KCOT PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL INDIAN BEND WASH CLEAN-UP: Twelve members of the Kiwanis Club of Tempe joined other Tempe volunteers on April 27 for the annual Indian Bend Wash clean-up. The group spent the morning working on an assigned area, cleaning up rubbish, making trail repairs and removing dead brush. An unidentifed person is at far left, followed by members from left are Mark Richwine, Steve Stewart, Sharon Kausal, Linda Spears, Laurel Jefferson, Judy Aldrich, Kerry Fetherston, Cheryl Hornyan, Robert Kizere, Pam Goronkin, Shana Ellis and Joe Schmoker.

KWANIS CLUB HOSTS EASTER EGG HUNT MARCH 22 AT KIWANIS PARK: In Linda Spears' famous style of wondering and then doing, Kiwanis Club of Tempe has a new, fun service project for children: An Easter Egg Hunt at Kiwanis Park on the Saturday before Easter, March 22. Volunteers are needed to help, and the call goes out for members to encourage children from around Tempe to take part in the free event. It is open to all children age 10 and under. It will be held in the Kiwanis Park south soccer fields, 6111 S. All American Way. Eggs can be redeemed for prizes, and Mayor Hugh Hallman has agreed to be dressed as the Easter Bunny! Colorful posters were handed out Thursday to be put on bulletin boards at schools, churches, businesses or other places. Children can register to take part online to win a giant filled Easter basket. Sign-ups continued Thursday for volunteers to help set up for the hunt and later to help with the event itself. There are several shifts. If you haven't signed up and want to do it by phone, call Linda, (480) 966-6648. It should be lots of fun for kids and grownups. And its at our own Kiwanis Park.

KIWANIANS KEEP TAKING READING TO HEAD START KIDS Robert Kizere reports that the “Read to Exceed” project has excelled in its first six weeks. In the program, Kiwanians visit classes of Head Start at any of three locations, West Side Multigenerational Center, Curry Elementary School or Laird Elementary School. Over the weeks, there have been some great stories told about the experience, and children that welcome the readers. Each time the team leaves behind copies of the book read for each pupil, with a Kiwanis nameplate. It’s simple, yet compelling, service work that help show children how essential it is to learn to read early and to develop a lifelong personal practice. Robert reports he has found some strong two-people volunteer teams but welcomes more helpers. “I don’t’ have time” is not an unacceptable excuse to not help out, he said, because it only take a maximum of an hour a month, including drive time. He noted that he was telling his doctor about “Read to Exceed” and recruited her, even though she has a full plate of professional, family and community obligations. He said January’s schedule of weekly visits is almost full. Darlene Pany accompanied him last Saturday to a Scholastic Book Sale where they got a great deal and came home with six-months worth of books that will be read and given away.

KEEP THE TOYS, GIFTS COMING Judy Aldrich thanked Kiwanians who have been buying and bringing in Christmas gifts for the mom and son in the Homeward Bound program and for the Tempe Community Action Agency Holiday Toy Shoppe. She said items were coming back, and she invited Kiwanians to take the last remaining tags on the small tree. Please finish this out and get the last items to Judy and Beth Fiorenza (for TCAA) by next Thursday, Dec. 20. (Don’t wrap them). Judy said she and Jim Yount will deliver the items to the Homeward Bound family after Kiwanis next week.

HOMEWARD BOUND FAMILY GETTING CHRISTMAS HELP FROM KCOT A small Christmas tree stood on the back table of the Shalimar meeting room on Thursday trimmed in white tags as decorations. Judy Aldrich, second only to Robert Kizere, as a holiday decorator, had written items on the tags that Kiwanians could buy for a mom and young son who are enrolled in Homeward Bound. They need basic items like cleaning supplies, rugs and kitchen items and car oil services, plus some things like restaurant cards. Most of the tags were gone by the end of the meeting. Please have those back to KCOT in the coming weeks, by Dec. 20, unwrapped. Judy and “Santa Claus Yount” will take care of the delivery to the family. If you did not get a tag, but want to help, call Judy, (480) 343-1602 (cell).

