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Kiwanis Club of the Ozarks forming
By CINDY THOMAS, Staff Writer
Anyone wanting to help make a difference for kids in Taney and Stone County is encouraged to consider joining the newly formed Kiwanis Club of the Ozarks. The Club is an affiliate of Kiwanis International, a worldwide service organization focusing on meeting needs of children and helping them develop confidence and skills for leadership.
The new Club seeks to rekindle the momentum started by a former Branson area club but lost when activities, volunteer opportunities, and membership dwindled due to COVID-19 restrictions. To help determine how best to regroup, Missouri/ Arkansas Kiwanis governor Carla O’Brien assembled a team of Kiwanis members from around the Ozarks and as far away as Indiana and Michigan. According to Paul Sherman of the Springfield South Kiwanis, one of the team captains, the group has identified several issues and needs affecting children in the area and is reaching out to business and professional people, school district leadership, and interested individuals, including those newly relocated or retired to the lake area, to get involved.
Those issues include housing and transportation, particularly among children of seasonal employees who live in extended-stay motels. Conversation is underway with the Branson school district to establish Key Club, an opportunity for high school students to develop leadership skills and contribute ideas, as well as K Kids for elementary students to have fun and begin building confidence. Kiwanis International also partners with Boys & Girls Clubs and has received valuable input from local clubs, including the need for volunteers to assist with a greenhouse and food growing program at the Forsyth club.
As Kiwanis Club of the Ozarks develops, it will continue to receive coaching from its sponsoring Club, Kiwanis Club of Christian County led by Shane Strahl and Joe Garr; but the new Club is well underway with membership currently at 30 and growing, serving the Branson, Hollister, Forsyth, Branson West, Kimberling City and Reeds Spring communities. Club President is Robin Asher, Kimberling City area resident and online college instructor for the University of Phoenix, who also serves as treasurer for the Missouri/Arkansas District of Kiwanis.
The Club’s next meeting is scheduled for July 12 at 5:30 pm at 3245 Falls Parkway in Branson. Those interested in joining or wanting more information should plan to attend or contact Robin Asher at 417-838-1787. A special meeting celebrating the new Club charter is planned for August 12, at 5:30-8 pm. The location is still being decided but will be announced soon.
Also, plan to attend a fundraiser sponsored by Pizza Ranch benefitting the Kiwanis Club of the Ozarks, to help sponsor area youth service leadership programs to be established by the club in the Branson area. The fundraiser will be held Monday, August 1, from 4-8 p.m. So come out and eat and support helping area kids.