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. 

Rough Risers Thank Peoples Clinic for their Support against COVID-19

Leigh Zeitz (Project Coordinator),
Augusta Sires (Peoples Community Relations Specialist)
and Jim Larson (Rough Risers President)

Monday, June 22, 2020 - Peoples Clinic, a non-profit health care clinic, has been helping people in Waterloo since 1976 but they really showed their commitment and dedication in their recent confrontation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers club recognized the critical care that Peoples Clinic has been providing for the people of Waterloo and they wanted to show them their gratitude.  The club joined together to write Thank You notes for all of the Peoples Clinic team and raise the money to provide 140 HyVee $10 gift cards as well. On Monday, June 22, Jim Larson (Rough Risers President) and Leigh Zeitz (Project Coordinator) met with Augusta Sires (Peoples Community Relations Specialist) to present their gift for the employees.

Since March, the Clinic has administered over 1300 COVID tests and they have given as many as 45 tests in one day. This outpatient clinic has gone through many changes to attend to their patients' needs. The Urgent Care room was converted into a respiratory clinic to better serve patients and protect the rest of the clinic. The lobby has been redesigned to provide adequate social distancing. All patients and staff are required to wear face masks. They are now using Telehealth systems to meet with patients virtually.

Beyond providing health care services during an intense and challenging time, there have been many instances when their staff has assisted patients with personal needs. Due to COVID-19-related supply shortages and financial hardships, they have provided patients with personal care items, toilet paper, and food. They are also holding a clothing and a school supply drive right now in order to continue taking care of their patients in the most comprehensive way possible.

The Peoples Community Health Clinic is dedicated to "providing access to affordable, compassionate, high-quality health care for all."  Our Kiwanis club thanks Peoples Clinic and our support of them aligns with our mission of "Serving the Children of the World."
Written by Leigh Zeitz and Augusta Sires

This story was covered in the Waterloo Courier:

Rough Risers Support Kiwanis Children's Fund

"To develop resources that transform the goodwill and vision of Kiwanians into programs that serve the children of the world" is the mission statement of Kiwanis International's Children's Fund.  Since 1940, the Kiwanis Children's Fund has been turning members' generosity into projects that reach children all over the world.

The Eliminate Project is a Children's Fund program where Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined together to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus - Not reduce it - ELIMINATE it. Over 55 million lives in 14 countries are depending on Kiwanis to protect their futures.

The Eliminate project identifies $100,000,000 as the goal for making this goal a reality. Our Rough Risers Club has been supporting the Eliminate Project for a number of years and this year we were recognized for contributing over $25/member. We were recognized as a Silver-Level Today Club member.  You will see our virtual badge in the right-hand column on this webpage. 

We thank you, the Rough Risers members, for making your contributions and hope that we can continue to support this project until it reaches its goal. 

Rough Risers Hold a Wrap Party

Rough Risers Ready for Christmas!!

Wednesday, December 5 - At the Wrap Party, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Riser Club had members looking for large ribbon and bows to cover up bad wrapping jobs. We were wrapping presents we had purchased to make Christmas a special time for two special families. 

Every year, the Rough Risers adopt a couple of families through the Salvation Army.  We are given Santa lists from the family members so we know what to get. Everyone pitches into a fund and some of our Kiwanis elves go out to purchase gifts. Now it was our turn to wrap the presents to make Christmas merry.  

A good time was had by all!!!!   Look at those smiles as we try to figure out where to cut and where to tape.     Written by Leigh Zeitz and Lynn Barnes

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy New Year!

Baggin' Produce at the Food Bank

Leigh Zeitz, Jim Larson, Nick Teig, Dale Jansen, and Bob Ericson bag it for the day.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - After our meeting, a handful of Rough Risers visited the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in Waterloo to package food for households in Blackhawk County. We packaged 200 bags of onions and over 60 boxes of potatoes for distribution. We actively support the Food Bank throughout the year.

Working at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank

It is always satisfying to help other organizations help others.  We have a long history of working with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. We have another opportunity to work with them in January to help sort and organize their inventory.

We will help them on: 

• Wednesday, January 10 (8-11:30)
• Wednesday, January 24 (8-11:30)

Written by Leigh Zeitz

Wrapping Things Up for Christmas . . .

Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - Every year, our Kiwanis Rough Risers club adopts a family for Christmas through the Salvation Army. This means that we raise the money, buy the presents, and wrap the gifts to put under their Christmas trees. This year we adopted two families.

We began by raising the money for the gifts. We "passed the envelope" around the room a few times to collect money from the members. Once we had collected the funds, specific members (and/or their spouses) volunteered to purchase gifts for each of the family members.  These gifts included specific items requested by the family members as well as gift cards to various stores.

Today, it was time to wrap the presents and deliver them to Santa.  This is always a fun day as we get to fold, crease, and tape paper around our gifts.  Below is a set of photos of our Rough Risers wrapping:

Interclub Invitation to Paint Castle Hill Playground on Sat. April 22

Let's work together and make a difference in the Cedar Valley!!!!

Click the letter to make it readable

We can bring the Castle Hill Accessible Playground back to 
the beautiful playground we once knew.  