KIWANIANS ASKED TO BUY ITEMS FOR TCAA HOLIDAY TOY SHOPPE Kiwanians, the holidays are fast approaching and all of us at Tempe Community Action Agency are excited! Once again we are opening the Tempe Community Action Agency Toy Shoppe to provide a store for parents to choose gifts for their children including a gift wrapping service. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to a meeting from Nov. 29th - Dec. 13th. The Toy Shoppe "opens" from December 17-20 - if you would like to volunteer, please contact Monica Cagle at 480-350-5879 or monicac@tempeaction.org. POPULAR CHARACTERS: Spongebob, Superman, Dora, Spiderman, Brat’s, Barbie, Zoey 101, Hannah Montana, Batman, Thomas and Friends and Disney Princess.   - Beth Fiorenza, TCAA Executive Director

GINGERBREAD FLOAT ROLLS IN ANOTHER FANTASY OF LIGHTS PARADE Penny Pease thanked all those who had some role in KCOT’s gingerbread house float in the Fantasy of Lights Parade on Nov. 24. She thanked her co-chairman, Diane Schans, and special help from Jim Yount in untangling the electrical cords and lights and getting them distributed. Penny thanked all who arranged for children to be on the float. Among them were Kade Stout, Madison (daughter of NoRa Trevino and Chris Wilson) and kids found by Darryl Jacobson-Barnes. Penny thanked Rich Joos, Mark Richwine, Cory Woods and Chung-Kai “CK” Liu for special help and support in getting the float readied and into the parade. She urged DTC and Kiwanis to explore attracting more outstanding, eye-catching entries -- even bringing in some of those that roll down Central Avenue the following weekend at the APS Fantasy of Lights Parade in downtown Phoenix. Thanks to Penny and Diane for all the work they do year after year to get the float readied and showcasing KCOT in the parade.

HOMEWARD BOUND MOM AND SON TO GET KCOT HOLIDAY HELP Judy Aldrich announced Thursday that KCOT has adopted a small family (mom and son) registered with the Homeward Bound program and that our members will be asked to purchase items they need in this holiday season. Next week, Judy will have a tagboard with tags listing specific items to be bought by Kiwanians and returned. Judy said Homeward Bound takes homeless families and makes sure they have shelter, get a job and design a household budget that they live with. They will need a lot of very basics, including household things like toilet paper, cleaning items, rugs, etc. Look for the board next week. Do NOT wrap them and have them back in the following weeks.

THANK-YOUS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB SERVICE PROJECT
Message of Vic Cordts, KCOT member Branch Executive, Tempe Boys and Girls Club Another very big heart-felt, appreciative THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who assisted with putting on our annual Thanksgiving dinner for our members, their guests and family at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley Ladmo & North Side Branches in Tempe! Thank you everyone who donated food and/or prepared it. I once again received many "thank you's" from parents (which is not typical believe it or not), so your efforts are impacting. It is always difficult to get an accurate count because attendees arrive late or are up out of their chair but an initial count yielded 267. That was close to the beginning of the event and their were only a few of the 300 chairs not taken in the gym. I especially want to acknowledge the tremendous effort our branch board members made to ensure the food for the event was acquired and prepared. President George Storto, Past-President Linda Spears, and Judy Aldrich are vitally instrumental in this aspect. We look forward to next year's event, maintaining the fine tradition for years to come between our board and KCOT.
Message from Linda Spears Dinner was served to 350 Boys & Girls Club members, their families, staff and volunteers. It represented 60 service hours. The food was contributed by Diane Schans, Beth Fiorenza, Rod Johnson, Pat Hatton, Sharon Kausal, Kathy Stevens, Shana Ellis, Pam Goronkin, Mark Mitchell, NoRa Trevino, Penny Pease, Ralph Lingerfelt, Judy Aldrich, Curt Ritland, Corey Woods and Linda Spears. Volunteers from CKI were Amanda Badali, Kaetlynn Daoust and CK Liu and from KCOT were Tom, Debbie and Alan Sands, Corey Woods, Curt & Linda Ritland, Pam Goronkin, Mike Cryer, Judy Aldrich, Beth Fiorenza, Mike Jennings and friend, Melanie Burford; Sharon & Dick Kausal, Mark Mitchell, Ed Ableser, Kathy Stevens, Shana Ellis and Kade Stout, NoRa Trevino and Maddie, Shawn Ward, Marcie Greenberg, Kerry Fetherston, Bill Wagner, Steve Stewart, Chris Wilson, Cheryl & Kate Hornyan, Mark Richwine and Linda Spears.

