Regional Jail Superintendent Touts Success of Re-Entry Program

The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville hosted Colonel Ronald Matthews, Superintendent of the Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail, and Phyllis Back, Director of Programs at ACRJ, at their regular meeting Monday evening, November 2, at the Elks Lodge.  Colonel Matthews cited a recently published study conducted by Ann B. Loper of UVA's Curry School of Education which showed that inmates who had undergone an intensive 8-week re-entry program prior to being released were much less likely to re-offend than those who did not go through the program.  In the 170-person study, 31 percent of the offenders who did not go through the program were re-booked into the jail within six months.  But only 14.5 percent of the persons who had completed the program were re-booked.  Twenty percent of those who had a brief meeting with the Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR) transition team, but did not go through the 8-week program, were rebooked into the jail within six months of release. "Recidivism is a serious problem faced by all communities in America," Matthews noted, "and we at the jail are interested in partnering with the community so that we can strengthen re-entry programs which have proven to lower the rate of recidivism."  Phyllis Back explained the details of the Re-entry Program and other efforts, such as GED classes, vocational workshops, AA and NA meetings, and a re-entry mentoring program.  All of these mostly volunteer-driven programs are aimed at moving offenders towards successful rehabilitation and away from those behaviors that will likely lead them back to jail.  Ms. Back encouraged the Kiwanians to volunteer in the wide variety of programs she directs, while Colonel Matthews underscored the importance of community employers and landlords extending a welcoming hand to those coming out of jail in search of a job and housing.  "If each employer can offer just one inmate a chance at a job, imagine the difference that would make in the attitude of all the others who have most likely abandoned hope of ever rehabilitating their lives," Matthews said.  "We need to change the perceptions of people and focus on the positive, on the success potential of these individuals, all the while offering them coaching and mentoring and positive relationships to keep them on the right track."  The community has an important stake in the success of this program, said Jim Hart, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club, and a volunteer re-entry mentor.  Hart invited Kiwanians to take a "Look Behind the Walls," in a tour conducted monthly by Chaplain Alonzo Minor of the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry.  "It will change the way you look at our jail," he said.  "Just by visiting you will have a positive impact on those inmates and jail staff who come in contact with you."

Colonel Matthews and Phyllis Back	Col. Matthews with Kiwanis President Don Foss

 

"Team Kiwanis" Makes Appeal for Membership at Chamber Business Expo

From what I observed at the Chamber Business Expo at John Paul Jones Arena during my shift, our presence was the best ever ! Thanks to all who made it happen with the colorful posters, candy, coverlet and sign up sheet for the drawing, basket for business cards, club banners, Christmas Tree/Wreath brochure, and our Kiwanians networking with people. Although there appeared to be fewer business folks attending compared to prior years, we had quality time to interact and tell our story about Kiwanis, especially Barb Ritter with the lady prospects. Gordon Merrick even won a car !!!! 

We had a great exchange with Jackie Gamache from Hospice. They are very excited about being chosen as the recipient of the Pancake Breakfast proceeds.  Partnering with them has already begun. Jim Hart and I provided Jackie with last year's PCB flyer, and other Kiwanis info so they know as much about us as possible.  She will engage their organization immediately to collaborate on this project.

In my estimation, this is another building block to grow our club membership. We might get a couple members from this effort.  For the record, Don Foss, Herb Ely, Jim Masloff, Jim Hart, Barb Ritter, Charlie Krizek, Norm Gutzler, and I did our best to meet and greet and let everyone know that Kiwanis is looking for volunteers eager to make a difference in the lives of children and youth in our community.

 --  Bob Pflugfelder 

 

Gordon Merrick Gives Charlie Krizek a Laser Therapy Demo	Barb, Norm, Don, Bob, and Jim Greet Visitors to the Kiwanis Booth

 

 

Charlottesville Conducts "In-Meeting K-Family Service Night"

The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville held its first ever K-Family In-Service Meeting Night, Monday evening, October 19 at the Elks Lodge. We had an excellent dinner which gave us time to meet and greet each other, and then we conducted an intergenerational service project, making 46 goody bags especially for the children at UVA's Children's Hospital. Participating were friendly and enthusiastic Charlottesville Kiwanis members, several guests (prospective members), youthful and energetic members of the Service Leadership Programs (SLPs), including the Circle K International (CKI) at the university of Virginia, and Key Clubs at Albemarle High School and Western Albemarle High School, and an "interclub" visit from the Kiwanis Club of Shenandoah Valley. CKI at UVA, led by Brian Cofrancesco and Kathryn Brown, played an especially important role in designing the project, organizing and supervising the activity, and even in recruiting the other members of the K-Family to attend this unique community service event. 

 

Charlottesville Kiwanis 5K Race Benefits Camp Holiday Trails

The 26th annual Kiwanis Independence Day 5K race took place on the most salubrious July 4th morning in recent memory. Nearly 340 runners, ranging in age from 5 to 83, spread out over the gently rolling hills of the lovely Forest Lakes North subdivision in Charlottesville. Alec Lorenzoni finished first with a time of 15:51. The top female finisher was Lauretta Dezubay at 17:38. The big winner was Camp Holiday Trails, a marvelous summer camp for children with special health needs. Led by major sponsor, Better Living Inc,. dozens of local businesses made contributions that resulted in proceeds of more than $7,000 going to the camp. The Charlottesville Track Club, represented by Carol Finch and Jay Wilderman, once again provided special guidance to the Charlottesville Kiwanians who have produced a very well-organized race that has become an annual summer holiday tradition for many families representing, amazingly, three generations.  By special proclamation, the race was dedicated to Carol Finch who has provided  assistance to Kiwanis and to countless other runners over the years.  Click here to see the proclamation.

