Raytown Three Trails Kiwanis Installs New Officers

On October 9, 2014, the Raytown Three Trails Kiwanis Club held their annual installation of new officers. The new officers Brenda Gustafson, President, Elaine Schulze, Past President, John Benson, Vice President, Mary Lee Skitek, Secretary, Carrie West, Treasurer, at-large board members, Martha Cockerell and Darryl Pitts were installed by our Lt. District Govenor Gary Logan. Many thanks were extended to our outgoing President, Elaine Schulze for her vision and tireless efforts to change the lives of children in our community. “I’m excited for our new year,” said Brenda Guststafson, new club president. “ We have many new ideas for helping the children in our community.”

pictured from left to right. Mary Lee Skitek, Elaine Schulze, John Benson, Darryl Pitts, Brenda Gustafson, Gary Logan

During the installation ceremony, the club reflected on the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis this year. The club has taken to heart the role of servant leaders and our mission; “Focusing on changing the world by serving children, one child and one community at a time.” Kiwanis is home to the largest youth service programs in the world. Our local club empowers school students, elementary through college, by teaching leadership through service to others. This year the club will sponsor three Raytown High School students for student leadership camp as well as sponsoring college scholarships for our High School Seniors.

Raytown Service Projects

Our Youth Programs include:

· Key Club,for high school students, is the oldest and largest service organization for teens, teaches leadership through service to others.

· Builders Club for middle school students, provides students with opportunities to develop leadership, improve self-esteem, increase civic engagement and learn life skills through service.

· Kiwanis Terrific Kids for elementary students provides students the opportunity to develop leadership potential and create strong moral character.

A few of the other local service projects our club sponsors are Pumpkins On Parade, Teen Moms Club,Mothers Day Project (donating items for REAP that are not covered by WIC) Parents As Teachers, Relay for Life, Young Child Priority, Raytown School Foundation, Summer Lunch Program, Boys and Girls Club. Raytown Project Grad (both high schools). Cave Springs Historic Site and Nature Trail and Embracing Education.

We also volunteer and donate to support Kiwanis’ national and international service programs. This year we:

· Helped raise almost $1 million for children’s cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

· Raised over $6000 for the Eliminate Project. This project will make a profound and historic impact on MNT(maternal neonatal tetnus) a disease that kills one baby every nine minutes. We have partnered with UNICEF to help implement immunization activities to eliminate this disease. Globally, Kiwanis has raised over $110 million to make this goal a reality.

We raise funds for these projects through our Annual Golf Tournament and our Annual Trivia Night.

Kiwanis clubs, located in 80 nations, help their communities in countless ways. Each community’s needs are different—so each Kiwanis club is different. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you give a child the chance to learn, experience, dream, grow, succeed and thrive, great things happen. Our vision partners include landscape structures, creating innovative playground equipment; Nickelodeon, inspiring kids to take action and make a difference in the world; the U.S. Army’s Key Leader program, helping high school students to improve performance on standardized tests.

Raytown Three Trails Kiwanis meets twice a month at noon at the UMB Bank on Raytown Road.