FANTASY OF LIGHTS: PARADE TIME! Folks, we’ve got a great parade to put on the street: All volunteers on board. “Kiwanis Club of Tempe Presents the Arizona Public Service Fantasy of Lights Parade” on Saturday night, Nov. 24, down Third Street and Mill Avenue and through Centerpoint back to Hayden Square. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will kick off the brilliant light displays in the Mill Avenue District. General chairman Russ Plieseis led a team of Kiwanians to a final planning meeting at the offices of Downtown Tempe Community with DTC staff. Bu 4:30 p.m., all parade marshals and other volunteers should be at the parade assembly area, the parking lot just west of Hayden Square condos at Fifth Street and Ash Avenue. Volunteer parking is in a lot just across the railroad tracks (west of Ash) off Fifth. Marshals will get about three units each to manage on the route. Everyone will get T-shirts. Six drivers for Earnhardt convertibles to transport politicians were needed, and most slots were filled as of Thursdays. Penny Pease and Friends are getting the KCOT float, the Gingerbread House, decorated and into the parade. All folks are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods for a food pantry. More details on the parade at www.millavenue.com. If you cannot help out, come join the crowd.

REACTIVATING TEMPE HIGH KEY CLUB Shawn Ward recently met with faculty and staff at Tempe High School regarding restarting Tempe High Key Club there. Key Club is the high school-level service and leadership development program of the Kiwanis International movement. Over the decades, KCOT has had very active Key Clubs at THS, but it has been strong or inactive depending on it having faculty advisers with time and dedication. Numerous times, there has not been an adviser. The strength of their Club has also depended on KCOT having a regular presence at their meetings to guide them in the K Family way, encourage them and ensure strong activity and great projects. On Thursday, Shawn announced that she has found Grace Torpin, a Tempe High teacher, who is willing to be that adviser, and she has identified strong potential members for Key Club. (Lawn Griffiths worked with Grace for a year or more when Grace worked at Compadre High School in the district’s Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Program, until May, which called on her giving a lot of support and counsel to teen parents. Grace is amazing with teens and works hard to get them to do their best). Shawn said she will be seeking KCOT members willing to attend some of their meetings. If you are interested, contact Shawn. (480) 544-0724.

THANKSGIVING MEAL WILL BE SERVED AT B&G CLUB TUESDAY Linda Spears announced Thursday that most of the details are in place for the annual Tempe Boys and Girls Club Family Thanksgiving Dinner Tuesday night Nov. 20 at the Westside Multigenerational Center, 715 W. Fifth St., Tempe. She said 400 kids and teens and their families will be serve a scrumptious, traditional meal of the holidays in the hall, and volunteers will do it. Sign-ups were completed in recent weeks, so now it is time for workers to carry through with their time and/or the food they have signed up to deliver. Preparation will be 4:30 to 6 p.m.; the meal served 6 to 7:30 p.m.; and clean-up starting at 7 p.m. Linda said she would be calling Kiwanis volunteers to reconfirm what they’ve signed up to do. Tempe Youth Leadership from the Tempe YMCA will help, as well. It is a formal affair, with the kids coming dressed up, and all Kiwanis are asked to wear nice clothes, too (no blue jeans, etc.) Last-minute questions, call Linda (480) 966-6648 or lindaspears1@cox.net. It’s one of our Club’s most uplifting volunteer service projects.

HELP! FANTASY OF LIGHTS PARADE NOV. 24 NEEDS MORE HELP The annual 2007 Arizona Public Service Fantasy of Lights Parade, co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe in cooperation with Downtown Tempe Community, is days away -- 6:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 24 through downtown Tempe, mostly along Mill Avenue. Sharon Kausal announced that there is a need for six licensed drivers, preferably KCOT members, to drive Earnhardt convertibles bearing Tempe City Council members, Mayor Hugh Hallman and Congressman Harry Mitchell. Drivers must be willing, after the parade, to drive the convertible all the way back to Earnhardts in south Tempe. All will be taken back downtown. Also needed are 8 to 10 Kiwanians to eacj be in charge of about four parade entries to help them as they set up at the lot at Ash Avenue and Mill Avenue, get into the procession at the right time and maintain spacing along the route. Volunteers are asked to be at the parade assembly area between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Another meeting of the parade committee will be 2 p.m. next Thursday, Nov. 15, at the DTC office, 310 S. Mill Avenue Ste. A-201. Included will be “parade training,” including walking the route. There will be more finalizing of the parade details. Penny Pease again is leading the decoration of our annual KCOT float in the parade, again the gingerbread house carrying children. Penny will begin decorating it at the assembly area and will welcome volunteers to help her after 4 p.m. Chris Wilson has volunteered to provide a vehicle to tow the hayrake bearing the float. Penny’s number is (480) 839-3095.

