Kiwanis present awards, name officers

The Sisters Kiwanis Club held its annual installation of officers event at the Crescent Moon Alpaca Ranch in Terrebonne on September 24. Incoming president Jeff Omodt took the reins over from Kerry Bott and leads the club effective October 1.

"I am excited to take the lead of this extraordinary organization," Omodt said. "When I joined Kiwanis, I was so delighted to see how much of our club's efforts went into our own community. What I didn't expect was to have so much fun doing it."

Visitors at the alpaca ranch were treated to an unexpected treat during the installation event. Everyone got to witness a new baby alpaca being born. Debbie Miller, ranch manager, told the spellbound audience that the new baby alpaca, called a cria, was one of many born at the ranch this year.

Several Kiwanians were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the community this year. These included Dave Huni for club PR, communications and website, and Naomi and Don Rowe for tireless hours of work at the food bank. Jan Failing was noted for club administration excellence and new member support. New member Diane Daviscourt was cited for humanitarian and spiritual values efforts. Pat Woollard was thanked for her two years of coordinating the club's visits to other Kiwanis clubs throughout Central Oregon

Incoming officers include: Dave Huni, vice president, Jan Failing, (returning) secretary, and Jack McGilvary, (returning) treasurer. New board members include Gary Kutz, Chuck Kuzminski, Jeanne Nolander and Tom Kopec.

Leaving their board positions after exemplary service are Patricia Woollard, Tay Robertson, Dr. May Fan and Dave Huni.

While Kiwanis is a worldwide organization with over 600,000 members, the 68 members of the Sisters club take pride in a very real impact on the local community. The club runs the food bank and has a massive food share event during the Christmas holidays. It supports fellow Sisters residents when emergency needs arise. It offers scholarships to many graduating seniors, and awards grants to dozens of organizations that have significant impacts on the well-being of children and families.

The club also gives "opportunity grants" to many deserving adults in the community to help them better their position in life. Other service projects include: cleaning Sisters' highways, reading to children, improving our city's parks, sponsoring our scout troops, manning Red Cross blood drives, collecting eye glasses and cell phones, arranging community presentations, maintaining an entrance sign to our city, teaching kids poison awareness and helping screen children for health problems.

For more information visit www.SistersKiwanis.Org. Prospective members and guests are invited to attend a meeting at Aspen Lakes Lodge at 7 a.m. any Thursday. Contact the club at [email protected]