Click here to see the Kiwanis post-race Thank You ad which appeared in the Daily Progress.

 

Charlottesville Kiwanians Clean Books at Children's Library 

Participating in one of their most favorite "Service Nights," 18 Charlottesville Kiwanians cleaned and refurbished approximately 1,000 well-used but soiled children books at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library.  "The Kiwanians always do such a tremendous job that we asked them to come back again at their earliest opportunity," said Karen Gillaspie, Children's Library Director.  The Charlottesville Kiwanis Club meets at the Elk's Lodge every Monday evening except the fourth.  The fourth Monday has been designated for the past ten years as "Service Night," where Kiwanians and K-Family members and spouses and friends and prospective members venture out to a local non-profit to enjoy two hours of service and fellowship.  The fourth Monday in August saw the Kiwanians doing landscape work at the Ronald McDonald House.  They also cheerfully shared the catered meal with several families who were staying at the facility adjacent to the University of Virginia Children's Hospital.  And since there is a fifth Monday in August, Charlottesville Kiwanis has decided to head back over to Jefferson-Madison Regional Library to clean another thousand or so books and let the library put them in the hands of Charlottesville's eager young readers.

Applying a healthy dose of elbow grease are (from left) John Harris, Dick Lentzsch, and Ray Hogan.	Past LTGs Don Jones (left) and Ken Smith

 

 

 

Capital District Foundation Supports UVA Children's Hospital

 

Past Division Five Lieutenant Governor Donald W. Jones (from right) of the Charlottesville Kiwanis Club, accompanied by Capital District Foundation Life Member and Past Kiwanis President Jim Hart, presented a check for $3,700 to Amy Wicks-Horn, Director of the Annual Fund for the University of Virginia Children's Hospital. As the Division 5 representative on the Capital District Foundation Board, Don is proud to report that the Kiwanis Capital District Foundation has contributed nearly $100,000 to UVA's outstanding Children's Hospital over the past 20 years.  Dr. Jones recently retired after more than 30 years of distinguished service at UVA as Professor and Presidential Assistant/Adviser.  He joined the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville in 1976 and his outstanding service has been recognized with the George F. Hixson Award and induction into the Kiwanis International Legion of Honor.

 

 

Charlottesville Kiwanis 5K Race Supports Camp Holiday Trails

 

The 26th running of the Kiwanis Independence Day 5K race was a big success.  More than $7,000 will go directly to support the efforts of Camp Holiday Trails, a camp for children with special health needs.  This year's race attracted a record number 339 participants, who ranged in age from 5 up to 83.  The top male runner, Alec Lorenzoni, finished with a time of 15:51, while Lauretta Dezubay led the women with a time of 17:38.  The Charlottesville Track Club, represented by Carol Finch and Jay Wilderman,  once again organized a very professional race and tabulated and published results within minutes of the finish.  Special thanks go to the major race sponsor, Better Living Inc., and to more than two dozen other businesses who provided monetary and in-kind support for this Charlottesville summer holiday tradition.  Kiwanis also salutes Marc Lorenzoni of Ragged Mountain Running Shop, who has guided Kiwanis in this endeavor which has raised nearly $100,000 in the past quarter century for local agencies serving children and youth.

Kiwanians Prepare to Greet Racers with Refreshments.	Kiwanis President Norm Gutzler and Race Director Bill Hall present check for $7,000 to Susan Smith of Camp Holiday Trails.

 

 

Fifth Annual Kiwanis Pancakes on Parade Day

 

The fifth edition of the Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast was a big success.  More than four hundred hungry patrons provided a steady stream of visitors to First Presbyterian Church on Saturday morning, April 25, the same morning as the spectacular Dogwood Festival Parade in downtown Charlottesville.  When the final accounting is done approximately $8,000 will have been raised to support the STAR Kids project of Children Youth & Family Services, Inc.  Local talk radio stars Joe Thomas of WCHV and Rob Schilling of WINA promoted the benefit heartily on their shows in the weeks prior to the event, and Joe even performed a shift in front of the griddle for the second consecutive year.  Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris and Counselor Holly Edwards proclaimed the event a sterling example of community service in action and praised the Kiwanians, CKI at UVA, and the Key Clubs for their culinary skills as well as for their civic-mindedness.  "Team Kiwanis" sponsors Sam's Club, Starbucks, and Pepsi-Cola Central Virginia led dozens of other generous local and national industry partners in an event that promises to be one of the highlights of Dogwood Festival season in Charlottesville for years to come.

Strawberry Patch Kiwanians	Kate & Jackie from CYFS, Inc.
Clare & Brian from CKI at UVA	Mayor Dave Norris & His Happy Kids
Kids' Table	Boy Scouts Fuel Before Parade

Joe Thomas Flips Over Pancakes	What's More Fun Than This?	Sausage Won't Last Long

 

. . . . .to see more from the 2009 Pancake Breakfast click here!

 

 

CKI at UVA Organizes "Kiwanis One Day" at CHT and an Egg Hunt on the UVA Lawn

 

In connection with their annual spring service retreat weekend , CKI at UVA brought together approximately 50 members of the Central Virginia K-Family for an energetic "Kiwanis One Day" event at Camp Holiday Trails on Saturday, April 4.  On the following Saturday, the club organized its fourth annual Egg Hunt for approximately one hundred community children on the historic Lawn at the University of Virginia. Below are some pictures from these two terrific events organized by our young leaders in service at UVA.

