Important Dates for Kiwanis:
Future Programs:
June: 4 Business Meeting, 11 Inspiration, 18 Impact, 25 Image
July: 2 Business Meeting, 9 Investment, 16 Inspiration, 24 Impact, 30 I-Team Meet
August: 6 Business Meeting, 13 Image, 20 Investment, 27 Inspiration
Jun 1: Kid Fish, Lake Fork District Office
Jun 22: KI-RO Golf Tournament
Jun 27-30: Kiwanis International Convention, Walt Disney World Resort, Fl
Aug 1-3: T-O District Convention, Denton
Sep 28,29: Iron Horse Festival, Downtown Mineola
Oct 31: Trunk or Treat, Downtown Mineola
Nov 2: Pedals for Paws, Mineola Nature Preserve
Nov 11: Veteran’s Day
Dec 7: Mineola Christmas Parade
*Primary School Lunch Assistance Program 10:30 to 11:30
Follow us on Facebook at “Mineola Kiwanis”!
Have someone that wants to be a member?
Contact Pam Thurman at 903-569-9766 or
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info
ANNUAL MEETING APPROVES DIRECTOR AND OFFICER SLATE FOR 2019-2020
With unanimous concent, the Mineola Kiwanis Membership approved the following Director and Officer Slate for the coming year:
President - Kevin White
President Elect - Roy Shockey
Past President - Pam Thurman
Secretary - Joyce Curry
Treasurer - Sam Curry
Directors:
2018-2020: Becky Moore and Beth Shockey
2019-2021: Kim Tunnell and Misty Hooks
2020-2022: John Epps and David Huston
These Directors and Officers take their positions with the beginning of the new business year on October 1st.
WHAT A MONTH: Special Kids Farm and Ranch Day + Terrific Kids Awards + July 4th Fireworks Fundraising Kickoff
The beautiful day we had on April 26th was perfect for hosting about 350 Special Needs Kids at our booth where they could demonstrate their roping skills. In addition, Kiwanis cooked up and served about 1000 hot dogs that took care of the hungry kids and volunteers that attended the day's events.
On May 14th, Terrific Team Leader Kaye Morris and our Kiwanis group of volunteers recognized 215 Terrific Kids! at Mineola Primary School. In addition to presenting award certificates, each was "pinned" with a Terrific Kids! sticker. This program represents the first step of the KIWANIS Student Leadership Program series that instills the virtues, values and initiative for developing future community leaders. Second Grade Terrific Kids! will get the opportunity to participate in Elementary School as K-Kids. We greatly appreciate the work of our Sponsors, such as Kaye Morris, and all of our members that participate in the SLP initiatives. In addition to Kaye, President Pam Thurman was assisted by Helen Haneline, Sam and Joyce Curry, Kevin White, Janae Holland, and Pam Palmer who served up cookies and punch for the children.
In addition, May 14th allowed Kiwanis to "kick off" the City of Mineola fundraising for the Fourth of July Fireworks Event. Here, Mayor (and Kiwanian) Kevin White presents Cindy Kartch and David Madsen with a $500.00 check to get things started. This is a popular event for families from around the area.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!
The April 16th meeting was a busy one with a number of guests including Mineola High School Principal David Sauer with Seniors from the Class of 2019 who discussed the upcoming Senior Service Day on May 20th from 9am to Noon. Members of the Senior Class will be available to provide assistance to groups or individuals that can use their energy and enthusiasm for almost any type of task. If tools or equipment are needed, these must be provided for the students. To get on the list for this community service opportunity, call Mineola High School to get on the schedule. Also, we were pleased to have Ron Wilson, Bonnie McAree, and Tori Pogue along with Brandon and Daniel who discussed the Special Kids Farm and Ranch Day on April 26th. This annual event will host more than 350 special needs children and over 400 volunteers. Mineola Kiwanis will serve hot dogs (more than 1000!) and staff a booth with games for the kids. In addition, Mineola Kiwanis will be presenting the Special Kids Farm and Ranch organization with a $500.00 donation. 