KIWANIS VOLUNTEERS PREPARE TO SERVE B&G CLUB THANKSGIVING FEAST No additional information was announced Thursday for KCOT’s annual service project to prepare and serve meals for the Tempe Boys and Girls Club Family Thanksgiving Dinner at the Westside Multigenerational Center, 715 W. Fifth St. Just a reminder to all those who have committed to help to prepare for, serve the meal or to bring food items. About 400 are served annually in the large hall/gym. Preparation will be 4:30 to 6 p.m. and serving 6 to 7:30 p.m. and clean-up (tear-down) 7 to 8:30 p.m. Some food donations are probably still needed (canned corn, green beans, cranberries, mashed potatoes, powdered lemonade and desserts such as pies). If you can help and have not already signed up, call Linda Spears at (480) 966-6648 or e-mail: lindapears1@cox.net.

READ TO EXCEED BEGINS On Thursday, Robert Kizere announced that KCOT volunteers formally began our “Read to Exceed” service project of reading to Head Start children this week . He and Shawn Ward kicked it off, and Steve Stewart read to a group. Head Starts at three sites in Tempe are being visited for what takes about a half-hour onsite each month, reading to 10 to 20 children and giving them the books to take home. Robert said it was a real joy and buzz to watch how receptive the kids were. Thanks to Ralph Packer for volunteering to team with Lawn Griffiths to complete another team for their monthly reading. The Club has purchased batches of books and gives them to the children after a portion of the book is read to them. They are instructed to take the bookd home and have family members join with them in finishing the stories and adding each book to their home libraries. Contact Robert if you can be a reader. Robert@RobertVaughnDesignscom; (480) 221-0954 Phone; 480-839-4630 Fax.

SUPER BOWL VOLUNTEERS Carol Balk announced a couple weeks ago that the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, based in the East Valley for which her son plays, has been offered a significant fund-raiser of selling football programs before and during the Super Bowl game in Glendale on Feb. 3. Volunteers will get to see part of the game. It essentially means a commitment for most of the day. If you are interested in helping out, call Carol (602) 463-7021.

KIWANIS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FANTASY OF LIGHTS PARADE SLATED FOR SATURDAY NOV. 24 The 2007Arizona Public Service Fantasy of Lights Parade, an event that was founded by Linda Spears as a Kiwanis Club of Tempe project with the city in 1995, is taking shape. It will commence at 6:30 p.m. sharp on Saturday, Nov. 24. KCOT and Mill Avenue District held another planning meeting on Thursday afternoon at the DTC office. There is a need for many more Kiwanians to help make it happen. While there are strong parade entries, more are welcomed. Congressman Harry Mitchell, Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Mayor Hugh Hallman and council members will participate. The staging area will be at Ash Avenue and Third Street. There is a need for volunteers to manage the staging of a group of entries and their pacing in the parade, as marshals; for canned food collection at five downtown parking lots/garages; driving convertibles for dignitaries; working with the KCOT float; and other assignments. Mike Jennings, Chris Wilson, Sharon Kausal, Curt Ritland, Corey Woods, Lawn Griffiths and Chung-Kai “CK” were part of the committee who met with DTC staff Thursday to discuss logistics, parade entries and order of appearance. Food pantries, including Tempe Community Action Agency, will get the collected food. Kiwanians and their families/friends coming to the parade are asked to bring canned stews, canned chili with meat; canned meats, canned tuna, peanut butter, juice boxes, dry cereals, canned/dry milk, granola, snack bars, canned fruits, canned soups, canned vegetables, crackers, canned spaghetti, ramen noodles, fruit snacks, leathers, baby food, canned pork and beans, canned beans with meat and jelly/ham. Volunteers will get free T-shirts. Signs ups for shirts started Thursday or e-mail your size to Russ Plieseis at russplieseis@cox.net. Penny Pease is in charge of KCOT’s parade float entry again. She would welcome help.