Click Here to Sign-Up to Help

Rough Risers Adopt a Family for Christmas

December 7, 2016 - Every year, our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers club adopts a family for Christmas.  This year we had the opportunity to share goodness with a family of four.

Our process has become well-refined:

• We pass an envelope around the tables to collect contributions from members. 
• These funds are tabulated and then split throughout the family. A certain amount of the total collected is used to provide a gift card at one of the Big Box stores in Cedar Falls.  
• Members volunteer themselves (or spouses) to shop for one of the family members. 
• All of the presents are brought to the first meeting in December and we attempt to wrap the gifts in jovial and Santa-like manner.  
• The gifts are delivered in one of our sleighs to the Salvation Army who then drop them down our adopted family's chimney.

Below are some photos of the jovial Rough Risers as we wrap up our presents and good intentions:

Summer Popping has been a Blast!

Throughout June and early July, the Roughrisers have been popping a lot of Kettlecorn! While the numbers may vary, the Roughrisers have approximately 30 active poppers for each event.  This includes about 2-dozen Kiwanians and 5 Kohls employees.

We were stalking success! At the College Hill Arts Festival, $2,863 was raised in the 2-day event.  $5,929 total was raised from the 3-day event at Sturgis Falls.  Also, at the 4th of July Fireworks at Cattle Congress, we raised $1,000. Throughout our three recent fundraising events the Roughrisers have raised a total of $9,792!

Not to be corny, but this money raised will all be given back to the community. We support many organizations. To read more about this, see our previous post.

The Eliminate Project Reaches $100,000,000

During Kiwanis International’s centennial year, we’ve been celebrating the power of 100. But now that number represents more than just a look back at our past. Today, it became a big step forward.

Kiwanis International is pleased to announce that The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus has reached US$100 million in cash and pledges.

That means the Kiwanis family has saved or protected more than 55 million lives since 2010. And it leaves us just US$10 million away from our fundraising goal of US$110 million.

Five years ago, we made a commitment. Now we’re on the verge of making history. When that moment comes ... how will you be remembered in Kiwanis history?

Make sure you’re part of it! Give today. Then share our big news—and this big opportunity—with family, friends and others.

Rough Risers pledge $7,500 to Hartman Reserve Building Replacement

Last week, Club President, Gery Deaver, presented Hartman Reserve with a 3-year pledge for a total of $7,500.  This money will be joined with other funding resources to replace Hartman's original building at the Nature Center.  The Rough Risers have been long-time strong supporters of Hartman Reserve.  Beyond donating money, we have built storage shelters, refurbished buildings, staffed pancake breakfasts, planted trees and helped with a variety of activities.

This photo shows President Deaver presenting the pledge to the President of Friends of Hartman Reserve Board, Steve Harding.  BTW, Steve Harding is also a past president of our Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers club.

We look forward to working with the Hartman Reserve to service the Cedar Valley community.

Members of the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers reached into their pockets and came up with a contribution of $1100 to join fellow Kiwanians in their fight against the deadly disease of maternal and neonatal tetanus.  The disease is known to cause the death of over 60,000 babies and a significant number of mothers every year, and Kiwanis International has joined forces with UNICEF with the goal of eliminating the disease world-wide. 

The joint effort, named Project Eliminate, has the goal of immunizing 100 million mothers in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.  The total cost of the venture has been set at $110 million.  According to Kiwanis project leaders, funds raised to date total nearly $41 million.

This is not the first global project for Kiwanis.  The organization recently completed its campaign to rid the world of iodine deficiency disorders, the world’s leading preventable cause of mental retardation, raising more than $100 million for the program in 103 nations.

The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers have not only raised funds for such projects, but also have a history of building structures for children in the community, including several at Hartman Reserve Nature Center, Black Hawk County parks, the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex, and Habitat for Humanity homes. 

             Individuals interested in contributing toward the Eliminate Project may contact the Rough Riser’s president, Gery Deaver (through the links in the right-hand column on this website.)  

ColorDash5k Map

Get ready, the Kiwanis ColorDash5k is coming up soon. Sunday, September 8, 2013, at 2 o'clock the fun run/walk begins. Registration packets will be available starting at 12 noon the day of the race. Also, you can pick up packets at the Runner's Flat in downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday, the day before the race.

Go to TheColorDash5k.com to register.

• Families (up to 6 members) can register for $80 per family
• Individuals or members of a team are $40 per person.

Proceeds go to support the Kiwanis Eliminate project which will eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus across the globe. Come, have fun, brighten your day, and help support a worthy cause.

Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club Makes a Difference Over the Past 67 Years

The Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club has made a difference in the Cedar Valley for nearly 7 decades.  (It preceded our Kiwanis Rough Risers club.)

Beginning in post-WWII years (1947), the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club served the community under the motto of "Serving Youth and Community." 

Their service ranged from selling peanuts, apples and waffles to buying equipment for Boy Scout organizations, books and supplies for schools and planting trees in Cedar Falls parks.

Unfortunately, this club had to close its doors in December of 2012.  Norm Lemmon wanted to document the good that his club did for the Cedar Valley so he created the historical list of Fund Raising Events and Projects that they accomplished.