 

 

 

 

Charlottesville Kiwanis Club Meetings Informative and Fun

 

The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville offers a pleasant and cost-effective way to gain information and connect socially with civic-minded friends on a weekly basis.  Meeting at the Elks Lodge every Monday evening (except the fourth) at 6:30 p.m., approximately 30 Kiwanians and their invited guests and potential new members gather for dinner, hear a short list of announcements, participate in a fifty-fifty drawing, and then share the very popular $Happy Dollar$.  At 7:29 p.m., the program committee chair introduces the speaker, who always conducts a lively interactive discussion that ends promptly at 8 p.m.  Pictured is Club President Norm Gutzler presenting a souvenir Kiwanis bell to Mandy Steiner, M.A., a graduate student in the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Virginia, who spoke to the Club at its meeting on February 16.  Ms. Steiner is conducting a long-range study of the emotional and social functioning of older adults.  Preliminary results of her investigation confirm what Kiwanians have known all along:  participation in civic clubs and volunteer organizations such as Kiwanis contributes to healthy aging.  Ms. Steiner and her colleagues in the program of sensory and systems neuroscience are documenting the influence of experience on learning and memory using anatomical, electrophysical, and behavioral techniques.  There was enthusiastic response to her call for volunteers for her study, but many were disappointed to learn that strict age requirements of the study limited participation to only those between the ages of 65 and 75.  Nonetheless, all in attendance wished her the best of luck in her studies and encouraged her to consider joining Kiwanis to experience the remarkable friendliness of this group of successfully aging adults who are passionate about serving the children of the world.

 

 

 

Charlottesville K-Family Supports Excellent Non-Profits

 

 The strong relationship that Charlottesville Kiwanis has built over the years with the community's most effective non-profits has resulted in regular joint service projects involving Key Clubbers, members of CKI, and Kiwanians along with their guests and potential new members.  On Monday evening, January 26, Charlottesville's monthly "work night" took place at the Habitat Store, a retail sales store which, according to volunteer coordinator Carla Mullen, provides a self-sustaining funding source to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville.  "The store extends Habitat's mission by making home maintenance more affordable," she said, "and also assists the community in recycling and reusing surplus new and used building materials, thereby reducing the flow of materials in the waste stream."  A dozen Kiwanians led by President Norm Gutzler, three Key Clubbers, including Capital District Key Club Governor Christina Horton, and a guest and potential new member invited by past president Jim Hart, relocated an entire department (lighting fixtures), swept the floors, and washed windows before enjoying a scrumptious dinner supplied by Bread Works, a deli/bakery operated by clients of WorkSource Enterprises. 

 

 

On Wednesday evening January 21, a dozen CKI members, led by President Brian Cofrancesco, at their regular meeting at the University of Virginia's Cabell Hall enjoyed a sandwich-making party to benefit the homeless shelter at the Salvation Army in Charlottesville.  Upwards of 70 hearty deli sandwiches were constructed by the energetic leaders in community service at UVA.  Past Charlottesville Kiwanis President Jim Hart arranged with the Salvation Army to receive the sandwiches that very evening to be used in a variety of ways by Central Virginia's largest homeless shelter and transitional housing facility.  Bag lunches were provided to residents going out to work and coming back from work.  Other sandwiches went to supplement the next day's luncheon at the soup kitchen, which provides three meals a day seven days a week to the 80 homeless men, women, and children living at The Salvation Army.  The soup kitchen also serves lunch to the day care center Monday through Friday and is open to the general public in desperate need as well.  The Charlottesville K-Family has long played an important role in providing volunteer support for this fine community organization.

 

 

 

 

Kiwanians Gather for Holiday Cheer at Blue Ridge Cafe

 

More than 60 Kiwanians and their guests took a break from making wreaths, selling trees, ringing bells, organizing parties, rehearsing lessons & carols, and the countless other necessary activities of the hectic holiday season by coming together for the annual Kiwanis Christmas party at Blue Ridge Cafe in Ruckersville on December 8.  Aside from partaking in the much-anticipated preprandial libations, sharing stories of remarkable family news from the previous year, straining to sample at least a bite from all the platefuls of hearty fare prepared by Chef Shawn Hayes, the K-Family took time to honor past president and long-time Kiwanian, Bob Fehse, with a resolution (click here).  Happy dollars were offered up by Kiwanians at every table--all grateful for the friendship and fellowship that the club offers year-in and year-out through thick and thin.  Melody Day led the group in several stanzas of familiar carols, putting us all in the proper spirit to last for the rest of the season, or at least for the long ride home.  Bill and Cornelia Baddeley are to be congratulated for having had the foresight to secure this location for our annual affair many years ago.

 

 

 

 

Charlottesville K-Family Brings Santa's Joy to Hundreds

 

The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville has provided a "Holiday Party for Persons with Disabilities" for nearly thirty years, while CKI at the University of Virginia conducted its very first "Breakfast with Santa" for the Boys & Girls Club of Charlottesville/Albemarle.  Both events were resounding successes.  On December 6, more than 85 children and families from the local Boys & Girls Club were treated to a scrumptious breakfast catered by Aramark at the University Student Activities Building.  CKI members decorated the hall and staffed dozens of game stations which entertained young and old alike for the whole morning, while Santa (portrayed by past Kiwanis president Philip Day) met with the kids and handed out dozens and dozens of presents.  Then in the evening of December 15, two dozen Kiwanians gathered at WorkSource Enterprises and served a barbecue dinner to a record number of 140 clients of the ARC of the Piedmont, Region Ten Community Services Board, and WorkSource Enterprises along with their caregivers.  Everyone was amazed by the spirited antics of Mr. Magic of Freckles & Friends and the room erupted with screams of delight when Santa (again depicted by Charlottesville Kiwanian Philip Day) made his entrance and distributed candy canes.   The club funded these events through its 76th annual sale of Christmas Trees and even managed to spend eight hours ringing the bell for the Salvation Army outside Sam's Club on Saturday December 13. The success of all of these December events shows that the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville and the K-Family has established itself as one of this community's leaders sharing Christmas joy to the children and families in need. 