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL PROJECT IN THE BOO!-KS Corey Woods, who chaired and coordinated the KCOT Halloween project as part for the City of Tempe’s 30th annual Halloween Carnival at Kiwanis Park, spoke Thursday and thanked all KCOT and Circle K Club members who turned out on Halloween on Wednesday. The club had four booths again, three for children’s games and one for popcorn. Corey urged the Club, and its board, to seriously consider the purchase of its own popcorn machine -- either one comparable the machine used in recently year and loaned to the club by the Tempe Family YMCA, so that the two could be worked together -- one a larger capacity popping machine. Corey noted that the single popper has never been able to produce popped corn fast enough to keep up with the line of people wanting to buy it. Some would-be customers simple walk off eventually. Those who volunteered on Wednesday night were asked to stand and be recognized. We will run the list of participants if one is provided. Games were a basketball shoot, football toss through target holes and a Velcro ball target game. Hundreds of prizes were given to kids in every imaginable costume. Corey was applauded for his third and final year of organizing and coordinating the Club’s part of the carnival. A new chairman is being sought for Halloween 2008. If you are interested, contact President Mark Richwine.

TEMPE’S BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FAMILIES GET THANKSGIVING FEAST Linda Spears on Thursday announced that once again Kiwanis Club of Tempe will be front and center for the annual Tempe Boys and Girls Family Thanksgiving Dinner. For many years, many of members have provided some of the food and volunteers for the kitchen and dining room to prepare and serve the meal to children, teens and their family members when they come to the B&G Club Ladmo Branch at the West Side Multigenerational Center, 715 W. Fifth St. This year’s will be served 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20. Kiwanians were asked to take shifts of preparation (4:30 to 6 p.m.), serving (6 to 7:30 p.m.) or clean-up (7 to 8:30 p.m.) On Thursday, there were 10 sign-ups for preparation, 15 for serving and one Kiwanian plus about 20 from YMCA/ Temp Youth Leadership for clean-up. More help is needed in serving and clean-up. Food donations sought are canned corn, green beans , cranberries, mashed potatoes, powdered lemonade and desserts such as pies. The sign-ups will continue. Or you can call Linda to get on the list, (480) 966-6648. It’s one of our Club’s most uplifting volunteer service projects.

READ TO SUCCEED” PROJECT IS LAUNCHED Robert Kizere and Shawn Ward gave a demonstration for Kiwanians on Thursday on what will be expected of members who sign up to be readers at three Tempe sites for preschool children in Headstart.

They read part of a storybook “Fun Dog Sun Dog” and pointed out that teams take stacks of the same book to the class and give every child book. Volunteers will read only part of the book aloud to the children with instructions to children to take their copies home and enlist their parents to read the whole book or the rest of the book to them, but families are integral to reading-to-kid programs.

Robert announced that Club volunteers will begin reading the first week of November, and teams of two are being recruited to go to the sites. At least 10 KCOT members have volunteered but more are still needed. Volunteers would spend no more than a half hour at schools and probably individually read only once a month.

Here is the initial schedule: Monday, Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. at West Side Multigenerational; 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 at Curry Elementary School; and 9:15 a.m. Wednesday Nov. 7 at North Tempe Multigenerational.

“It is an exciting chance to interact with the children,” Robert said. “There are also behind the scenes activities that can be done on your time schedule. Be thinking of how and when you would like to participate in this exciting new adventure. Read To Exceed is off and running!” Members are encouraged to pick another Kiwanian and form a team.

VOLUNTEERS LINE UP FOR HALLOWEEN Corey Woods, who again is coordinating KCOT’s booths for the City of Tempe’s 30th Annual Family Halloween Carnival at Kiwanis Park the night of Oct. 31st, announced Thursday that his Internet signup of volunteers went well and he has enough help for the event 5:30 to 9 p.m. (shifts 5-7 and 7-9). Chung-Kai “CK” Liu has recruited 4-5 ASU Circle K volunteers to help, as well. Corey said getting the health permit remains the most daunting task, as usual. Everyone is asked to be on time and have fun making it a great night for Tempe kids who come to play simple games at our booths. Any questions, call Corey (480) 748-3940.

KCOT DAY AT ASU BASKETBALL GAME Shawn Ward announced Thursday that she was circulating a sign-up to elicit interest in KCOT members going, for a second year, together to an ASU men’s basketball this winter. No specific game has been targeted. If you did not sign up but are interested, call Shawn at (480) 544-0724.

BIDS FOR KIDS Vic Cordts, manager of the Tempe Boys and Girls Club, circulated a flyer for the 30th annual “Bids for Kids” at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley. A maximum of 2,000 raffle tickets will be sold for the chance to win a stunning 1957 (50-year-old) Chevy Belaire, donated by Jerry Brock, with just 39 restored miles! Tickets are $50. For raffle information, call (480) 345-2582 or www.clubzona.com.

