The Taylorville Kiwanis Club held their monthly board meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge Tuesday morning, reviewing the club's efforts to serve local children and youth.
Kiwanis Membership chair Adam Jeffrey gave a report on the ongoing "2 for 2" membership campaign.
Scholarship committee chair Dick Wamsley reported applications for this year's round are due April 10.
The Kiwanis board OK'd participating in the annual effort to collect non-perishable food and monetary donations for the Taylorville Food Pantry at the Miller Media Group front parking lot from 8:30am til noon on these dates: May 6, 13, 20; July 8, 15, 22, 29; and September 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Pancake and Sausage Breakfast chair Chuck Martin said the volunteer sign-up sheets for the April 29th event were filling up nicely, and asked that the Key Club be contacted to provide additional volunteers.
Kiwanis Kids Day chair Bruce Blanshan reported that the insurance form for the September 22nd and 23rd event had been submitted, as was the City of Taylorville form to work the Harrison Corner those days.
Fundraising committee chair Will Perkins reported tickets will be printed soon for the first-ever Kiwanis raffle drawing. Tickets will be 50-dollars each or 3 for $100, with only 500 tickets to be sold. The drawings will be live on WTIM Radio during their Morning Show on June First.
Kiwanis Park committee co-chairs Duane Stock and Larry Kemner reported the new grills have been installed and tables are being built to be installed. They also set Saturday, April 15th at 10:30am for the spring clean-up day at the park, with Kiwanis volunteers to bring rakes, shovels, and other clean-up equipment. Playground timbers will also be given attention this year. Stock also indicated they're continuing to explore disc golf for the park.
Kiwanis Student Leadership chair Will Perkins reported 4 members of the club brought pizza to the Kiwanis Builder's Club at the Junior High last Friday. Some 25 junior high students attended the event. Perkins added he also met in March with the Senior High Key Club, and they indicated they'd provide help for the April 29th Pancake and Sausage Breakfast.
Priority One chair Bruce Blanshan told board members that he's working with the Taylorville Police and Fire Departments on a Car Seat Safety Day with the seats to be donated. He added that the annual Kiwanis Bike Rodeo, in cooperation with Taylorville Memorial Hospital, takes place this year May 20.
And, Blanshan told the board that 36 children are enrolled in Taylorville Head Start for the '23-'24 school year; the board had a discussion on expanding the "Coats for Kids" program with direction given Blanshan to contact the Taylorville School District to find out how the club can provide the District coats to go to needy children in the district.
Kiwanis Interclub chair Blain Cornwell reported on the recent Kiwanis member visits to the Key and Builder's Clubs, and he added he's awaiting word on whether the North Mac Club will schedule its annual Fish Fry.
Program committee chair Brad Davis thanked the Kiwanis members who continue to volunteer in arranging programs on a monthly basis, with April and May filling up quickly.
Spiritual Values chair Dick Wamsley reported this year's Prayer Luncheon is scheduled for May 23, 2023 with featured speaker Father Kosk. Wamsley will be seeking nominations for the "Spiritual Leader of the Year" from the Taylorville community.
Adam Jeffrey reported he's handling implementing the club's long-time participation in the Manners Park Easter Egg Hunt. A bike will be given to the child finding the special egg containing the bike gift certificate.