CITIZEN OF THE MONTH AND A MESSAGE FROM SHERIFF TOM CASTLOO HIGHLIGHT THE APRIL 9TH MEETING
We were pleased to honor Mr. Don Clemons, Chairman of the Board for Kindness Kottage, as our Citizen of the Month for April. Don has been a Director for Kindness Kottage for six years and has been instrumental in continuing the growth and expansion of service by Kindness Kottage for our Mineola Area Community. Kindness Kottage serves more than 325 needy people per month. In addition, we welcomed Wood County Sheriff Tom Castloo, former Border Patrol Agent in the Del Rio Sector, who gave a very timely and interesting discussion on the challenges at the Border and the impact on our own community as well as the country at large.
WELCOME AND RECOGNITION FOR THE JANUARY 22ND MEETING
The meeting of January 22nd highlighted the January Citizen of the Month, Dr. Mark Race of Grace Healthcare Ministries. Dr. Race has been with Grace since 2007 and licenses the charitable work that Grace Healthcare Ministries does for our community and surrounding area. Dr. Grace was introduced by Pam Palmer and Dr. Loy Frazier, both volunteers at Grace. Last year, over 5000 volunteer hours were logged at Grace, 900 of which were professional volunteer hours. In addition to this privilege for Kiwanis, we were introduced to Jerry Brooks who takes over for Pam Palmer as the Administrator for Grace Healthcare ministries. After briefing us on his background, President Pam Thurman presented Jerry with a Kiwanis donation of $500.00.
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON END THE YEAR FOR MINEOLA KIWANIS
Our meeting of December 11th was graced with the talents and extraordinary sound of the Mineola High School Jazz Ensemble. Playing a sample of their playlist for the holiday, these fine young people set the tone for the holidays. We are truly blessed to have their talent in our community as well as their teachers and band instructors that help them reach their full potential. What a day!
PROJECT ELIMINATE GOALS NEARING
Joyce Curry and Pam Palmer updated members at the November 13th meeting on progress toward the Mineola Kiwanis Goal for Project ELIMINATE. Project ELIMINATE has the goal of eliminating Neo Natal Tetanus around the world. With only a short way to go, Mineola Kiwanis is within striking distance of meeting our commitment for this important project that has proven to save the lives of women and children worldwide.
DIVISION 34 COUNCIL MEETING SHINES WITH MINEOLA KIWANIANS
The DCM meeting of November 8th was highlighted with presiding Lt. Gov. Johnny Johnson leading a superb meeting of division leaders including our own President Pam Palmer who updated the DCM attendees on activities for Mineola Kiwanis Club. We had a great turnout of Mineola representatives!
LT. GOV. JOHNNY JOHNSON (MINEOLA) INSTALLS OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS FOR 2018-2019
Our own Johnny Johnson, Division Lt. Gov. for 2018-2019, installed new Officers and Directors at the Mineola Kiwanis meeting of October 2nd. In addition to recognizing current Directors, Lt. Gov. Johnson installed Roy Shockey and Charles Wilmot as new Directors and charged Jo McCarty, President Elect with her new duties. Sam (Past Gov. for T-O District) and Joyce Curry, mainstays for our Club, were re-installed as Treasurer and Secretary respectively. After taking the podium as 2018-2019 President, Pam Thurman turned the stage over to Past President Pam Palmer and Joyce Curry who presented outgoing President Mary Lookadoo with the prestigious Walter Zeller Award for Project ELIMINATE support over the past year. Richly deserved and many, many thanks to Mary for her outstanding year as Mineola Kiwanis President.
SEPTEMBER CITIZEN OF THE MONTH - DR. JOHN FULLER
Our Citizen of the Month for September was Dr. John Fuller, former Superintendent of Mineola ISD and Chair of the Meredith Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Fuller is a community leader in many areas but has been instrumental in bringing to reality the Mineola Civic Center Splash Pad and the Jack and Peggy Jones Pavillion which has been a terrific asset to kids and parents for recreation and family gatherings. He is highly deserving of the recognition and respect for his tireless work for Mineola.
MINEOLA KIWANIS RECOGNIZES AUGUST CITIZEN OF THE MONTH
Mineola Kiwanis was pleased to honor Joyce Williams as the Citizen of the Month for August. Joyce has been an important contributor for Mineola in a number of ways and particularly as a leader with the Mineola Heritage Board and Landmark Commission. Her energy and enthusiasm bring the Mineola Railroad Museum to reality as a destination for young and old as well as a place for serious students of transportation subjects to learn and do research. Pam Palmer presents Joyce with a certificate of recognition.