 

 

 

 

CKI at UVA Celebrates 45th Anniversary

 

More than 75 members of the K-Family gathered for an elegant dinner in the Dome Room of Thomas Jefferson's Rotunda in the heart of the "academical village" known now as the University of Virginia on November 15.  The occasion marked the 45th anniversary of the chartering of Circle K International at UVA, which took place in May of 1963.  Anniversary Committee chair Libby Gilchrist-Thompson of Harrisonburg welcomed the guests and referred everyone to the display of yearbooks, scrapbooks, awards, the original charter, and other memorabilia providing a glimpse at the remarkable past history of the club.  Current president of the sponsoring Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville, Norman E. Gutzler, spoke words of greetings and pledged the club's continued support for our college-age service leaders.  Brian L. Cofrancesco, current president of CKI at UVA, read a special letter of greetings from John W. Stallings, charter president, who said "Any time we can put aside the ego by serving others, the community and the world, our spirit soars with an intrinsic joy."  Showing collegial support by their attendance were many visiting members of CKI from several colleges and universities in the Capital District, including Capital District CKI Governor Heather Waite from Virginia Tech, who made the key note speech and then conducted an induction ceremony for new members of CKI at UVA.  Kelly Pilkerton of James Madison University, the current Lieutenant Governor of CKI's Presidential Division, performed a unique "reaffirmation" ceremony with the participation of all current members of CKI.  The highlight of the evening was a spectacular "Year in Review" slide show produced by Technology Committee Chair Darcy Mason.  Octogenarian Charlottesville Kiwanian, Bill Baddeley, remarked that the slide show illustrated with pictures and music what thousands of words could never express--community service engaged in by energetic college students is the most fun anyone can have doing good for the children of the world.

 

 

Capital District Foundation Supports UVA Children's Hospital

 

Past Division Five Lieutenant Governor Donald W. Jones of the Charlottesville Kiwanis Club presented a check for $3,500 to Amy Wicks-Horn, Director of the Annual Fund for the University of Virginia Children's Hospital.  As the Division 5 representative on the Capital District Foundation Board, Don reports that the Kiwanis Capital District Foundation has contributed nearly $100,000 to UVA's outstanding Children's Hospital over the past 20 years.  Dr. Jones recently retired after more than 30 years of distinguished service at UVA as Professor and Presidential Assistant/Adviser.  He joined the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville in 1976 and his outstanding service has been recognized with the George F. Hixson Award and induction into the Kiwanis International Legion of Honor.

 

 

 

Albemarle High Key Club Raises Money for Children of Burma

 

The largest Key Club in Division 5A, numbering some 200 enthusiastic Albemarle High School students, flooded the All-American Car Wash in Charlottesville several weeks ago to raise money for the Capital District Key Club's Burma Project.  More than $400 will go to support aid efforts to the south Asian country that is suffering from political and social distress.  Key Club leader Juliana Zhang explained that the project not only helped the students learn about international politics and geography but gave them an opportunity to reach out to assist kids half way around the world.  And they had hours of fun to boot!

 

 

 

 

Special Speakers Bring Charlottesville Kiwanians to their Feet

 

The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville, now meeting at The Elk's Lodge near Darden Towe Park, welcomed three outstanding speakers recently.  On September 8, Senior VP of BB&T Bank, Bryan Thomas entertained all the football fanatics in the room by giving a first hand account of what it's like to be a college football referee in the Colonial Athletic League.  Bryan brought along his essential referee gear, including penalty flag, bean bag, and whistle, and engaged the audience in a vigorous rendition of "chalk talk."   On September 22, popular web-based political commentator Sophia Nelson came down from Northern Virginia after having recently appeared on FoxNews Hannity & Colmes.  Ms. Nelson was the guest of her life-long friends Philip and Melody Day and dazzled the audience with her insight into the 2008 national political campaign.  She was the only speaker in recent Kiwanis memory to receive a standing ovation both before and after her presentation.  And, on October 6, the first speaker of the 2008-2009 Kiwanis year, Keith Moored, brought us the latest exciting information about research at the UVA School of Engineering.  Keith is engaged in a ground-breaking project where the propulsion dynamics of manta rays are being studied and utilized in the manufacture of under-water vehicles.  This innovation represents a clever marriage between the sciences of biology and engineering for applications in numerous fields, including national defense.  Keith was accompanied by his wife, Christine, who is investigating possible uses of this technology in her special field of biomedical engineering.  Kiwanians were in agreement that our future is bright when we consider the work of these two young graduate students at UVA.

