Kiwanis gives over $89,000 to Sisters

In the past year, the Kiwanis Club of Sisters donated more than $41,000 to nonprofit organizations in the community. In addition, the club distributed approximately $48,000 worth of food to families in need.

At its annual installation dinner in September, Kiwanis released these figures in its annual report. Also, the club swore in new officers.

Outgoing president Jeff McDonald said the club raised money through fundraising events such as selling See’s candy during the holidays, the rodeo Buckaroo Breakfast, a golf tournament and Kiwanis Kitchen. Of the $40,500 Kiwanis donated, $15,000 went to the SOAR Little League Ball Field project. That is part of a five-year commitment to supporting the ball fields.

“One of the goals of Kiwanis is to help the community — especially kids,” said treasurer Jack McGilvary. He added all of the money raised through the club’s fundraisers goes to community groups such as Head Start and Healthy Beginnings. Members themselves donate toward administrative costs with fines during their weekly breakfasts.

Kiwanis members donated about 840 hours of labor to the Kiwanis Food Bank. The club distributed food to about 600 families in the Sisters area.

Incoming president Tay Robertson, who is the Fire Chief of Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District, pledged to increase club membership. The club has around 80 members now and Robertson would like to recruit more.

Robertson said he wants to keep the “positive energy flowing” in the club and is looking forward to increasing fundraising activities.

“We’re doing all the right things. We just want to do more,” said Robertson.