BACK TO SCHOOL IMAGES FROM SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH
It was a terrific day for everyone as Mineola Kiwanis provided hundreds of kids with school supplies for the coming year. Assisted by numerous organizations from the Mineola Community, this year's event was a great success. Many thanks to Alicia Martin and the Impact Team that brought it all together at the Mineola Civic Center "Peggy Pavilion"!
DRUG AFFECTED BABY PROGRAM
Trish McKinley, Drug Affected Baby Specialist for the State of Maine was the guest speaker for July 31st. Trish provided an overview of the Drug Affected Baby Program for Maine and shared her perspectives and experiences in working with these children and their parents for CPS. Emphasizing the severity of the growing opioid crisis, Trish commended organizations such as Kiwanis that play such a critical role in supporting efforts to provide children the protection and safety that all children need.
PRESENTATIONS GALORE - Citizen of the Month and Sophomore of the Year Recognized on July 10th
The Mineola Kiwanis Club was proud to make to important presentations at the Regular Meeting of July 10th. Betty Morgan, an active community leader and contributor to her church and other charitable organizations was presented with a certificate as Citizen of the Month for July. President Mary Lookadoo made the presentation to Betty and, in addition, recognized the Mineola Kiwanis Sophomore of the Year, Lovey Wright. Lovey is a Key Club Member, athlete, and scholar. In addition to her certificate, Lovey receives a $250 scholarship for graduation. We're sure there are plenty of awards she has yet to win. She's off to a great start.
TERRIFIC KIDS! PROGRAM AWARDS DAY
Thanks to the hard work of Kaye Morris, Mineola Kiwanis presented 243 Terrific Kids! Awards to deserving Mineola Primary School children who completed the leadership development program in this, the inaugural year. Children must complete the key elements of teamwork and good citizenship under the oversight of their teachers. Kaye Morris, assisted by President Mary Lookadoo, presented each child with an award while Kiwanians, Kevin White, Pam Thurman, Pam Palmer, Gary McKinley and Sam Curry gave out cookies and punch to ALL 243 kids.
MINEOLA KIWANIS GROWS
In two events for the last week in April, Mineola Kiwanis recognized new members in the recently established Alba-Golden Satellite Group and also joined Holly Lake Ranch Kiwanis in honoring 41 new Charter Members in the newly formed Jarvis Christian College CKI Club. In the photo of the Alba-Golden Satellite can be seen front row, left to right, Charles Wilmut, Ron Davis, Hannah Ayers, and Jerry Gaskill, Jr. George Assaf is pledged to become a 5th member of the group but not available for the photo. Back is Mary and Pam. Charles will also become a member of the club board of directors as a communicator between the satellite group and the Mineola Club. In the photo from the "Meet and Greet" held at Jarvis on April 25th, front and left to right – is the charter president from Jarvis, Jussica Sharp, our club advisor Joe McCarty, and the CKI Lt. Governor for the Region, Kim Dinh. In the Back is our President Elect Pam Thurman, President Mary Lookadoo, Lt. Governor Elect from our club, Johnny Johnson, and Sam Curry.
DONATIONS FOR CAUSES THAT WORK! April 24th Meeting Highlights
In a busy meeting, Mineola Kiwanis celebrated the forthcoming Jarvis Christian College CKI Club "Meet and Greet" with co-sponsor Holly Lake Ranch Kiwanis (Bob and Rose Upton) and made annual financial contributions to Grace Healthcare Ministries and the Special Kids Farm and Ranch Day Committee. Below, our own Pam Palmer (Director, Grace Healthcare Ministries), receives a $500 donation from Mineola Kiwanis. President Mary Lookadoo also presented a $500 donation to Ron Wilson, Kim Adair and Bonnie McAree for the Special Kids Farm and Ranch Day held, this year, on April 27th.
MINEOLA JUMP ROPE CONTRIBUTION AND BUG AWARDS HIGHLIGHT
President Mary Lookadoo called on Lieutenant Gov. (prospective) Johnny Johnson to receive a Kiwanis donation for the Mineola Jump Rope Team that Johnny also coaches. These young people work extremely hard and will be competing at the State level for jump roping. In addition, we recognized more than 300 youngsters at Mineola Elementary School for their accomplishments in raising their grades and earning Bringing Up Grades (BUG) awards and certificates for the last grading period. Robin Averett, Becky Moore and Sam Curry represented the club in the presentation ceremony.
