Presidential Thoughts
Denny Nelson

Happy Holidays!! 

As we enter into December, the temperature is dropping but the Kiwanis season is heating up!  This month our weekly programs will be the Duluth high schools singing groups.  We lead off with Central's Little Mob this Wednesday.   Please make a point to attend the lunches this month; it will be worth the trip!   Not only that, we are trying something new this year.  We will be hosting a children's Christmas party at the office.  It will provide a quieter, more laid back area for the kids and I hear Mr. C will be making a special appearance...

I would like to again thank George Lah and his team of food drive participants.  We had an outstanding year for the food drive.  Many local agencies received a much-needed boost during the holiday season.  THANK YOU!!!

It’s never too early to think auction!  As you are out completing your holiday shopping, please think of the stores and businesses you are visiting and see if they are interested in donating to the Kiwanis TV Auction.  This year will be our 40th Annual!!   Jason, JC, and the Auction Committee are hard at work already as they prepare for this years big event.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Denny

The holidays will be more enjoyable for many northland residents thanks to the generosity and hard work of the Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth and Rotary Club #25. This is the 15^th year of our joint effort to help a number of agencies that provide support to local residents in need of assistance. In the grand scheme of things, it would be wonderful if the economy was so robust that the need for such a drive was eliminated. But until it is we will continue to do our part in helping out with this need.

Some special thanks go out to Arvid Nelson of MACV and Doug Hoffbauer of NERC for their work on the produce deliveries, Also to Steve Schenberger and Jackson Farms regarding the potatoes and Larry Rudd of Cub Foods and Rob Swor on the non-perishable deliveries. But most of all, THANK YOU to each and everyone of you who opened up your hearts and your checkbooks to give us the resources to accomplish what we have over 15 years. May this joyous time of year bring you many blessings.

1993                             922 lb.                          $562.00
1994                             4319 lb.                        $1410.00
1995                             15039 lb.                      $1465.00
1996                             31470.0 lb.                   $3815.00
1997                             76764 lb.                      $4810.00
1998                             69855.5 lb.                   $5443.66
1999                             25151.1 lb.                   $1149.00
2000                             24000 lb.                      $500.00
2001                             32500 lb.                      $1500.00
2002                             31615 lb.                      $422.32
2003                             50189 lb                       $350.00
2004                             59895 lb.                      $1503.00
2005                             51813.5 lb.                   $300.00
2006                             60044 lb.                      $450.00
2007                             60715 lb.                      $475.00

15 Year Total                594291.5 lb.                 $24154.00

George A. Lah    

Jason Malmstrom's
Auction Update!

We are reving up for the Auction Kick-Off in January!

There will be a few changes this year,
none are too painful though.

Each Kiwanian will be given a packet which will include a standard approach for getting the contracts.
The Regular contracts will have a minimum donation of $250.

We are looking for some good men and women to head up the
Auction Committees this year.
There will be a Committee for Major Contracts, and one for Regular Contracts.
Do you think you would be interested in either of these?

We are also looking for 3 - 4 members to be on the
40th Anniversary Special Committee.
This would be going out and getting certificates from local restaurants to make up a 40th Anniversary Basket. (This is a take off from the 90th Anniversary Basket)
There is not a base amount to the certificates, WE just need a lot of them.

Our $100 sponsor spots are going up to $125 this year, and we are hoping to
double the amount we got from last year. This is a GREAT ad opportunity for
businesses.

The Auction is our biggest fundraiser of our program, and we need your help.

This is a really fun event, so plan on participating.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing
This year we are scheduled for Friday December 14th
at the Younker's Main Entrance. (This is really right in front of the Great American Grille) 2-8pm.

We are also scheduled for Saturday December 15th at Shopko
(this is an outside site, so dress warmly) 2-8pm.

There are still times available so come to Wednesdays Meeting,
sign up, or just give me a call, and I can put you down.

Tricia

Inflation Affects Kiwanis Too!

Due to the rising administrative costs (rent, postage, office supplies,
etc.) and meal costs, we are raising our Quarterly Dues and Meal Charges.
The Quarterly Dues will go from $31 to $35 and the Meal Charges will go
from $10 to 10.50 per meal or $140 per quarter. The Quarterly Meal Charges
are assessed to Regular Members only.

News Items Plug

We are striving to make the club a great opportunity for it's members to be
involved in their community, and established relationships within our
business community. We would great appreciated your feedback and shared
experiences in the club. The Newsletter is a GREAT opportunity for you as
members to share news items of interest, professional achievements,
employment opportunities for Kiwanians, and families, Pictures of special
moments, anything you can think of. Carol is willing and waiting for your
submissions. Just email carol@lilybythelake.com.

The Key Club fasted on Friday and then worked at the Union Gospel
MIssion on Saturday for about two hours. The money that they raised
wile fasting is going to the MIssion to help their cause.

A number of other projects are in the works, including Holiday Bell
Ringing and an alternative plan for the delayed Camp In The Box.

Jason

NEWS Items of Interest:

Do you have things in your garage or attic that you would like to sell?  Well, we would like to offer members of our club the opportunity to do this within our club. 

There could be a “Classified” Section added to the Newsletter each month.  Let us know what you think.

Do you have funny, interesting story or picture you would like to share?  This could be added to the newsletter too.  We need your feedback.

KIWANIS CLUB OF FRIENDLY DULUTH
ANNUAL CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20th
5:30 - 7:30 PM   -    AT THE KIWANIS OFFICE 407 West Superior Street

This year we are doing our party a little different.  Instead of having it the Wednesday after Christmas, we are having it the week before, in the evening, and with Santa.

We are also having it at our Kiwanis office, and with a special “kids meal”  provided.

• Members will get credit for attendance if you come to the party
• Members need to sign up early, with the number of children they are bringing.  They will be charged for a kid’s meal and a “guest meal”  on their next quarterly billing statement.
• Members will purchase the gifts for the children they are bringing, keeping the cost to approximately $10, and bringing the gifts to the office or on a Wednesday meeting by December 19^th  (Tricia will wrap presents and get them to Santa)
• Children are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a local organization. 

If you have any questions, please call Tricia and she will be glad to help you.  Merry Christmas!