Kiwanis Club has Busy December

After a successful 30th Anniversary Celebration in November, Kiwanis Club of Marco Island embarked on a very active December. They started off the month by volunteering at the inaugural Jimmy Buffet Tribute Concert on December 1st held at Rose Marina. On December 9th, several members gathered to finish shopping for toys to be distributed to Manatee Elementary School, the signature event of the year. Finally the big day came on December 11th when Kiwanis members joined Santa & Mrs. Claus at the school to greet around 600 students and their teachers. Each child enjoyed the opportunity to speak with Santa and receive a gift from him. The many fundraising events all year coupled with several generous donations from individuals, made these children's days a little brighter. 

On December 14th, TERRIFIC Kids from the fourth grade at Tommie Barfield Elementary School were welcomed and honored. Principal Alyssa Ledbetter, Police Chief Tracey Frazzano, and Sgt. Mark Haunter, as well as the families of the TERRIFIC Kids were in attendance. TERRIFIC Kids is an ongoing program sponsored by Kiwanis where children are selected by their teachers for exhibiting special traits-Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive, and Capable. The first winner was Marisa Munera, who likes to play volleyball, practice piano, swim on the swim team, and do karate. If she could have any superpower, she would like to be able to communicate with animals and understand them. She would like to go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower and taste their macaroons. When Marisa grows up, she would like to be a teacher, dance teacher, gymnast, dancer, or interior designer. The second winner was Leah Rice who likes to play sports and sing and dance after school. Her superpower of choice is the ability to move things with her mind. Leah also would love to visit Paris because it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. She wants to be a detective in the police department when she grows up. The third winner was Emily Kerens. Emily likes to swim, read, and play with her brothers. For her superpower, she is between mind reading and invisibility. Emily would like to visit Asia with her family. The fourth winner, Gabriel Hernandez, was unable to attend, but he  did let us know that he loves to play soccer after school and would like the superpower of creation and destruction. Gabriel would like to visit Hawaii and he wants to be a professional soccer player when he grows up. 

December was finished with the annual Christmas meeting on the 21st where 15 Kiwanians and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner and then did a Yankee Swap of Christmas gifts. 

Kiwanis Club of Marco Island was founded in 1993 and is a part of Kiwanis International. The mission is to improve the world, one child and one community at a time. They work with both Manatee Elementary and Tommie Barfield Elementary schools through TERRIFIC Kids and other programs, the Marco Island Charter Middle School with Builders Club and with Marco Island Academy with the Key Club. They provide scholarships yearly to deserving students. All the fundraising events go to the kids and these programs. There are three big events coming in the new year. On Friday, January 19th, it’s the annual Texas Hold'Em Tournament at Marco Lutheran Church beginning at 5:00 PM. Reserve your spot now at marcokiwanis.com. On Saturday, February 24th, it’s the annual Kiwanis Car Show at Veterans Park beginning at 10:00 AM. In addition to the beautiful cars, you can enjoy food, drinks, music, shopping, and face painting for the kids. On Saturday, March 2nd, the annual Kiwanis 5K Run/Walk starts at Hideaway Beach. 

If you would like to join this fun and hardworking club, contact Secretary Cindy Crane at lucindaed@aol.com for an application.