 

 

 

All American Car Wash Benefits CKI Club at UVA

 

On what must have been the most salubrious day of the summer, two dozen members of the CKI Club at UVA scrubbed and buffed a veritable fleet of late model vehicles at a benefit car wash at the All American Car Wash on Long Street near Pantops Mountain.  Money raised went to support the numerous charitable activities engaged in by the college-age members of the K-Family, including projects to help UVA's Children's Hospital and the Boys & Girls Club of Charlottesville/Albemarle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CKI at UVA Gathers 75 Young Leaders for Putt-Putt Social 

More than 75 young leaders in community service gathered for a fun day of Putt-Putt golf on the course on Rio Road East on what must have been the hottest afternoon of the summer, September 14.  Summoned by the CKI Club at UVA who billed this as a celebration of the opening of another school year, leaders from the six Key Clubs in Division 5A of the Capital District joined members of Circle K International chapters at Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, and Mary Baldwin College as well as UVA for fellowship and socializing and a friendly game of miniature golf.  Somehow the management secured enough putters for the throng which literally blanketed both 18-hole courses.  Pictured is a group of young K-Family leaders, from left:  Frankie from VCU, Brian Cofrancesco, president of CKI at UVA, Christina Horton, the Capital District Key Club Governor from AHS,and Sabrina Lau, CKI membership committee chair at UVA.  If you ever wondered what Kiwanis accomplishes, just look at the smiling faces of these young leaders -- it makes you proud to be a Kiwanian.

 

 

 

 

 

Kiwanis International Praises Charlottesville Boys & Girls Club Success Story

 

Kiwanis International has taken note of Charlottesville's growing involvement with the Boy's & Girls Club by publishing an article on the Kiwanis One web site about the Pancake Breakfast and upcoming the bold initiatives of the CKI Club at UVA...(read more). Pictured is the presentation of the donation check of the proceeds of the 4th annual Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast.  From left: Kiwanis CKI advisor Bob Ribando; Melissa Kibbe, site manager of the Boys & Girls Club located at Jack Jouett Middle School; and Brian Cofrancesco, president of CKI at UVA   The presentation took place at CKI's first general membership meeting in UVA's Cabell Hall.

 

 

Kiwanis, Boys & Girls Clubs partner to benefit children

Recognizing that no single organization can provide remedy to the needs of children worldwide, Kiwanis International has joined in a memorandum of understanding with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to foster, nurture, and establish a legacy of serving...(read more)

 

 

 

Charlottesville Kiwanis Volunteers Build Library for STARS Program

 

The fourth Monday evening in August found 15 Kiwanians, led by Charlie Krizek, building bookcases and sorting books in an effort to create a central library for the STARS Program, a residential service for adolescents who are in special need of independent living skills. Pictured are teenagers in the program working alongside the Kiwanis volunteers.  In a very generous return gesture, the kids prepared a scrumptious lasagna dinner, complete with salad and dessert.  The STARS Program is administered by the James Foundation in cooperation with state and local departments of social services.  There are four group homes providing housing and support for 31 at-risk youth.  The supports provided by staff and volunteers in the community include access to a wide range of opportunities in education and training, employment, and therapy.  "The goal is always towards transition for these youth either back to their families or to independent living," said Kelli Magan, executive director.  Everyone involved enjoyed a vigorous evening "serving the children of the world." 

 

 

 

Interclub "Plus One" at District Convention

Charlottesville was one of 103 Kiwanis Clubs represented at the 90th annual Capital District Convention held at the Marriott Hotel in Richmond from August 15 to 17.  Our club accomplished an interclub "plus one" with five members in attendance.  Pictured at the fellowship luncheon on Saturday are (from left) public relations chair Jim Hart, Club Secretary Herb Ely, Treasurer Barb Ritter, and President Norm Gutzler.  Jim also caught up with a busy Don Jones so he could pose for a photo.  Don is the Presidential Region representative on the board of the Capital District Foundation.  Among the more exciting events of the weekend was unveiling of the Capital District's Strategic Plan, a Vision Toward 2015.  In that year, in-coming Governor Tom Ganse explained, 20,000 Capital District Kiwanians will provide 350,000 service hours, invest $4.4 million to support community needs, and sponsor 860 Service Leadership Program clubs through Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.  It is up to each individual club to adopt a vision of its own for 2015 and working together celebrate the 100th birthday of Kiwanis with success in service and leadership.  Another highlight occurred when Albemarle High School's own Christina Horton, current Governor of the Capital District Key Club, addressed the gathering at the gala Governor's Banquet on Saturday evening.  Pictured below is Christina at a recent meeting of the club at the Elk's Lodge, where she reported on her attendance at the Key Club International Convention in Orlando. Club members were amazed to learn that there are 14,000 Key Clubbers in the Capital District. More than 300 of these young leaders are sponsored in 6 clubs by the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville.

 

 

 

WAHS Key Club Commits Saturday Mornings to Salvation Army

 

In a daring burst of enthusiasm on the eve of the opening of the new school year, WAHS Key Club president Riley Wilson informed Lisa Chapman, the volunteer coordinator at The Salvation Army, that she could count on a team from Western Albemarle High School helping out with food rescue at the soup kitchen each and every Saturday morning for the foreseeable future.  Pictured is the first team of seven WAHS Key Clubbers with Riley at left.  Working from 10 until 12:30, the team helped sort and mark the food rescue donation and took it to the kitchen and the pantry and to the thrift store for distribution to those in need.  They then volunteered to help straighten and clean the library/computer room in the emergency shelter.  Finally, several members stayed to help serve the noon meal.  Kiwanis liaison for the WAHS Key Club, Jim Hart, was also there to cheer on these fine young leaders in service to the community.