2008 SUPER BOWL VOLUNTEERS Carol Balk announced Thursday that East Valley-based Academy Drum and Bugle Corps, where she volunteers and where her sons have been involved, needs to find 450 volunteers by Nov. 1 to sell programs at the Super Bowl XLI in Glendale on Feb. 3. It has potential for some big bucks for the Corps. Some volunteers will get in to see the game in the second quarter. If interested in helping, contact Carol, (602) 463-7021.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR NEW KCOT “READ TO EXCEED” HEAD START PROJECT KCOT will genuinely live out Kiwanis International’s theme and purpose, “Serving the Children of the World,” starting this fall, when members take on a compelling and uncomplicated service project: reading to children enrolled in Head Start programs at three Tempe sites. These are young, at-risk children, ages 3-5, coming for typically low-income families who benefit greatly by educational enrichment on the threshold of school. Robert Kizere has agreed to chair the project, which has been named “Read to Exceed.” So far about 10 KCOT members have expressed interest in reading to young children, probably no more than 30 minutes at a time about once a month, perhaps more often.

Debbie Wiseman from Head Start spoke to about 10 members after Thursday’s regular meeting, explaining Head Start’s history and dynamics and what would be expected from Kiwanis volunteers. About 1,600 children are enrolled in Head Start centers outside of Phoenix, with the most in Mesa. Tempe’s three locations where the Club wants to read are Curry Elementary School just north of Shalimar; Westside Multi-Generational Center (on West Fifth and home of Tempe Boys and Girls Club); and the new North Tempe Multi-Generational Center (near Laird School).

Children attend centers for half-days (about 17 at a time): 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. Arrangements can be made to do the 30 minutes of reading in the middle hours, typically 9 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Last spring, through the leadership of Carol Balk, planning got under way for the program and contact was made with Debbie. Robert Kizere, Penny Pease and Darlene Pany went to a Scholastic Books sale and obtained six boxes of children’s books, which will provide the seeds for the project. Children at the sites are 50 percent or more Hispanic, and some books will be read in Spanish. It was suggested that readers go in teams -- maybe doing one book together at a time or breaking up and reading to classes divided in half.

It was emphasized that this is directed to the whole family in that books will go home with students and parents are asked to read those books with their offspring and stimulated reading and learning.

Seventy-five percent of Head Start funding comes from the feds, although the Bush Administration had sharply cut back on funding and it hasn’t approved re-authorization funding since 2002, just a year-to-year allowances. The remaining quarter must be gotten in donations and in-kind services, such as volunteers’ time. Kiwanians will be asked to log their time and assign a “per-hour professional value” of that donated time.

We want to recruit those KCOT members able to give as little as 30 minutes a month to read simple books, but with animation and interaction with children. Robert Kizere is seeking volunteers. A full rundown of the program will be made at an uncoming meeting and maybe even a demonstration of how it can be made more lively and valuable to kids. To volunteer or for more information, call Robert at (480) 221-0954 or email: robert@RobertVaughnDesigns.com

HALLOWEEN BOOTH VOLUNTEERS MAY SIGN UP TO HELP VIA INTERNET Corey Woods, Club Vice President, who conducted Thursday’s club meeting for the first time, in the absence of President Mark Richwine, announced that the past week he sent an e-mail to all KCOT members who are on the club Yahoo Group inviting them to volunteer for the KCOT Halloween project as part of the City of Tempe’s 30th annual Family Halloween Carnival 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Kiwanis Park, 6005 S. All-America Way. KCOT will have its four game booths where children, mostly in costumes, come to play game for a 25-cent ticket. This is a community service project. Volunteers can work 5 to 7 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m., with help for set-up and tear-down appreciated. Corey needs at least 20 volunteers, who may sign up on line or by phone to (480) 748-3940.

READING-TO-CHILDREN PROJECT TO BEGIN SOON All Kiwanians interested in taking part in a project of reading regularly to children in a Tempe Head Start program are urged to be on hand at a short information meeting at 1:15 p.m. Thursday Oct. 18 at Shalimar. It will take place immediately after the regular KCOT meeting. The coordinator of the Head Start program will attend to lay out expectations and discuss schedules. Volunteers will be give some flexibility on when they will read. For more information, call Carol Balk, (602) 463-7021.

