a wealth of things to learn about the Kiwanis. The conference will be July 24, 2026, and Vanessa Westbrook and Rick Pickering plan to attend. For more information, contact either Rick or Vanessa.
PROGRAM
Lisa Cruz talked about the many ways that the Salvation Army helps people in our community.
Lisa Cruz has been very instrumental in helping so many members of our community through the Salvation Army. Her funding comes through donations as well as through the Bell Ringer program. Money is tight, and so many people in our community have needs. Lisa hopes to bring in extra financial support by throwing a Gala, although this concept is still in the initial planning stages.
Throughout the program, Lisa touched on the many services that they are able to offer. The greatest cost program is utility assistance. She explained that one day, recently, she arrived at work and found that there were a total of 61 calls from people needing utility money.
Other services include transportation assistance, prescription assistance, clothing assistance, food assistance, and Disaster relief services. Lisa Cruz stated that she personally overseas the birth certificate and ID assistance. Without these documents, people in need cannot apply for housing, jobs, etc.
Lisa also shared several services that are available for kids specifically. The Salvation Army leads "Kathy's Reading Program each summer to help with literacy, as well as a summer camp that is available for kids that might not qualify for other camps. At Christmas time, the Salvation Army has a very successful Angel Tree and Silver Bells program to insure both children and senior citizens have gifts to open.
The Salvation Army has helped a lot of people, but it requires a lot of volunteer man hours to be successful. Lisa was very excited to hear that the Kiwanis Club would be interested in helping with angel tree gift wrapping. Thank you, Lisa, for a very informative program, and thanks for helping the kids in our community.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
July 16,2026: McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp upgrades with Lon Shell
July 23, 2026: Texas State University Equestrian Police Department
July 30, 2026: San Marcos Public Library and their Summer Reading Program with Jenigh Coleman
Aug. 6, 2026: Inner Club meeting
Aug. 13, 2026: The New Hays County Food Bank with Jack Luthy
Aug. 20, 2026: Eras of Music with Harley Slavik
Aug. 27, 2026: What is the Garden Club? How do they help in the community? with Mary Alice DeBow
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, July 11, 2026: McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp workday, 9:00am, bring snacks and drinks
June and July 2026: Teacher Reuse needs volunteers to sort, shelve, fill orders, and help with teacher shopping. Go to Teacher-reuse.org
July 15, 2026: Board of Director's meeting at CASA 5:00-6:30pm
July 16, 2026: New Member Induction of Paul Jensen
July 16, 2026: Bring new school supplies to lunch meeting for the Fill the Bus event
July 23, 2026: Bring new school supplies to lunch meeting
July 30, 2026: Bring new school supplies to lunch meeting
Aug. 19, 2026: Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, 10-2pm
Sept. 18, 2026: Kiwanis Installation Banquet at San Marcos Activity Center
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
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
July 15, 2026: Gary and Sherry Nelson's wedding anniversary
REMINDER:
Like and share any social media that mentions the Kiwanis Club. Bring a friend to our next meeting.
HUMOR AND MUSING ABOUT THE WORLD CUP:
The FIFA World Cup is full of surprising stories, from stolen trophies recovered by dogs to players scoring while barefoot, revealing the tournament’s rich and quirky history.
In 1966, the Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in London and recovered by a dog named Pickles, creating one of football’s most famous off-field stories
During the 1938 World Cup, Italian player Giuseppe Meazza reportedly took a penalty while his shorts fell down, yet still scored, highlighting the quirky human side of the tournament
Lionel Messi has scored in six World Cups, recently breaking the all-time tournament goal record with 18 goals as of June 22, 2026
