Kiwanis Club of Skidaway

06/22/2026

📣 This Week at the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island

Last Thursday, we were honored to welcome Ben Hart, President and General Manager of WJCL, who shared an engaging presentation on the evolving world of local broadcasting. Ben discussed the challenges and opportunities facing today’s media landscape, while emphasizing the importance of trusted local journalism and community engagement. We thank Ben for taking the time to join us and for the thoughtful conversation he inspired.

➡️ Looking Ahead

This Thursday, we are pleased to welcome Savannah Mayor Van Johnson as our guest speaker.

Mayor Johnson will present a “State of the City” update, sharing his perspective on Savannah’s growth, opportunities, and future. As Savannah’s 67th Mayor, he has dedicated decades of service to our community, first as Alderman for the First District and now as the city’s chief elected official since 2020.

In addition to his leadership at City Hall, Mayor Johnson has long been a champion for young people and families through his work with youth development programs, nonprofit organizations, and civic leadership initiatives throughout the region.

We look forward to hearing his insights and learning more about the issues, successes, and opportunities shaping Savannah today.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island and our mission of service? Visit our website using the link in the comments.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

📸 Photo: Mayor Van Johnson

06/18/2026

Another great Thursday morning at the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island!

This week, we were honored to welcome Ben Hart, President and General Manager of WJCL, as our guest speaker.

Ben shared insights on the evolving world of local broadcasting, discussing how television news continues to adapt to streaming platforms, social media, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Throughout his presentation, he emphasized the importance of accuracy, accountability, and trusted local journalism in an increasingly fast-paced information environment.

Members and guests also enjoyed a lively discussion about the future of media, the role of local news in our community, and the challenges and opportunities facing broadcasters today.

Thank you, Ben, for an informative and engaging presentation, and thank you to all of our members and guests for another morning of fellowship, learning, and service.

📸 Special thanks to Michael Klavon & Robert Moreland for capturing this week’s meeting through their photography.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island and our mission? Visit the link in the comments.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

06/15/2026

📣 This Week at the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island

Last Thursday, our members and guests enjoyed a fascinating presentation from Roger Smith, Director of The Learning Center at Senior Citizens, Inc., who shared “Curious Stories of Savannah’s Squares.” Accompanied by Assistant Director Debbie Hornsby, Roger explored the rich history, unique design, and remarkable stories behind Savannah’s iconic squares and monuments.

We extend our sincere thanks to Roger and Debbie for an engaging and informative program, and to all of our members and guests who joined us for another wonderful morning of fellowship, learning, and community.

📸 Special thanks to Michael Klavon for capturing this week’s meeting through his photography.

➡️ Looking Ahead

We are excited to welcome our next guest speaker, Ben Hart, President and General Manager of WJCL.

Ben will present “Past, Present, and Future,” sharing insights from his distinguished career in broadcasting and his leadership within the Savannah community. Since becoming President and General Manager of WJCL in 2020, Ben has continued a career spanning more than two decades with Hearst Television while serving and supporting numerous organizations throughout the Coastal Empire.

We look forward to hearing his perspective and learning more about the future of local media and broadcasting.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island and our mission of service? Visit our website using the link in the comments.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

06/02/2026

Join us this Thursday as the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island welcomes Matthew Emmer, President of the Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges.

Matthew will share insights into the Coastal Refuges System and the important work being done to support and advocate for the seven refuges that make up the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex.

With a background in storytelling, conservation, and public engagement, Matthew brings a unique perspective to the mission of protecting wildlife and preserving the natural habitats that make our coastal region so special.

We look forward to learning more about these remarkable natural resources and the efforts being made to ensure they remain protected for future generations.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island and our mission of service? Visit the link in the comments for additional information.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

05/30/2026

Another inspiring Thursday morning at the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island.

This week's meeting gave our members and guests an opportunity to hear from several of our 2025 grant recipient organizations and learn more about the important work they are doing throughout our community.

We were honored to welcome representatives from Tharros Place, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Shelter From the Rain, Loop It Up Savannah, and Xcel Strategies. Their dedication to serving children, families, and individuals in need is making a meaningful difference across the Coastal Empire.

Meetings like these remind us why our fundraising, volunteer efforts, and community partnerships matter. It is always rewarding to see firsthand how the support of our members helps strengthen organizations that are changing lives every day.

Thank you to our guest speakers, our members, and our visitors for another wonderful morning of fellowship, learning, and service.

Special thanks to Michael Klavon for capturing this week's meeting through his photography.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island and our mission? Please visit the link in the comments.

Together, we continue **Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.**

05/24/2026

Join us this Thursday for a special morning at the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island as we welcome representatives from several of our 2025 grant recipient organizations.

This week’s meeting will feature brief presentations from community partners whose work is directly supported through the fundraising and service efforts of our club. These organizations are making a meaningful difference throughout our region by serving vulnerable children, families, and individuals in need.

Featured organizations include:

• Tharros Place
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace
• Shelter From the Rain
• Loop It Up Savannah
• Xcel Strategies

We invite our members and their guests to attend and hear firsthand how Kiwanis support is helping strengthen our community and change lives across the Coastal Empire.

Meetings like these are a powerful reminder that the work we do together truly matters.

Interested in learning more about our club and our mission? Please visit the link in the comments for additional information.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

05/22/2026

Another meaningful Thursday morning at the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island.

This week, we were pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Toma, Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University, who joined us for a presentation on “The State of the Economy.” We appreciate Dr. Toma sharing his time and perspective with our members and guests.

We were also honored to recognize and support the important work of Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter, whose mission is to provide services to at-risk youth and their families while working toward family reunification whenever possible. Thank you to Adriana Tatum-Howard, Executive Director, along with Marolyn Overton and Emily Trust, for joining us and sharing more about their impactful organization.

In addition, we enjoyed celebrating leadership within Kiwanis as we welcomed outgoing Georgia Kiwanis Division 4 Lt. Governor Cate Gooch Coolidge, incoming Lt. Governor Dale Law, and Marcia Law.

And a special birthday wish goes out to our own Mark Toth, former “Speaker Getter,” who celebrated his birthday this week!

Thank you to all of our members, guests, and visitors who continue making our Thursday gatherings such a wonderful example of fellowship, leadership, and service.

Interested in learning more about our club and our mission? Please visit the link in the comments for additional information.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

05/18/2026

Join us this Thursday as the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island welcomes **Dr. Michael Toma**, Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University, for a presentation on the **State of the Economy.**

Dr. Toma is the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University in Savannah and has spent nearly three decades studying the economy of the Savannah metro region and southeastern Georgia.

His experience in macroeconomics and regional economic trends, combined with his service on Governor Brian Kemp’s Council of Economic Advisers, makes him one of the region’s most respected voices on economic issues impacting our community and state.

We look forward to another engaging Thursday morning of fellowship, learning, and community conversation.

Interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island and our mission? Please visit the link in the comments for additional information.

Together, we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

05/15/2026

Another wonderful Thursday morning with the Kiwanis Club of Skidaway Island.

Thank you to all of our members, guests, and visitors who joined us this week for fellowship, community, and meaningful conversation. The continued support and involvement of our members are what make our club such a special part of the Savannah community.

We are grateful for the opportunity to come together each week in the spirit of service and friendship as we continue Bringing Hope to At-Risk Children of Savannah and the Coastal Empire.

Interested in learning more about our club and what we do? Please visit the link in the comments for additional information.

05/10/2026