HALLOWEEN BOOTH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Corey Woods, who is coordinating the Kiwanis Halloween Carnival booths again this year on Wednesday, Oct. 31, announced Thursday that he needs 20 volunteers and will be sending out an e-mail to Kiwanians and asking them to respond back to sign up. Look for the e-mail. There will be two shifts operating simple game booths where youngster win prizes, and there will be sit-up and tear-down duty. Total hours are roughly 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The carnival itself is 5:30 to 9 p.m.

BIDS FOR KIDS The 30th Annual Bids for Kids Auction and Dinner to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley will be 5:30 p.m. Saturday Nov. 3 at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa, 5594 W. Wildhorse Pass Blvd, Chandler. Up to 2,000 $50 tickets are being sold for a chance to win a 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2-door hardtop. (Five tickets for $200.) For tickets and more information, call (480) 345-2582 or www.clubzona.org. Proceeds from the auction and dinner go toward the operations of a club that serves 14,700 kids.

KNOW A STUDENT AT NAU? The process is under way to start a new Circle K Club on the campus of Northern Arizona University. Roger Muhlenkamp, president of the Malpais, Flagstaff Kiwanis Club, is asking all clubs in the Southwest District to make their members aware of the CKI club formation. If any member has a son or daughter at NAU or knows of a student at NAU who would be interested in joining the Circle K Club, that student should contact Michelle Tammy Wong via e-mail at mtw38@NAU.edu. Roger says Michelle has been doing a “bang-up job of getting everything organized for the club.” They are recruiting members before submitting the petition for charter because of the fee structure. As you know, Circle K is a Kiwanis-affiliated service club for college students. “Our experience with the student members of the ASU Circle K Club has been very positive indeed,” said KCOT secretary Carol Balk. “They are "good kids."

FANTASY OF LIGHT PARADE MEETING - SEPT. 27 The next meeting of the Fantasy of Lights Committee will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at the DTC Office, 310 S. Mill Avenue Ste. A-201, in downtown Tempe. Russ Plieseis is coordinating. The parade will be Saturday Nov. 24. Russ said the goal is to get at least 55 units in the parade, founded in the mid-1990s by KCOT.

KIWANIS NUEVO TO HOLD 2ND GOLF TOURNAMENT SEPT. 22 The Second Annual Kiwanis Nuevo Charity Golf Tourney will be Saturday Sept. 22 at Ahwatukee Foothills Golf Club, 2201 E. Clubhouse Drive, Phoenix. It will begin with registration at 6:30 a.m. A scramble shotgun tee-off will begin at 7:30 a.m. It will wind up by 2 p.m. A maximum of 144 slots. Fees are $100 per golfer. It includes a golf course, two free drink tickets and lunch. Four golfers and a hole sponsorships are $475. It will include a sign with company name, phone number and Web address. Payment is required by Sept. 7 and must be in advance. Twenty-five tickets will be sold for $20 each for a chance to win a new set of Ping G5 irons. The first 40 entrants get two raffle tickets. There will be $5,000 in prizes: one long drive hole, one straight drive hole, 4 Hole in One, one closest to the pin, and green in two shots on par 5 hole. Mulligans are five for $20. To register, call William M. O’Connor Jr.(480) 839-5413 or billoconor@msn.com. Richard Flickinger from Tempe Nuevo was on hand Thursday at KCOT to tout the golf tournament.

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Corey Woods announced that for yet another year, he will be chairman of KCOT’s game booths for the City of Tempe Halloween Carnival at Kiwanis Park. He needs another team of volunteers to help out the night of Wednesday, Oct. 31. Typically it takes 25 to 30 people, working in two shifts, approximately 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (primarily set-up and first games) and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (main games and tear-down). ASU Circle K members have often helped out. Sign-up for volunteers begins next week.