 

Riley is challenging all K-Family members to join Western Albemarle at The Salvation Army shelter on Saturdays between 10 and 12:30.  Please note that it is mandatory that individual volunteers or teams contact Lisa Chapman in advance by phone or e-mail so that she can fill out the proper forms and schedule the work to be performed.  Her number is 434-295-4058, and her e-mail is lisa_chapman@uss.salvationarmy.org  The Salvation Army provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for approximately 80 homeless men, women, and children year round.  Its soup kitchen serves 200 meals a day, every day, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The volunteer help provided so generously by the Kiwanis Family is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Charlottesville Kiwanis 5K Race Supports Camp Holiday Trails

 

The 25th running of the Kiwanis Independence Day 5K race was a big success.  More than $6,000 will go directly to support the efforts of Camp Holiday Trails, a camp for children with special health needs.  For the first time young CHT campers were among the 242 participants, who ranged in age from 5 up to 82.  The top male runner, Taylor Robertson, finished with a time of 16:44, while Leigh Baumgart led the women with a time of 20:58.  The Charlottesville Track Club, represented by Carol Finch and Jay Wilderman,  once again organized a very professional race and tabulated and published results within minutes of the finish.  Special thanks go to the major race sponsor, Better Living Inc., and to more than two dozen other businesses who provided monetary and in-kind support for this Charlottesville summer holiday tradition.  Kiwanis also salutes Marc Lorenzoni of Ragged Mountain Running Shop, who has guided Kiwanis in this endeavor which has raised more than $80,000 in the past quarter century for local agencies serving children and youth.

 

 

The Service Leadership Programs at UVA and at Western Albemarle High School chose the great outdoors as the setting for a farewell to graduating club members and an induction of officers for the 2008-2009 school year.  On a chilly day at the end of April, UVA students and guests from CKI at Virginia Commonwealth University, Mary Baldwin, and James Madison, met with representatives of Kiwanis and enjoyed a picnic in the "Dell" at on the beautiful UVA Grounds behind the old dorms.  Pictured (left) is Kiwanis President Norm Gutzler going over the official duties for the new CKI Secretary Kathryn Brown from Northern Virginia.  In the background you can see outgoing CKI president and past Presidential Division LTG Katie Smith from nearby Fluvanna County.  Katie has spent the last 8 wonderful years as a very active member of Key Club and CKI sponsored by the Charlottesville Kiwanis Club.

 

And on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in mid-May, several Kiwanians joined the Western Albemarle Key Club at a picnic at Mint Springs park in Crozet for a celebration of the graduation of Key Clubbers and the induction of new officers.  Pictured (right) is Kiwanis President Norm Gutzler setting out on a trail that had been cleared and maintained by the WAHS Key Club as a special project.  Leading the group is faculty adviser Caroline Bertrand, who recommended the hike as a way for everyone to build up an appetite for the picnic lunch.   WAHS Key Club and UVA CKI both saw a resurgence of membership in 2007-2008 and both look forward to many years of vigorous community service and thoughtful leadership experience as part of the Kiwanis Family.

 

Submitted by:  Jim Hart, Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville   www.avenue.org/kiwanis  

Kiwanis Team Competes in Central Little League Majors

Once again this year, the Kiwanis-sponsored team is the midst of a very tough race in the competitive Central Little League Majors Division.  With a record of 6 wins and 6 losses, Kiwanis is in second place, 3.5 games behind Outback Steakhouse.  On Monday, May 12, Kiwanis thumped the league leaders by a score of 10-1, but on Wednesday, May 14, they dropped a contest to Airport Motors who trails Kiwanis in third place by one game. On Wednesday, May 7, Kiwanis scored a stirring come-from-behind win over Masonic Lodge (currently in fourth place) with a two-out walk-off base hit in the bottom of the 6th (last) inning.  A real treat is in store for any K-Family member who comes out to Pen Park to join the kids and their coaches and families as they heartily "cheer for Kiwanis."  See the standings, schedules, results, and other information by clicking on the Central Little League link from our own web site. 

Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast Benefits Boys & Girls Club

Sam's Club helped Charlottesville Kiwanians and K-Family members flip thousands of pancakes, serve hundreds of sausages, and pour gallons of Starbucks Coffee and Pepsi product in the fourth annual Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast on the morning of the Dogwood Festival Parade, April 26.  When all the counting is done, more than $5,000 will go to support the Keystone Program of the Boys & Girls Club of Charlottesville/Albemarle.  Pictured in the top row from left are Boys & Girls Club leaders welcoming guests; Albemarle High School Key Clubbers assisting; a happy pancake patron.  In the next row we see Kiwanis kitchen chief Tony Hastoglis keeping the crew busy, including WCHV radio personality Joe Thomas and Kiwanian Gordon Merrick. The third row shows that this Kiwanis event was fun for young people of all ages and promises to continue as one of the most anticipated events of Dogwood Festival time in Charlottesville, benefiting the finest local agencies working with our children and youth.

Renaissance Comes Alive for Charlottesville Kiwanis

The genteel age of the Renaissance in England came to life on Monday evening April 7 at The Ponderosa.  Ms. Debra Weidman, portraying a faire Elizabethan maiden, and her husband looking every bit the part of King Henry VIII, discussed this long forgotten and rarely studied age of splendor.  Ms. Weidman is the designer and seamstress of the Renaissance period clothing and was able to explain in great detail the construction and finishing of the clothing that she and her husband wore.  She participates in numerous "Renaissance Faires" around the country and her lecture attested to her solid command of the historical details from this by-gone era.  Ms. Weidman operates a shop called Lady Faire, which produces fine renditions of clothing from other historic periods as well, including the American Civil War and the time of Victorian England.  The Kiwanians and their guests thoroughly enjoyed this unique exploration of European history and hope that Ms. Weidman and her husband return soon, perhaps in the clothing of another famous historical period. 

Kiwanis Learns About Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc.

