This week we received a warm greeting from Barbara Hinze and Sue Kiser. Thank you, Ladies, for this wonderful welcome.  Wes D’Aponti started our meeting and asked Rich Emerson to lead us in our song “Deck the Halls”.  Jeannie played beautifully as Rich led the crowd of Kiwanians that had congregated this fine Thursday.  Orville Petersen delivered our invocation.  Wes announced that the business of our future meetings will start at 12:20.  This will give us time for fellowship, starting at noon, and to cover all of the items on the agenda.   

Wes introduced his guests, Alfred Parker from the Salvation Army and Emily Anderson from the Free Press.  Bill Byers brought Ken Henry, who serves on the Fruita City Council and has a list of many other interests too long to include in our newsletter.  Peggy Page brought her dad, Mancel Page. 

Gordon Harbert delivered our defining statement and received a big round of applause for his execution.  Wes announced the birthdays of Marilee Langfitt-Wood, Fred Nichols and Kathy Skiera. 

Larry Beckner was up next and spoke about our bell ringing for the Salvation Army this Saturday, December 2^nd.  The sign up sheets were in the room and Larry said that there were still nine locations that needed to be filled.  We will pick up our bells and aprons at the Salvation Army office and then go to our assigned location to ring for two hours.  After we are finished, we will empty our buckets of the money collected and deliver this back to the Salvation Army office.  Major Alfred Parker gave his thanks, on behalf of the Salvation Army, for our help in raising money through the Bell Ringing Campaign. 

Larry then started a major fund raiser for the Salvation Army at our lunch.  He introduced Vikki Bell as the cheerleader and then the “Grinch” entered the room to start collecting money. I learned later that this was Greg Schaefer.  The number of arms that went up, with checks in their hands, was amazing.  In a short few minutes we had collected $10,000.00!!!  Thank you all for your generosity. 

The fund raising between the Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club will decide who serves lunch to whom.  The club that raises the most money for the Salvation Army will have their lunch served to them by the Board members of the club that comes in second.   

Wes D’Aponti announced that the Board has approved Jim Corley and Tammie Rupe as new members and they will be inducted into our club on December 14^th.  

Sandy Barger spoke about the Winter Party on Friday, December 15^th at the Spruce Lodge on the Grand Mesa.  There will be a bus to transport those individuals that would like to use it.  The bus will leave at 5pm (location unknown at this time) and will return to the Grand Valley at 9:30pm. If you would like to use the bus, please sign up by this Friday.    

The Golden K Christmas Party is Tuesday, December 19^th at the Pinion Restaurant at Tiara Rado Golf Course. The social hour will start at 6pm and dinner at 6:45.  Their auction will follow after dinner. The cost of the dinner is $22.50 with a cash bar.  The dress code is suit and tie for the gentlemen and dresses or dressy pant suits for the ladies. 

Kristin Winn thanked all of the volunteers that helped with the Habitat for Humanity Work Day.  Those volunteers were Ben Watkins, Mike Moran, Sally Ryan, Lynn Soryle, Wes D’Aponti and Mailyn D’Aponti. 

Bev Dwire from the St Mary’s Senior Companion Program was our speaker on Thursday. This program is a group of volunteers that serve elderly men and women.  These volunteers make it possible for senior citizens to remain in their own homes by providing assistance with transportation and companionship.  They also provide support and relief to family members caring for their elderly loved ones. 

Sally Ryan is looking for help in transporting Bruce Issacson to Kiwanis Club on December 20^th, December 27^th, January 3^rd and January 10^th.  Please contact Bruce or Sally if you can help. 

Our meeting closed with Larry Beckner delivering The Thought for the Day and we were adjourned by Wes at 1:15. 

Until next week… Roxie Denning, Bulletin Editor