Ron Steele Reports on the Gift of Giving

 IT HAPPENED!!

The Gift of Giving was a huge success.   75 kids had the opportunity to purchase gifts at Blain's Farm and Fleet for people in their families and we had a chance to make it a reality.   The details of this were included in the last posting, but the Real Ron Steele visited Blain's when we were there and aired his experience on December 12.   

Here it is.  Most of the interviews were with the UNI athletes who worked with the kids but we are interviewed around 2:30 on the report.

Click here to watch the 4-minute interview.

BIG Thank You to Our Sponsors!!

BIG THANK YOU to our CEDAR VALLEY SPONSORS!!!

Every year, our club sells thousands of bags of kettle corn to raise funds to support our Cedar Valley Youth.  Thank you for purchasing and enjoying our Kiwanis Kettle Corn.

We also receive GENEROUS support from 28 Cedar Valley sponsors.  These gracious sponsors help fund our ongoing work in the Cedar Valley to support our youth.  

We are Improving the World - One Child and One Community at a time. (Kiwanis Mission)

This is an ad that is running in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier on Sundays, 12/8 and 12/15:

Please contact us if you are interested in helping our Cedar Valley Youth.

Kiwanis and Jaycees give The Gift of Giving

The Gift of Giving is an event where children are given the opportunity (and funds) to buy Christmas gifts for people in their family. It is a time of opportunity and receiving the joy of experiencing it.

The Cedar Valley Jaycees began this event in 2010 when they asked us to join with them in making this event a reality.  We are looking forward to Saturday, December 7, when our club, Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers, will meet with 100 kids to go shopping.

We begin by meeting at the UAW in Waterloo at 6:00 AM.  The kids have created shopping lists to use while they are buying gifts for their families.  We pair up with kids and then join them as we board buses to journey over to the Blain’s Farm and Fleet store in Cedar Falls. When we arrive at Blain’s, we are greeted by Santa Claus and begin our shopping spree. 

The kids are each given a shopping credit of about $40 (I think) and they roll carts around the store along with their partner as they find gifts for their family.  After they check out, we get back on the bus and return to our Gift of Giving celebration at the UAW in Waterloo. 

When we disembark from the bus, our Kiwanis gourmet chefs have prepared a scrumptious breakfast of waffles, sausage, orange juice, and some other treats.  After we finish our breakfast, we gift wrap the presents they purchased.  It is a great time to connect and have a lot of fun.

Their parents pick them up around 9:00.  As each of the children leaves, they receive a gift for themselves.  A great time is had by all. 

Recently, Ron Steele of KWWL interviewed the president of the Jaycees, Abby Webb; Nikki Werning, Family Support Worker in Waterloo Schools, and our president, Leigh Zeitz, about the Gift of Giving event.

Here is a link to the interview video.

If you have problems watching the video, try watching it using the KWWL app on your phone. 

Here is a link to his informative article about the Gift of Giving.

Want to sign up for the Gift of Giving as a young participant or as an adult?

Visit the Cedar Valley Jaycees Gift of Giving webpage. 

Dr. Marv Heller Recognized as a 2024 "8 Over 80" Winner.

Dr. Marvin Heller, a founding member of Kiwanis Rough Risers, is being honored with the Cedar Valley 2024 8-over-80 award for his exceptional community service.  A celebratory luncheon will be held on July 18 (see details below.)

This award acknowledges those who have made a difference and set examples in their careers and lives. They are recognizing those who are still contributing to our community's well-being both now and in the past. 

As one of the founding members of the Cedar Valley Kiwanis Rough Risers in 1981, Dr. Heller has demonstrated his commitment to service through his leadership within our club. He has played a pivotal role in coordinating numerous construction projects that have significantly enhanced our community. From the construction of eight shelters at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex to the impressive 40-foot shelter at the back of the YMCA, Dr.Heller's vision and tireless efforts have left a lasting legacy that will benefit generations to come.

Dr.Heller's impact extends beyond the realm of community service and into the field of education. As a professor of elementary education at the University of Northern Iowa, he has greatly influenced the lives of hundreds of future teachers. His passion for education and unwavering dedication to his students has helped shape the minds and hearts of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the future of education in our community and beyond.

Thank you, Marv.

Join us at the recognition ceremony and luncheon taking place at 11:30 a.m. July 18 at the Diamond Event Center, 5307 Caraway Lane, in Cedar Falls.

Make a reservation for the event at $30 per per person - register at this site.

Courier's article about Marv.

It's been a GREAT YEAR!

 On Tuesday night, May 7, our club held a  Social Get Together at the Cedar Falls Public Safety Center.  About 40 members and +1s shared a wonderful meal catered by the wonderful Moment in Thyme people. It was an informal get-together with president Leigh Zeitz sharing experiences and telling stories about the Rough Risers' past year.

Click Here to see his slide show:

Rough Risers Help Schools - Featured in Nebraske-Iowa Monthly

 

Article featured in the Kiwanis Nebraska-Iowa monthly newsletter!

Cedar Falls Rough Risers Help Local Schools with Kettle Corn

It is popping season here in Cedar Falls and the Kiwanis Rough Risers are busy at work! The Cedar Falls Rough Risers have already popped over 400 bags of kettle corn for three local elementary and middle schools. The schools will sell the delicious bags of kettle corn at their local spring fundraising events. Each school gets 100 bags to sell. Sold at $7 a bag that is $700 of profit for each school!

Stay tuned for more popping as the club continues to help 5 more schools this spring! That will be almost 1,000 bags of kettle corn!

Ben Miller Speaks from the Grout Museum

 Ben Miller, Director of Education for the Grout Museum, shared the museums and facilities they share with the public in the Cedar Valley. They have an enlightening series of camps and programs for the children throughout the year. Thanks for speaking Ben! https://www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/