Peruse this 7-page timeline and revel in admiration for a service club that made a difference in Iowa.  It spans their complete history from 1951 - 2012.

Historical Summary of Proje... by on Scribd

Historical Summary of Projects Completed by the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club

Did you know about all of these activities?  Give the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Club a salutation in the comments below.

Building Soccer Shelters - Week of 7/14

We will keep the building communications from Marv Heller in this post throughout the week of 7/14 and beyond.  Please consult this posting if you need information about what will be happening throughout the week.  This is in addition to the emails that you will receive from Sue Loy.

As of July 14:  A crew is needed on Monday, 7/15, from 8 am to noon for layout and other miscellaneous tasks. No work on Tuesday. We will be waiting for holes to be dug.

As of July 16: Scott promised the holes would be dug today.  After inspection tomorrow morning, a crew is needed to set the poles. Every day for the rest of the week, including Saturday, we will work during the coolest part of the day--start time is 7 am.

Join Us for the Kiwanis Color Dash 5K on Sept 8 in Cedar Falls, IA

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Mark the date! Sunday, September 8, 2013, Cedar Valley Kiwanis clubs will host the Color Dash 5K at Gateway Park in Cedar Falls.

As you run/walk/dash/crawl or roll for 5K, you will be blasted with colored powder (food starch) to turn you into a rolling rainbow. It's WONDERFUL!!!

You will receive a Color Dash t-shirt, a Color Dash swag-bag, a Color Dash color pouch for the end finale, and entrance to the dancing event after the run. 
Learn more about the event.  
$40  Individual
$35  Team Member (at least 4 - 100 members per team)
$80  for Full Family (2 - 6 members)

REGISTER ONLINE for the World's Brightest 5K Run.

Proceeds from this event go to the Kiwanis Eliminate project the goal of which is to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. Read more about the Eliminate project here.

Color Dash 5K Run in Cedar Falls by Leigh Zeitz

After you have signed-up online, event packets can be picked up on Sunday starting at 12 noon and the run, walk, dash begins at 2 o'clock. (Packets can also be picked up the day before (Saturday) at The Runner's Flat on Main Street in Cedar Falls.)

Gimme Shelter (CVYSA)

Kiwanis Speaker Highlight

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Bryan Foster, Chairman

Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association

2013 Building Projects

Bryan Foster of the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association visited our club on the 13th. Bryan shared the general plans of the CVYSA for building and general development for the soccer complex. The association is considering a shelter that is considerably larger than the ones the Rough Risers have built in the past. This proposed new shelter would better accommodate some of their larger events. They are also considering other shelters of the size we characteristically build. 

The CVYSA soccer complex has been in the running for state-wide events and is regarded as a premier facility for soccer programs that primarily focus on area recreation programs but also serves schools, universities, and regional events. The facility also hosts the Bosnian Cultural Foundation's Krajiski Teferic, a festival that draws attendees from across the United States.

It was an informative presentation. Bryan pointed out that the bike/hike trail borders the soccer complex and that the trail users can find abeyance in the shelters the Rough Risers have built. However, he emphasized that the shelters provide great comfort to the players and parents of the over 1500 area youth soccer players and he thanked us for our service and support.

The blue zones mark possible locations for shelters. The longer line is part of the Cedar Prairie Trail that borders the soccer complex.

Kiwanis, UNICEF Team Up on Tetanus Project

We made it into the Courier on July 3, 2011. Last Wednesday Karyn Spory, a Courier reporter, had breakfast with us so that she could learn about the Rough Risers. Here is the article that reflects her findings:

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- After more than 30 years of service, the Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers are probably best known for their kettle corn.

But a new national project with UNICEF getting under way soon likely will shed light on some of the Rough Risers' other projects.

Kiwanis International and UNICEF are teaming up to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, a disease that kills nearly 60,000 infants each year, according to the organization's website. The goal is to wipe out the problem by 2015, an initiative that will require $110 million.

Rough Risers President Jim Larson said the group will begin their Eliminate Project later this summer once the new administration takes over. For now the club will focus on local service projects.

Cindy Hahn, one of the directors, said "Rough Risers are doers. This club is hands-on rather than just donation. Our motto is, 'We build,'" she said.

Recent projects included shelters for the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Complex, picnic tables at George Wyth State Park, renovations at the Cedar Falls Ice House and Habitat For Humanity building projects.

"Not only did we build shelters at the soccer complex, but we also built shelters at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center," Secretary Treasurer Gil Hewett said.

She favors the construction efforts but other initiatives are important, too.
 "I don't think it makes much difference which it is because people are working together and I think that's what's important," she said.


The club is always receptive to adding members. The Rough Risers meet at 6:30 a.m. every Wednesday at the Clarion Motel on University Avenue for a buffet style breakfast and a little work.

"It's a great organization," Larson said. "You get to know each other and get to do things within the community."

Read More: http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/kiwanis-unicef-team-up-on-tetanus-project/article_c13062bb-5c96-56df-87f5-5c119cd0f0cd.html#ixzz1R4qDtPow

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