Peggy Law, Director of Service Dogs of Virginia, brought a freshly trained blond lab named Jib to an appreciative K-Family audience at The Ponderosa, on Monday evening, April 14.  Service Dogs of Virginia, Inc. raises, trains and places dogs to assist people with disabilities. Labs are especially valued as Service Dogs because of their friendly, approachable demeanor and their adaptability to learning an amazing variety of helpful tasks. Peggy Law explained that service dogs are companions that can perform a variety of tasks for their handlers, including retrieving dropped items such as cell phones, pencils, and change; opening and closing doors; and “fetching” a cordless telephone to name a few.   A service dog not only makes life easier and safer, additionally, the dog serves as a vital bridge to the able bodied community. A canine companion is an appealing warm magnet that draws people to an individual in a wheelchair, an individual who is characteristically ignored and rendered invisible. "Once the dog performs this little bit of magic, disabled individuals can be seen for the people they are," said Ms. Law.  Almost every Kiwanian in the room had a story to tell about a beloved and faithful dog that they knew and expressed great admiration for the work of Service Dogs in assisting people with disabilities in Central Virginia.

Busy Saturday Morning for Charlottesville K-Family

Charlottesville Kiwanis Spruces Up Ronald McDonald House

For the second time in 7 months, the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville dedicated its monthly "work night" to sprucing up the grounds of the Ronald McDonald House, a place where for 25 years pediatric patients and their families have been able to find affordable lodging while they are in town for medical treatment.  In August of last year and again in late March, 2008, fifteen energetic Kiwanis volunteers performed yard work, light landscaping, gardening, and did some painting around the exterior of the beautiful three-story brick building located on a quiet street just blocks from UVA Children's Hospital.  Don Foss, recently retired faculty member of Albemarle High School and long-time adviser to the AHS Key Club, took the leaf blower to the walkways surrounding the patio and its nearby brick walk of honor.  He pointed with pride to the brick acknowledging the support given to Ronald McDonald House in 1995 by "his" Key Club.  "This brick reminds everyone in the community of how Kiwanis and the K-Family strives to help children's charities in general and UVA Children's Hospital in particular, both by raising money for great causes and by doing actual hands-on work projects," said Norm Gutzler, current president. "For more than eighty-five years, Kiwanis has been setting the example for enthusiastic and effective community service and has conveyed the importance of that practice to its service leadership programs, engaging approximately four hundred area youth," he continued.   The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville sponsors Key Clubs at six area high schools, a Builders Club at Jack Jouett Middle School, and a Circle K International (CKI) chapter at the University of Virginia.

(Pictured: near the tree, Philip Day and Don Jones; with the spray paint, Charlie Krizek; and with the potted plants, Peyton Ledford and Virginia Rybolt.)

UVA's CKI Holds Third Annual Egg Hunt on Lawn

The University of Virginia Chapter of Circle K International (CKI) hosted its Third Annual Egg Hunt on the Lawn on Saturday, March 22.  CKI volunteers filled more than 1,000 colorful eggs with candy and other treats and hid them across the expanse of the south end of Mr. Jefferson's Academical Village.  Two hunts were held and more than fifty children, with their families in observance, raced each other to find the springtime treasures.  "Older kids were seen sharing their loot with much younger ones, who may have not been as quick to scour the field," said Katie Smith, a UVA fourth year from Fluvanna County and president of the 45-member student organization.  In between Egg Hunts, CKI members conducted a face-painting workshop and also sold baked goods to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  UVA CKI is a service and leadership program sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville.  It has been serving the needs of children in Charlottesville and worldwide for nearly 45 years.

UVA CKI Harnesses K-Family Energy for Camp Holiday Trails

More than fifty CKI, Key Club, and Kiwanis volunteers pulled together on the weekend of March 14-16 for the first-ever Charlottesville K-Family Spring Service Retreat benefiting Camp Holiday Trails, a summer camp for children with special health needs. "It is always a pleasure working with CHT because they never fail to tell us exactly what they need done," commented Barb Ritter, the treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville, which sponsors six Key Clubs in local area high schools, a Builders Club at Jack Jouett Middle School, and the Circle K International chapter at the University of Virginia. Hiking trails and stream beds were cleared from debris that had accumulated over the winter. The Challenge Course was made ready for the installation of obstacles and other devices, which will soon provide hours of summer fun and excitement for hundreds of campers. The volunteers happily took to canoes to set and clear algae traps on the lake and enjoy the spring sunshine and mild temperatures. A truckload of gently used furniture was removed for donation to The Salvation Army while new pieces of furniture were put in place. Even the windows in the cabins and dining hall received a good going over by the seemingly tireless K-Family members. "The whole effort was remarkably well-planned and coordinated," observed a grateful Tina LaRoche, Executive Director of Camp Holiday Trails. Brian Cofrancesco, lieutenant governor of the Presidential Division and president-elect of UVA CKI, was in charge of this 3-day project. UVA students were joined by students from James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Mary Baldwin College, including the Capital District CKI Governor, Sneha Bhat. Key Clubbers from Monticello High School and Albemarle High School, including the Lieutenant Governor of Key Club Division 5A, Christina Horton, enthusiastically pitched in. Kiwanis itself provided an interclub with four of its members, including current president Norm Gutzler, taking part in this outstanding example of intergenerational volunteering. Kiwanis has been an active supporter of Camp Holiday Trails for the entire 35 years of the camp's existence. Last summer, more than $8,000 was raised for CHT at the annual Kiwanis Independence Day 5K Race. "It is our privilege and honor to dedicate proceeds from the 25th annual race on July 4, 2008 to this unique organization so that kids can enjoy summer camp despite suffering from chronic illnesses," said Kiwanis President Norm Gutzler.

