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NewsMore Awards for Des Moines Kiwanis Distinguished Club Designation - Again
The Gift of Knowledge Des Moines Kiwanis presents 25 books to Rhonda McFadden, principal, and Margaret Peterson, ELL kindergarten teacher, in the Greenwood Elementary School Library. Santa and Mrs. Claus look on as the children watch in amazement. What a Year! To All Members: Kiwanis Clubs Present $24,000 to Wildwood Hills Ranch
Members of Downtown Kiwanis honored and recognized on March 7th the many officials and corporate sponsors who have been so important in our Basketball Jamboree. President Steve Scott explained the background of the Jamboree and how we distribute the money received through the Jamboree. We are pleased that Iowa Health Systems has agreed to a six-year commitment at the $2,500 level with a $15,000 payment up front to the Jamboree. Another long-time partnership is with Ronald McDonald Charities—where RMC will again match our contribution. 2007 marked our 59th Jamboree, and we are currently, along with members of the Westside, West Des Moines, and Ankeny clubs, working on the 60th Jamboree for next year. Together we made a payment of $24,000 to Wildwood Hills Ranch--an organization with a 400-acre ranch that furnishes a camping experience to children who are at risk and need a helping hand. Mike Whalen, founder and board member, and Mary Lou Garcia, Executive Director, accepted the check on behalf of Wildwood Hills Ranch. Mr. Whalen made a short presentation as to what the Ranch means to him personally and to see how important it is to the boys and girls who come to the Ranch. Wildwood, in its sixth year of operation, is truly making a difference in the lives of kids and we’re glad to be even a small part of this difference. Kiwanians CAN and DO make a difference… Kiwanis
Recognize Top Area Graduating Seniors
Front row, left to right: Amol Agarwal, Valley; Elizabeth Aljets, Dowling Catholic; Teresa Pham, Lincoln; Jordan Trachtenberg,, Roosevelt; Akilah Jackson-Rushing, Hoover; Angela Hodges, North; and James Fitzwater, North. Back row, left to right: Thinh Luong, East; Youran
Ye, Valley; Karissa Morton, East; John Collier, Dowling Catholic;
Alex Ryan, Lincoln; Shawn Gude, Hoover; and Nathan Dolan, Roosevelt. October 4, 2006 Meeting
Featured Ben Cohen Meals For Those In Need Our Club prepared meals in the kitchens of Westminster Presbyterian Church and carted the prepared meals to the downtown facility. This lasted for six months with the lease not being renewed. All of a sudden, the home for the homeless was homeless! City leaders, led by Bill Knapp, put out the call for immediate help with enough money raised in less than a month (about $500,000) to build a home for the homeless. Construction unions and others donated tools and time; lumber companies helped with raw materials; and soon the new facility, called Churches United, at 205 – 15th Street, in downtown Des Moines, opened to help those in need. Church members and various groups, including our Downtown Club, continued to respond by preparing and serving meals and other volunteer activities. So a long tradition exists in our Club to help the homeless, with member John Kuhn spearheading our efforts—starting in the early days when a few were homeless, to coordinating the nights at the various churches, to buying the food and preparing meals, to the present day site and the continuing need to help. So the need continues. Earlier this year it was again our Club’s turn to prepare and serve the supper meal to at least 80 men and women—men and women with no home to go to that evening. Again coordinated by John Kuhn, several Kiwanians served the hot meal--baked ham, baked beans, tossed salad, bread and butter, and cookies and milk and coffee. Wes Greve, Ron Heggen, and Michelle Wall (and John) were on hand to help prepare the meal. Bob Mitchell, Jan Burch, and prospective member Chris Burch helped serve. When it is our turn again, take the time to volunteer. You’ll be glad that you did—and you’ll want to do it again!
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Distinguished Club Award
or "best of the best" among all club web sites in the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District for 2008-09.
Recognized at the District Mid-Year Conference on January 30, 2010, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Des Moines Kiwanis is one of three clubs in Division 16 to receive this honor. Special congratulations go to 2008-09 president Michelle Wall for her outstanding leadership during the year, and to Carol Stone, club secretary, for all her efforts in participating in and recording various club efforts throughout the year. 
If
you’re an ice cream fan, you’ve probably over-indulged
at one time or another on 
Many
years ago, it was clear that Des Moines had a growing homeless population
and several churches began to “take turns” in providing
overnight shelter and meals. As the population grew, so did the
complexities of moving this population from location to location,
night by night. The churches rented what was the former Jefferson
Lines bus terminal near where the Gateway West area is expanding.