Heidi Collins (pictured at right), Public Relations Specialist with MOSAIC, gave members a brief history of the social service agency and described the variety of services they provide.
Heidi said that MOSAIC used to be known as Bethphage and now operates 12 group homes for developmentally disabled adults in McDonough County along with a consignment store and gift shop known as Beth and Friends in Bushnell.
She explained that their consumers have to be at least 18 years old with developmental disabilities in order to qualify as a client. Heidi invited us, and everyone, to their 21st annual Fundraising Auction at the Elks on West Jackson June 20. Individual tickets are $25. Cocktails start at 5 pm featuring Bryce "Elvis" Dexter. Dinner is at 6 pm followed by guest speaker Este Mathias and then the popular live auction begins at 7 pm. All proceeds benefit the residents of MOSAIC. Their goal this year is to buy two new lift vans. For tickets, contact their office in Macomb at 837-5506.
Gary Sash is June program chairman and has lined up these speakers:
June 2 - Kim Daudelin - Wesley Village
June 9 - Nick Sash - Wealth 3.0 (franchising)
June 16 - Joe and Debbie Vandemark - Their trip to Israel
June 23 - Dr. Loran Erdmann - Childhood obesity
June 30 - Dr. Shana Porteen - Sociology and children
Members of the Monmouth Kiwanis Club joined us for an Interclub. Pictured from left to right are Don Perrin, Bill Clayton, incoming Division Lt. Gov. Nancy Clayton and club President Brett Stahl.
Debbie Vandemark is putting together an Interclub of our own to Carthage on Thurday, May 28. The group will leave from the St. George's Church parking lot at 11:15 to arrive in Carthage for the noon meeting. As of Tuesday night, three members have agreed to go and a fourth is needed to make it a true Interclub.
President Tim Moss presided. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Kiwanis Pledge, John Moon led us in singing "On Kiwanis " and Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Tim reminded us about the Cub Scout camp signup to help check in the scouts each morning next week. He had $3 to donate to someone who can fill in for him on Monday.
The annual Atkinson Kiwanis Club Rolle Bolle event is June 10 starting at 6 pm. Tim says "Rolle Bolle" "is a cross between bowling and horseshoes." We fielded a team last year and would like to do it again. Let Tim or Debbie know if you are interested.
Hassan Espahbodi says there has been a contribution from Wesley United Methodist Church for the School Snack Program that our club has been involved with for a few years to provide snacks to children to take home on the weekends. This has proven to be a very popular program with the students.
Ken Harp gave us an update on the Membership Drive campaign. He asked that you be aware of what team you are on and invite potential members to be our guest and perhaps go on to become a new member. Points are awarded to each member and their team for bringing guests or inviting those who haven't been with us for a while and for new member induction.
Tim said the Flags of Love were rained out on Memorial Day. The next time is on Flag Day June 14.
Tim led a discussion asking members what they think about moving the meeting location to Ponderosa as a permanent site. Jerry Carlson brought up the idea of also looking at The Old Dairy. The issue, according to Tim, is that the treasurer has a number of time consuming dues structures to deal with and is looking at an easier way to deal with dues. The dues we would pay would not include any meal charges since the members would pay for their own meals at that time. Several members contributed their thoughts on the pro's and con's of staying at our current location or moving somewhere else. What do you think? You can take this anonymous poll.
Jeff Paisley - Happy his youngest daughter participated in a
state track meet and "finished quite well against other students from all over the state."
Owen Thompson - Happy Hy Vee has been donating bread to help supplement the Salvation Army food pantry. Owen said that Pepsi has begun donating a van load of different Pepsi products and Wal-Mart has also started donating different products.
John Moon - Happy to get a phone call from his grandson in St.
Louis and being able to get together for a late dinner.
Jack Elfrink - Happy for a family reunion where they were able to also celebrate a couple of birthdays.
Brett Stahl - Happy to report his Monmouth Kiwanis Club installed five new members this month. He said "our goal is 15 new members by September 30.
Nancy Clayton - Happy to be the Division Lt. Gov.-elect taking over from Pat
Stout in October. She's looking forward to working with us.
Tim Moss - Happy his son from New Jersey is coming home to visit.
The 50/50 Drawing was won by Nancy Clayton (who had bought one ticket for each
member of her Interclub family).
The latest edition of the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District "Illeiowan" newsletter is now online.
Have you ever gotten stuck when trying to answer the question "what is Kiwanis?" Here's a quick 30 second response direct from Kiwanis International.
"Kiwanis International is an international organization of member-volunteers who give more than 6 million hours and more than $100 million each year to help change the world one child and one community at a time. Any community need can become a Kiwanis service project, especially if the need involves children, who should have the help and the right to lead healthy, successful lives. We believe that helping a child helps the world."
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