President Mark Relph conducted the meeting. The song of the day was God Bless America. The prayer was brought by Terry Wakefield. Guests other than those here because of the grants were as follows: Mark Relph had his wife Judy as his guest. Tom Sheldon introduced Nate Walker. Tom LaCroix brought Amy Hand as his guest. Tom said she was a member of a Kiwanis club at her previous location. Chris Gumone introduced Bryan Wood. Bryan is the manager of the West Walmart. Randy Kirschbaum had Ken Richards with him. Welcome to all the guests and prospective members.

President Mark called Ron Sherman for stealing the bell. However the bell he stole was Rotary’s bell so Mark said he really did not care.

The corporate sponsors of Pancake day were recognized. A special thanks was given to Bob Colony for heading up that committee and to the members of the club who gave as corporate sponsors. We had more sponsors than previously. The two Walmart’s were thanked for contributing $1000.00 each. Grand Junction Free Press gave $750.00 and Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates PC also contributed $750. There were some 8 $500.00 sponsors and some 57 $250.00 sponsors not to mention all the money raised by individual ticket sales. We gave away $25,000.00 today. We also have given $8500 to Camp Kiwanis.

Those receiving grants today were the following:

CASA of Mesa County – $850; Boy Scouts of America Western CO counsel – $1500; Catholic Outreach – $1500; Community Food Bank – $1000; Desert Edge Therapy, Inc – $950; Early Childhood Connections of Mesa County – $1000; Girl Scouts of Chipeta Counsel – $1500; Girls on the Run – $1000; Go-el – $1500; Hilltop Comm. Resources Early Childhood – $2000; Marillac Clinic – $1500; Hospice and Pallative Care – $1000; Kids Voting Colorado/ Mesa County – $1200;

Mesa Developmental Services – $2500; Mesa Youth Services (partners) – $1500; MC RSVP – $1500; Strong Families, Safe Kids – $1000; Western Colorado Math & Science Center – $1000 and Western Slope Center for Children – $1000.

All those receiving grants were represented by one or more of their members.

The committee to choose the recipients of the grants was headed up by Terry Wakefield. Others serving on the committee were Pete Baier, Mailyn D’Aponti, Stacy Mascarenas, Fred Nichols, Roxie Denning and Amy Dyer. Thanks for taking on this task.

We will see you all next week.