Lawrence Kiwanis, Lawrence, Ks.

06/13/2026

Kiwanis fun at the Ballard Center Gala event.

06/12/2026

Marlowe Angel did an impressive job describing the upcoming Free State Festival being held June 22 - 28th. There will be 20 events including several interesting films. Learn more at freestatefestivsl.org.

We had an impressive group at today's meeting: all of our "regulars" plus two new members and one more ready to sign on the dotted line.

Our Open House was a success.

05/29/2026

Liz Long is the director for KDHE Working Healthy. She gave a great talk on how her department helps those with disabilities navigate into the workplace. Here is the link which contains excellent videos and other information describing her department's work.
https://www.kancare.ks.gov/members/benefits-services/working-healthy

Great attendance for our meeting. We will not meet next week, opting for our Family Picnic on June 7th.

Emery Lacle, Kansas District Key club governor was in attendance and will be at the picnic a well.

05/25/2026

05/23/2026

Martha Silks, current president of the League of Women Voters of Lawrence/Douglas County, emphasized that her organization endorses no candidate. They do support/oppose some issues. They are not in favor of electing judges, preferring the current method of a bipartisan group sending three recommendations to the governor to choose one.

Their primary goal is to get folks registered to vote and to help them locate their polling location.

05/15/2026

Meagan Walker presented about KC Angels and the efforts of that organization to make a difference in a child's life. They are seeking volunteers to foster kids in the program or to mentor them when they age out of foster care. They have two programs: LOVE BOX, a monthly care package delivery or activity hangout to build relationships with kids and parents. The second program is DARE TO DREAM to serve at-risk children in foster care and those aging out.

The "Jims" were very entertaining today. We will plan a summer family picnic soon. Stay tuned for updates.

05/09/2026

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!

I am extremely remiss not to have mentioned more about Margann Bennett, one of our newer members - Not only did she lead us in a fun service project after the voting (a continuation of the bookmark project), but she also brought her dad, Richard, a former Kiwanis member from Emporia, into our club as a new member, and she also volunteered to serve on our board for the next two years.

What a great start to her KIWANIS life. Thank You, Margann!

05/09/2026

I fell down on the job and forgot to take photos. :( But we did have an election and here are the results -
President - Anup Singh
President Elect - Major Karen Holness
Secretary - Rusty Thomas
Treasurer - Stephanie Rasys
Board - Al Hack, Tom Lundblad, Kimberley Merrill, Margann Bennett
Continuing - Past President Jim Thomas, Jim Hanni and Amy Finkeldei

All of the above will be installed in October. Congratulations and thank you for being in KIWANIS.

05/01/2026

Shannon VanLandingham explained how she after her daughter Clair, a promising Navy dentist, was murdered by a former boyfriend in 2018, formed the non-profit . This non-profit embodies
Clair 's legacy "by both harnessing the power of collective generosity to improve the quality of life for all and amplifying the work of nonprofit partners through grantmaking, volunteering, and community outreach."

04/29/2026