Kiwanis Club Closes Out 2024

Donna Dubey, Jill Sandberg, Maryann Wittmann, and Susanne Grossman purchase toys.

Sandy Schmadeke, Kathleen Reynolds, Jill Sandberg, Barb Murphy, Ed Crane, Cindy Crane, Pat Hagedorn, Joel Gewirtz, Rose Kraemer, Judith Battista, Doreen Herriman, and Donna Dubey.

Maggie Smith, Donna Dubey, Judith Battista, Susie Walsh, and Doreen Herriman selling 50/50 tickets at Stan's.

President Jill Sandberg, speaker Hugo Llorens, and Arne Sandberg.

President Jill Sandberg and Fawna Michaels of Marco Island Charter Middle School.

Pat Hagedorn-lucky 50/50 winner.

Barb Murphy, Dave Walsh, Ed Crane, Cindy Crane, Rob Reiley, Mrs. Clause, Santa, Rose Kraemer, Sandy Schmadeke, Jill Sandberg, Donna Dubey, and Joan Pidherny are ready to give out toys.

Marco Island Academy Key Club members with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Mrs. Claus, Rose Kraemer, Santa, Barb Murphy. In the back row, Joan Pidherny, Sandy Schmadeke, Kathleen Reynolds, Kim Heinemann, Cindy Crane, Dave Walsh, Susie Walsh, Ed Crane, Jill Sandberg, Larry Heinemann, Donna Dubey, and Rob Reiley.

Posted Wednesday, December 25, 2024 7:00 pm

Submitted

Kiwanis Club of Marco Island closed out a busy December with their dinner meeting held at Marco Presbyterian Church. Sixteen members and guests enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner,  a very interesting talk by Hugo Llorens, and a fun gift exchange. 

Mr. Hugo Llorens, a retired American diplomat with an extraordinary 36-year career under eight Presidents, has served as US Ambassador to Honduras, and as the US Special Charge d'Affairs of the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. He also served in Sydney, Australia. His posting spanned six continents, and his presentation was fascinating. 

Kiwans was also pleased to host Fawna Michaels from the Marco Island Charter Middle School, who works with Kiwanian Larry Heinemann on the Builder's Club.

Another month-end event was the rewarding yearly donation of toys to Manatee Elementary School. Kiwanis raises funds all year for the project, which allows them to purchase toys for each child from Pre-K through fifth grade. On December 7, toys were purchased from Walmart. On December 8, 50/50 tickets were sold at Stan's to raise funds to help pay for those toys. On December 16, 14 Kiwanians, six Key Club members, Santa, and Mrs. Claus all went to Manatee Elementary School to help brighten the day for each child there. The looks of pure joy on the faces of the children was so rewarding and demonstrates the best of the Kiwanis mission to make the world a better place, one child at a time.

The next Kiwanis Club meetings will be Wednesday, January 8th, for a luncheon at Marco Presbyterian Church, Thursday, January 16th, for a breakfast at Ori's Bakery with Terrific Kids, and  Thursday, January 23rd for a dinner meeting at Marco Presbyterian Church. If you would like to join our club and help in our mission to make the world a better place, one child at a time, please contact Secretary Cindy Crane at lucindaed@aol.com.

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