KIWANIS KEY
Friday August 21, 2026
President Stephen Wheeler rung us in. Kim Thomas led us in song and pledge. Barbara Porter gave a nice invocation. This week’s prayer list includes Robby Talton’s wife, Deanna as she recovers from back surgery, Tim Dunn, Barbara Porter’s daughter-in-law, Nicole, Kirby White, and Fred Cutter’s daughter; Lee Warren was back after his hip surgery; Richard Everette starts treatments next week, and said he is determined to beat it.  Norwood Bryan (Rm 214 Village Green), and Lisa Childers is still recovering from a ruptured tendon, and blood clots.

Guests today included Jesse Bell and Amanda Merino

Kiwanis Birthdays: August 15 Worth Pascal. Happy Birthday Worth!
Richard Everette, due to his illness, resigned as Treasurer and Jason Poole will take over as interim Treasurer until a permanent Treasurer can be found. Godspeed, Richard!
Membership Committee-Adam Phillips was approved as out newest member
 
Terrific Kids Russ Jones reported that all 39 schools have a Kiwanian serving them.
Reading is Fun- 2Rs informed us that books will be being delivered soon.
Golf Committee-October 8 at Gates Four. Save the date. Sign up to play, or sponsor. This is a large club fundraiser so we need “all hands-on deck.” Sponsor a hole, sponsor a team, buy a door prize of $25 or more. The more sponsors we get, the more money to be used for the kids of Cumberland County. See Jay Gothard, Bob McAmis or Bruce Brown. We are approaching an all-time fundraising record thanks to Mark Fisher. Let’s keep supporting this fundraiser!
Splash Pad challenge- John Malzone say that we only need 9 more participants to hit the magic 40. All proceeds go to fund the Kiwanis Endowment.
Past Presidents Worth Smith and Yours Truly gave an L & R involving songs or song lyrics that make us think of some of our favorite Kiwanians. Worth did a great job on the high-tech presentation! It was fun, if I do say so myself….
Sandy Saunders (the Right Reverend Sun Young Moon) introduced our program, who is Jeff Darling with the YMCA: a long time California native, Jeff came to Fayetteville in 2023 to take over as Director. YMCA started in London in 1844 and came to the USA, Massachusetts, as a matter of fact, in 1851. Basketball, Badminton and Volleyball all started at a YMCA. They are the largest child care provider in the country. The local chapter has started a Teen Mental Health program. They conduct a summer food program, older adult day care. They conduct summer day camp and have used a large gift from Kiwanis for expansion of that particular program (now up to 117 children served). They provide after school care, swim lessons. YMCA has a mission statement that is similar to Kiwanis and it was good to hear all the good that the Y is doing in our community and beyond. Great program Sandy!
Danny Highsmith pocketed $33 in winning the 50-50 Raffle.
George Turner outed himself for a cell phone violation.
Our program next week is Denise Langdon with Blue Star Families brought to us by President Elect, Jay Gothard;
Until next week…
Ad Winters