MAKE A WISH - DERBY DUCK RACE - Sept. 15 Members of the Club on Thursday received forms for this year’s Make A Wish Foundation “Derby Duck Race” at 10 a.m. at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. They could be used by members to buy their own ducks or to take to others to win amazing prizes and to benefit the Phoenix-based national organization that fulfill dreams for children with life-threatening diseases or conditions. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona is carrying it out in partnership with Kiwanis International. No more than 20,000 rubber ducks will be set afloat. Derby Ducks can be bought for $5 each, or six for $25 (Quack Attack) or 25 for $100 (Lucky Flock). Each duck will be numbered and each “parent” will receive a corresponding adoption number. The more ducks you adopt, the greater your chances of winning! For a list of prizes and to adopt your Derby Duck check out our event Web site at http://www.duckraceaz.kintera.org First prize: 4 round-trip tickets on U.S. Airways to U.S, Alaska or Hawaii; Second: 2 roundtrip on Alaska Airways; third: week stay for six at a condo in San Carlos, Mexico; fourth: raft-ride on Colorado River for four; fifth: year of free ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery. Others include $25 certificate to Mountainside Office Bar and Grill; $25 certificate to Don and Charlie’s; Shamrock Farms Ice Cream; Rawhide passes; 5 kids passes to Wildlife World Zoo; Hilton Hotel stay; passes to Phoenix Zoo; 4-night stay at Inn Suites Hotel diaper bag; $50 gift certificate to Bashas, and a heck of a lot more. Our Club received $1.25 for each duck sold to and by our Club members. (Forms must be passed through our treasurer for authorization and our club benefitting). Ducks may be sold for cash, check or credit card. You may be on hand at the park to cheer your duck to victory. Buy ducks!!! It’s a project that is all quacked to up what it was meant to be.

FANTASY OF LIGHT PARADE MEETING - SEPT. 16 At the Avenue District office off of Mill and 3rd street on Thursday Aug. 16th at 2 P.M. directly following our regular Kiwanis meeting. Please respond as to your interest and further details will follow. We are putting together a meeting for the upcoming Fantasy of Lights Parade and the first of a number of planning meetings with the help of the Mill Avenue District (formerly know of Downtown Tempe Community or DTC). Many of you have helped as either parade directors or taken some other active role in the past. I hope that each of you will pledge your support to be apart of this upcoming event which does such an excellent job of building community spirit. The first scheduled meeting for the parade and to garner interest will be held at the Mill

SPECIAL THANKS My sincerest appreciation for all those Kiwanians, their family and friends, who once again showed up in force to accompany many of our Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley Tempe Club members for the Mervyn‘s Childspree.! I was very concerned that we would have many volunteers having to shop with two kids, but we actually had enough volunteers present that only a handful had to double up. It makes me very proud to work in our Tempe community that has so many individuals who answer the call in time of need. Granted the event is a very enriching event. It still is a great testament to how there are wonderful members in this community. Thank you. We had 98 Boys & Girls Club members attend. And there were 99 total volunteers. My count from photos and memory yielded 21 Kiwanis members. I will confirm that when I get my check in sheet. I cannot specifically identify family members because of the expedited check-in process we used did not account for who family members were. But I am noting it here from memory in this initial list of Kiwanis members who attended: Judy Aldrich, Jamie Bogash, Mike and LindaCryer and, I think, another guest; Kerry Fetherston; Lance Gray; Sharon Kausal; Robert Kizere and a guest; Ralph Lingerfelt; Michael and Dee McCaffrey; Vinny Mirizio and his family; Mark Mitchell; Ralph Packer; Penny Pease; Mark Richwine; Diane Schans; Joe and Lisa Schmoker and neighbor Dr. Rajav Parikh & daughter; Kathy Stevens; Steve Stewart; Nora Trevino and her daughter Maddison; Corey Woods; and Shawn Ward. - Vic Cordts

10 WORK AT MALL ‘4 STUDENTS’: Ten volunteers showed up at Arizona Mills Mall on Wednesday (July 25) for the Kiwanis Club of Tempe Day for the “Supplies 4 Students” project sponsored by Community in Schools. Participants were Judy Aldrich, Mike Cryer, Robert Kizere, CK Liu, Sharon Kausal, Kathy Stevens, Shana Ellis, Cheryl Hornyan, Linda Spears and Joe Schmoker. They combined for 18 service hours at no cost to the Club. They were responsible for assisting shoppers interested in busy clothing and needs of students headed back to school. Shoppers took tags from the bus, bought the items and returned them to the table. Thanks to Linda Spears for organizing it again.

RALPH LINGERFELT SCHOLARSHIP: When Ralph Lingerfelt was back in his hometown of Elizabethtown, Tenn., in the far eastern end of the state recently, he presented this year‘s $1,000 Ralph Lingerfelt Band Award to Sharon Smythe, a 2007 graduate of Elizabethtown High School and the “Outstanding Band Student.” She is a talented French horn player. The annual award is endowed by Ralph, drawing from some high-earning John Deere Co. stock.