(Kiwanian Norm Gutzler and a few students in the K-family work hard to clean a stream bed at the Spring Service Retreat.)

Division Five PLG Don Jones Promotes Capital District Foundation

"Every member of the Capital District is a member of the Capital District Foundation," said Past Lieutenant Governor Don Jones of the Charlottesville Kiwanis Club, as he welcomed Kiwanis International President David Curry on his visit to Division Five hosted by the Staunton Club on Monday, January 28.  Don is the Division Five representative on the board of trustees of the Capital District Foundation, which was founded in 1972 specifically to give a boost to the signature Kiwanis Service Learning Programs and other outstanding projects assisting children and youth.  Supported programs include Youth Outreach, the Teenager of the Year Award, the Robert H. Turner, Jr. Scholarships, and grant assistance to seven Pediatric Trauma Units located in the Capital District.  The CDKF has contributed more than $89,000 over fifteen years to the University of Virginia Children's Hospital.  President Curry (pictured from left with Don Jones) explained that every year in return for the Capital District Foundation's support for the Kiwanis International Children's Fund, the Kiwanis International Foundation (KIF) honors one Capital District Key Clubber and one member of the Capital District CKI with scholarships of $1,000 each.  "We have seen it proven over the years that the smallest contribution to the Capital District Foundation has the potential to become the largest investment in the future of our children and youth," added PLG Jones.  Each Kiwanian is asked to contribute (through their individual clubs) one dollar in the fall of each year.  We are also urged to participate in the Ducky Derby and Caring Corner at District Conventions and other K-Family gatherings.  And there are several endowment programs that ensure the vitality of Kiwanis support for our children and youth in perpetuity.  Among these are the Life Member program, the Tablet of Honor, and the Roll of Honor Memorial.  There can be no greater honor than to be recognized for contributing to the success of the Capital District Foundation.

Western Albemarle High School Key Club has Busy Agenda

Key Club President Alexandra Triana and Faculty Advisor Caroline Bertrand welcomed Kiwanis Club liaison Jim Hart to a recent Key Club meeting at Western Albemarle High School near Crozet.  Plans are already being made for Western's attendance at this year's Capital District Key Club convention to be held at the Richmond Marriott on the weekend of April 18-20.  Last year, the WAHS Club was recognized as "The Best New Key Club" in the Capital District.  This year, the club has 54 members and is active in tutoring and mentoring the kids at Virginia L. Murray, Brownsville, and Greer Elementary Schools.  They also volunteer in the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter as well as in the Enrichment Program for children in the shelter and the transitional housing unit.   They are planning to take part in the K-Family Spring Service Retreat sponsored by UVA's CKI on the weekend of March 7-9 at Camp Holiday Trails.  The energetic board has formed committees to raise funds for two District-wide projects:  "Nothing but Nets", an anti-malaria campaign providing mosquito netting for families in Africa and "Operation G.I.", collecting and donating gifts for service men and women returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville is very proud of the accomplishments of this wonderful group of young leaders in service to the community.

Kiwanians Refurbish Offices for Piedmont CASA

A dozen Kiwanians and one AHS Key Clubber completed a painting blitz of the conference rooms and reception areas of Piedmont CASA, which is  located on the third floor of an historic building just off Court Square in downtown Charlottesville. "We chose the colors we did to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for staff, volunteers, and clients who use these spaces daily in their important work," said Ruth Stone CASA's executive director, whose husband, John, joined in the excitement. CASA is an organization that trains Court Appointed Special Advocates, who work one-on-one with abused and endangered children to assist the courts in determining the best environment to ensure each child's safety and well-being. "Volunteer court advocates may be the only voice that can truly speak for these children," explained Stone, "and the work Kiwanis did in transforming the feel of our offices was truly amazing." The project was organized by Work Night Chair Lynn Seuffert, who made sure the Kiwanians found the location, brought adequate supplies, and were fed properly after the work was completed. The next work night is scheduled for Monday night, February 25, and will take place at The Habitat Store on Harris Street. It will be another painting extravaganza and all Kiwanians and K-Family members are urged to volunteer.

Below is a letter of appreciation received after the PCASA Work Night.

Dear Lynn,

All of us at Piedmont CASA are so very pleased with the new colors on the walls of the office and so very grateful to Kiwanis for making this happen. Our hallway and conference room are truly transformed! After inhabiting this space for over eight years, we really feel this is a great improvement; when we come up the stairs first thing each morning we are struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere you created for us and we know that all of our visitors feel this way too. Moreover, the entire project proceeded smoothly and efficiently. We appreciate Kiwanis' thoroughness and attention to detail, from spackling the plaster walls, to sanding, to keeping an excellent line between the color and the white trim! This has been a tremendous gift to us. Thank you. All the best,

Phoebe Frosch

Development Director Piedmont CASA, Inc.

Professor Henry J. Abraham Speaks to Kiwanis Club

A special treat was in store for Kiwanians and their guests on the night of January 14 when Henry J. Abraham, the James Hart Professor of Government & Politics emeritus at UVA, addressed the club on the topic of his specialty, the history of Presidential appointments to the Supreme Court.   Professor Abraham dazzled the group with his mastery of detail on this subject, which he has made his life-long passion.  He has generally been acknowledged as the world's expert on this subject for nearly five decades.  Peyton Ledford had the honor of introducing "his professor" and explained that Professor Abraham continues to teach, write, participate in scholarly conferences, and attend Supreme Court sessions at the estimable age of 87.  Professor Abraham illustrated his analysis of Supreme Court appointments with numerous engaging stories and we hope that he might visit us again in the near future.