Date of Meeting: February 20, 2024

Venue: Cactus Jack's Grill & Watering Hole

Attendance: 14 in attendance: 10 members and 4 guests

MEMBERS AND GUESTS:

Kiwanis Members:
Betty Ballantyne
Zach Dea
Bill Gile
John Intorcio
Steve Loughlin
Don Nelson
Tara Shore
Keith Styles
Abby Teichert
Bob Willey

Guests:
Joanne Haight – guest speaker - Director of Membership & Community Engagement – Lakes Region Chamber
Shawn Intorcio – wife of John Intorcio
Sue Nelson – Honorary Member and wife of Don Nelson
Jilli Paul – LHS Key Club Advisor

Joanne Haight		Shawn Intorcio		Sue Nelson		Jilli Paul
Above photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

President Betty Ballantyne opened the meeting by thanking all in attendance and introducing our guests. This was followed by:
Invocation: by Bill Gile
Pledge of Allegiance: by All
Song: My Country Tis of Thee led by Don Nelson

THE PLEDGE

Above photo by W. Stephen Loughlin

LACONIA KIWANIS CLUB MAKES DONATION:

Based upon a motion by Betty Ballantyne, which was unanimously approved by the members at the meeting, the Laconia Kiwanis Club participated in the 2nd Annual, Kiwanis Day of Giving held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. This worldwide event aimed to raise $75,000 to support 30,000 children, providing them with opportunities to thrive, learn, and grow.

Our Laconia Kiwanis Club members responded with immense generosity, choosing to direct their donations towards this noble cause instead of our usual "happy dollars" and food pantry contributions. Through our collective efforts, we raised $150 amongst our members. Additionally, our club's charity account generously matched this amount, bringing our total donation to $300.

We are proud to report that the entire Kiwanis Day of Giving received a remarkable total of $130,000, enabling 57,000 children to benefit from our collective support. We all exceeded our goal of donating $75,000 to help 30,0000 children. The achievement reflects the dedication and compassion of our members towards making a positive impact in our community and beyond.

HOOP SHOOT:

Betty Ballantyne and Keith Styles are co-chairing the 2nd annual Kiwanis Free Throw Competition, which will be held at the Laconia Middle School located at 150 McGrath Street. Registration is at 8:30 am, Warm Ups start at 8:45 am. The competition, which will begin at 9:00 am, is expected to end at 12:30 pm. Details of the event, including the names our fine sponsors, are listed in the poster below:

To view a large version of this poster, "click" on the above picture.

Last year, we had 52 boys and girls participate in the competition. This year, we are planning for more. To make this happen, we need the help of Kiwanis members as well other volunteers. This includes set up, assisting with registration, the raffle ticket table, and helping orchestrate the free throw contest. To volunteer your assistance, please enter your name in the SignUpGenius by “clicking” here.

KEY CLUB REPORT:

Jilli Paul, LHS Key Club Advisor reported that the Key Club just completed a successful fund raiser selling flowers for Valentine’s Day and candy as well. The kids put the items together and then delivered them during their study block on Valentine’s Day. They were able to raise around $200 which they donated to Laconia. Jilli noted that Key Club members came up with the idea and then went out to get donations. They were able to get gift cards from Hannaford and Shaw’s, which covered the cost of the roses and then they bought the candy.

The next project which the Key Club is planning is a shoe, sneaker and boot drive to raise monies. They expect the event to take place for 6-8 weeks and intend to name it "Spring Clean Your Closets." They will earn the money based on the weight of the shoe collection. The clubbers will need help from Kiwanis to place and collect boxes at various locations such as Fit Focus, The Swim Club, Planet Fitness, Day cares, shoe stores, used clothing stores. The Key Club members will handle the high school and middle school. The money earned will be donated to Camp Sunshine located in Maine.

Jilli also reported that the Key Club received a thank you from the Salvation Army for their shift in ringing the bell in downtown Laconia (this past December) for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. The Red Kettle Campaign helps raise money for those who need it most in the community providing toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs. During December, 13 groups and other volunteers rang the rang the bell in downtown Laconia and approximately $33,000 was collected. Jilli reported the Key Club raised the largest amount during their shift bringing in $2,028. (Editor’s Note: The Belknap County Sheriff’s Department finished in second place collecting over $1,600. The Laconia Kiwanis Club came in third place with a total of $1,493 and the Laconia Rotary finished in fourth place collecting $1,300.)

