Rough Risers Make it in the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District News

 

Once again, our reporter, Jim Larson, shared our accomplishments with the NE-IA District and they posted it in their News from aroudn the District newsletter.   Thank you, Jim.

Cedar Falls Rough Risers pop corn, clean up trails

The Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis Club popped one hundred bags of their $7 retail bags of kettle corn for the school's fun fair. The school sells the bags and receives $700. Pictured are some of the Rough Risers in May after the completion of popping kettlecorn for a Cedar Falls Elementary School.

The club donates to 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, and the high school’s “kick off” rally in the Fall - a total of $7,000 raised for the schools. This donation has been going on for 20-plus years. On April 26, club members joined other volunteers in cleaning up 125 miles of trails in the Cedar Valley. The Kiwanis group of six dedicated volunteers (family members included) covered five of those miles and collected three bags of refuse. This is their second year of participating in this very worthwhile project. Submitted by Jim Larson, Cedar Falls Rough Risers Kiwanis Club

Rough Risers Party at Gateway Park

 Our Kiwanis Rough Risers club need to have fun as well as work to make the Cedar Valley a better place for kids.  Headed by Sue Loy and Sara Jansen, the Internal Relations committee hosted a social event last night (6/5) at the Gateway Park in Cedar Falls.

Pulled Pork sandwiches were supplied along with some side dishes and dessert (Pies and Ice Cream).  The rest of the feast was provided by the club members.  The array was stupendous.

This festival also included an opportunity to induct our newest member, Debbie Lee.  She was joined by her sponsor (and husband), Randy Lee.  Our president, Leigh Zeitz, welcomed her into our club and thanked Randy for inviting her to join. Debbie received a Kiwanis pin and the coveted Kiwanis Rough Risers coffee mug as welcome presents. 

The evening ended in Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Bingo. Sue Loy distributed a stack of Bingo cards adorned with a collection of words that were specific to Kiwanis and our club. 
A Great time was had by all!

  

Rough Risers’ Kettle Corn at the 4th Street Cruise: A Poppin' Success!

This past Saturday, May 24th, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers club had an exciting day at the 4th Street Cruise, where we spent over four hours popping up our famous Kettle Corn. The event was a massive hit, and by the end of the day, we’d popped nearly 300 bags—talk about a lot of kernels!

And here’s the best part: we earned an impressive $2,661! The crowd was nonstop, with a line that seemed never-ending. We even got the chance to sell to parade-goers zooming by in their cars! It was a fast-paced, fun-filled day, and we’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by to grab a bag (or two!) of our delicious Kettle Corn.

With all the support, we’re one step closer to making a better community, one kid and one kernel at a time.

Bell Ringers Attend Salvation Army Volunteer Dinner for Celebration

 

Barb Sanders and Leigh Zeitz attended the 2025 Salvation Army Dinner Celebration of Volunteers on Thursday, May 9.  It was an opportunity to meet and other volunteers who have been doing a variety of jobs including picking up and delivering food, serving weekly meals to customers, raising money through bell ringing, and many other ways to support people.

Barb and Leigh were invited because of their bell ringing during Christmas time.  The other Kiwanis members who rang bells last season were Dale and Sara Jansen, Jim Larson, Randy Lee, Bob Dickenson, Leigh Zeitz, Rod Hamer, and others.  

Thank you for all your work.

Kiwanis Rough Risers Clean the Cedar Valley Bike Trails

 Today, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers rolled up their sleeves and hit the trails with a mission: cleaning up our beloved Cedar Valley Bike Trails. This marks our second year of dedicated service to clear 125 miles of trails, making them safer and cleaner for everyone to enjoy.

Our team of 6 dedicated members, including Dale Jansen, Bob Dickenson, Leigh Zeitz, Rob Williams (Holly's husband), and their two awesome children, Maddie and Owen, worked tirelessly to cover 5 miles of trails. Together, they collected 3 bags of refuse, showing our commitment to making a difference one step at a time.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers for their hard work and dedication to community service! Stay tuned for more updates on how the Rough Risers are making a positive impact in the Cedar Valley.

Have you seen the difference in the trails?  If so, tell us where.

Marv Will Be Missed, But Never Forgotten!

HE WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN

Marv Heller  September 1935 - April 2025

The Rough Risers lost another one of our founders with the passing of Marv Heller.

We also lost:

A Leader

An Organizer

A Giving Servant

A Worker

                A Friend

Marv served in all of the offices of the Club as well as Lieutenant Governor for our Kiwanis District.

He organized countless construction projects at the Soccer Center, Hartman Reserve, Cedar Falls, and Waterloo Parks etc. He provided the leadership to see the projects completed.

He was always willing to help in any Club project such as the Gift of Giving, Christmas Family, etc.

Marv made his time and talents available for others - Habitat for Humanity, Education,

and Nazareth Lutheran Church.  He made thirteen trips to the New Orleans area

to help renew the devastated area.

The list goes on, but in the final essence:     

“Marvin Heller Mattered”

 

Our long-time club member, Dr. Emily Borcherding, has been recognized as a Gold Star teacher for Waterloo Schools.  She is a 6-12 math teacher at the Expo School in Waterloo. Emily is one of 10 Black Hawk County teachers who will be awarded with the 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching.

CONGRATULATIONS, EMILY!!

Kiwanis Kettle Corn for Kids: Supporting Cedar Valley Youth for 20 Years

For the past 20 years, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers have been popping kettlecorn with one purpose in mind: to support and uplift youth in the Cedar Valley. The Kiwanis Kettle Corn for Kids project has always been about more than just providing a tasty snack at local events - It's about making a lasting difference in the lives of children in our community.

Our kettlecorn booth is a labor of love, driven by the shared goal of raising funds for youth programs, scholarships, and other initiatives that benefit young people. But our impact doesn’t stop there. We are proud to have the support of 27 local businesses who sponsor our efforts, recognizing the importance of investing in the future of our youth.

These generous merchants play a crucial role in our ability to continue making a difference. Their contributions help us fund vital programs, ensuring that every bag of kettlecorn sold is an investment in a child's education, well-being, and opportunities for growth.

Each year, as we sell our kettlecorn at Sturgis Falls, 4th Street Cruise, and school events, we are reminded that our work is about more than just selling a snack — it’s about building a stronger, more supportive community for our kids.

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and those of you who enjoy our kettlecorn, as your support makes this program possible. Together, we are creating a brighter future for the youth of Cedar Valley.

We are:
"Making a better community, one kid and one kernel at a time."