David said they were able to get a good deal on buying the bus and had all the seats removed to make room for bookshelves for the books they distribute. Our club was there at the beginning donating $250 to help purchase books.
He said would they would like to start buying theme related books about conservation, rain forests, wildlife habitats and the environment.
When the bus is not on the road, it is normally parked across the street from the Western Illinois Credit Union on University Drive.
David is hoping other groups and organizations will also contribute to the READY bus so they can continue to buy more books and reach more children. He said "Prairie Hills is striving to reduce illiteracy within its six county area by encouraging children to read."
Newly installed President Debbie Vandemark presided. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Kiwanis Pledge, John Moon led us in singing "Take Me Out To Kiwanis" and Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Guests included Dana Isackson, Junior High Principal at Macomb High School, who was representing Macomb Schools, a new corporate member of Macomb Kiwanis. Ted Pawlias brought his wife Donna, and said she is "the love of my life and who also wants to become our newest member." We look forward to Donna joining us.
Debbie brought in several boxes of Kiwanis peanuts. Our annual Peanut Days will be the next two weekends in October. Friday, October 16, we'll be at both Hy Vee and Wal Mart giving away bags of peanuts in exchange for donations. Saturday, October 17, we'll have an entry in the parade. Debbie and Tim will hold up a new Kiwanis banner in the parade.
Debbie holding up one end of the banner and Tim Moss is out of the picture but is holding the other end.
The parade begins at 10:30. We had sign up lists for members to give away peanuts during the parade around the Courthouse Square and Chandler Park.
We'll be back at both Hy Vee and Wal Mart Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24.
Debbie has new Kiwanis t-shirts. Get them while they last. They're $10 and $13, depending on size.
Debbie announced that we have received a $500 check from Walker Robb as a donation to our new Playground Project. Those donations are now tax deductable since we have 501(c)(3) status with the IRS through our participation with the Moline Foundation.
Ken Harp said new member orientation will be held as soon as a good time and location can be obtained. He'll inform us later as to when that will be, hopefully sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Debbie passed around a sheet for program chairman. We need someone for November but discussed having member oriented meetings for a couple of weeks in November on finances and education.
Rick Bulger will be reading at Lincoln and Edison Schools on October 22 for our Picture Book of the Month program.