KIWANIS NEW ENGLAND & BERMUDA DISTRICT AND DIVISION UPDATE:

Bob Willey reported:
• The Laconia Kiwanis Club is now part of Division 4 of the New England & Bermuda District. Division 4 now encompasses most of New Hampshire.
• A Mid-Winter NE/Bermuda Conference is scheduled for March 8th, 9th, and 10th in Sturbridge, MA.
Betty Ballantyne then noted that she plans to attend the Conference on March 9th.

DONATION FROM THE SALEM KIWANIS CLUB:

Tara Shore reported that she, Betty Ballantyne, and Bob Willey were pleased to participate in an inter-club meeting with the Salem Kiwanis Club on February 12th. At that time, members of the Salem Kiwanis Club presented our club with a generous $1,000 donation which will be used for our fund raising events, Bike 'n' Board Safety Day and Friends of Kiwanis Meet & Greet.

Members of the Laconia Kiwanis Club receive a generous gift from the Salem Kiwanis Club. Pictured L to R: John Ganley (Salem Secretary), Jody Ronayne (Salem President), Betty Ballantyne (Laconia President), Tara Shore (Laconia Board Member), Bob Willey (Past Lt. Governor), Jennifer Cook (Salem President Elect), and Peggy Tripp (Salem Treasurer)

Above photo courtesy of the Salem Kiwanis Club

THE EYES HAVE IT
with Tara Shore
TWO EYES		FOUR EYES		SIX EYES
Above photos by W. Stephen Loughlin

GUEST SPEAKER:

Betty Ballantyne introduced our guest speaker, Joanne Haight.

Joanne lives at the base of the Ossipee Mountains in Sandwich on land she and her husband cleared to make their home. Originally from Brockton, Massachusetts, Joanne moved to southern New Hampshire in 1990 and in 1998 the Lakes Region became home. In early 2016, she was hired as the Membership Manager of the Lakes Region Chamber.

Growing business relationships and developing community connections is her primary role with the Chamber. Today that role has evolved into the Director of Membership & Community Engagement as the Chamber membership has grown to well over 500 members covering 30+ communities. She often says that she has the very best job in the Lakes Region!

During her presentation, Joanne summarized her job and that of the Chamber as “a broker of information.”

Joanne Haight and Betty Ballantye enjoy a moment at the conclusion of the presentation.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.

The Kiwanis Club recently received thank you notes from Laconia and The Salvation Army.
To read each thank you note, "click" on the respective picture below.
c
		The Salvation Army

KIWANIS K.A.R.E.S
During the month of February, the Laconia Kiwanis Club completed K.A.R.E.S. sessions with Elm Street Elementary School and Pleasant Street Elementary School. Below are some details.
On February 13th, our Laconia Kiwanis KARES initiative brought joy and literacy to Elm Street Elementary School! Two third-grade classes were buzzing with excitement as our Kiwanis volunteers spent an hour engaging with the students. The event was filled with storytelling, laughter, and delicious snacks, creating a nurturing environment where young minds could thrive. Volunteers included Kiwanians: Betty Ballantyne, John Intorcio, and Keith Styles and Muff Walker, Friend of Kiwanis & former Kiwanian.
The Kiwanis K.A.R.E.S banner outside Elm Street School
The Kiwanis K.A.R.E.S participants
Keith Styles KARES.		John Intorcio shares an illustration.
Muff Walker interacts with the students.
Above photos by Betty Ballantyne
On February 24th we had a KARES event with the third-grade students from Pleasant Street Elementary School. The program provided students with the opportunity to choose books to take home. Additionally, providing snacks, drinks and a fun project (like building snowmen on sleds) surely made the event even more enjoyable for everyone involved. Volunteers included Betty Ballantyne, Bill Gile, Luann Mussari, Tara Shore and Muff Walker.
Pleasant Street School 3rd grade
Betty Ballantyne (rear left) assists the students		Tara Shore is captivated by the illustration.
Re: logo
Happy Students
Above photos by Kathleen Grenier, PSS Librarian & Media Specialist

THANK YOU
Many thanks to Joe Adrignola, Betty Ballantyne, Phil Bonafide, Bill Gile, and Bob Willey for their assistance with this bulletin.

Tuesday - March 5th : Venue: ZOOM MEETING
6:00 pm - Board of Directors Meeting

Saturday - March 16th : Venue: Laconia Middle School
Time: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm - 2nd Annual Kiwanis Hoop Shoot

Tuesday - March 19th : Venue: Laconia Police Department – Community Room
6:00 pm - Regular Monthly Meeting: - Program by Carrie Chandler who will discuss the 2024 Multicultural Festival and the Kiwanis Kids Kraft Korner.

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