PRESIDENT BARB GRECO welcomed us all and thanked our greeter, AMY NEAL. STEVE SOELBERG saved the day and prayed for us and for good weather for the weekend Rock the Gap and the Family Festival. RUTH REUKAUF introduced our guests, former member Jon Ison and our speaker Carol Folsum-Hill.

STEVE EMHOFF announced that the funeral for PETE PETERSON will be June 14 at Wesley United Methodist Church. It will be a celebration of Pete's life and not a sad event. Our club is donating a flower arrangement for the service and a basket was passed around for donations to that purpose. If you would like to donate to help the cause, give VELMA a call.

And since we haven’t been able to talk, Secretary-Treasurer, VELMA CRAWFORD, into not resigning, all the future Presidents: RUSS DIX, LYNN SMITH AND STEVE PICKETT plus President Barb and Velma met on Friday and have come up with job descriptions for the office or offices of Secretary Treasurer. We are first hoping to find volunteers for the position or positions to take Velma’s place. It is estimated that between both jobs it takes 12-14 hours a week which includes attending our meetings, the Board meetings, the trust meetings, fielding phone calls and many, many other duties. The job descriptions will be posted here on the Bulletin. If you are interested or know of someone who would be, please contact one of the committee members.

Since the interclub to Kamiakin didn’t happen last week (they moved to an offsite place) an interclub is going to Kamiakin this week on Thursday at Lewis and Clark Middle School.

MARK HAMPTON, golf day chairperson, reminded us that Kiwanis Golf Day is June 24th at the Elks. Everyone should check their calendars and sign ups will be available next week. If you have any prizes to donate also contact Mark.

A Thank You Picnic will be hosted by AMY on July 12 for those that have donated $$ to Camp Fire or still want to donate to Camp Fire. It will be a potluck with fun to be had. More details later.

PRESIDENT BARB then presented Amy as director of Camp Fire with a check for $8,327.07 from the Kiwanis Trust. This is the portion of the trust that was set up by the Nichoson’s for camp scholarships and is donated to Camp Fire each year for this purpose. The cost of camp is $250 per week. Scholarships are usually for only a partial amount with the camper or family providing the remaining portion. This year there were more requests than money so if you would like to help a child go to Camp, give Amy a call.

JOHN WARREN then reminded us that Camp Roganunda Work Day is June 7. Breakfast, Lunch and many work projects will be provided!

SOS that is Save Old Spectacles (I think). STEVE EMHOFF asked that we bring our old glasses and donate them at the meeting. We are collecting to give those in need of glasses.

JOHN BENSON also wanted to remind us that Swim Meet is coming up and is probably the weekend of June 27, 28 and 29. He and co chair, CORKY MATTINGLY, will have more information later.

LINDA HACKETT, KIRSTEN STOFFER AND VENETTA MILLER reminded us that ROCK THE GAP is this weekend. Fellow member KEITH NELSON will be helping out with rounding out the KIWANIS CAFÉ menu with in addition to the planned Hot Dogs, there will be deli sandwiches, cheese and crackers fruit and other goodies to go with the beer, wine and Coke. Publicity has started on Clear Channel radio, TV and the Herald Republic. MORE VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED. Give Venetta, Kirsten or Linda a call. GET YOUR TICKET MONEY TO KIRSTEN!

New member, DAN EVANS, then called an almost great game of Bingo since I was almost close to winning but JACK GILBERT won the Big Bucks!

KIRSTEN STOFFER then introduced our program, Carol Folsum-Hill from Yakima Interfaith Coalition, La Casa Hogar. La Casa Hogar is a center for women and children where women can learn English, driving, computers, learning about leadership and being part of the community. It is sponsored by 25 – 30 faith community members and they work with churches to determine who needs funds and help from the churches. They give help with food, clothing, childcare, education and general support. There is presently 47 women enrolled to learn English from YVCC teachers and there are 80 women on a waiting list. They have an operating budget of $105,000 and it is provided by the faith community, United Way and other funds that are raised by the program. They recently received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for 8 computers. A community block grant added to this with administrative computers, furniture and an air conditioner. They partner with YVCC and give adult basic education in addition to ESL. The students are working on their GED’s. They are opening doors and providing entry level education. The Yakima School District is another partner that helps along with Sisters of Providence and many other community members. Camp Fire is currently doing a Mega Club once a week at La Casa Hogar and hopefully will be providing more sessions during the summer for the children that are there. They are currently looking for a volunteer to teach key boarding to the children.

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