| Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. |
NEWSLETTER Cedar Rapids Downtown Kiwanis Club Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 The meeting was called to order by President Chuck Wehage. 27 Members in attendance. Guests: None Birthdays: Glen Fox 8/3; John Schweitzer and Jeff Hollingsworth 8/4 Anniversaries: Kevin McCarville 8/5 and John Locher 8/7 Announcements: John Locher had two volunteer opportunity announcements: 1) filling backpacks for Families Helping Families Thursday, August 2 beginning at Happy Bucks: John Anderson – for John Waggoner’s spirit living on; John Schweitzer – 70th birthday has been a breeze; Keith Sutherland – niece and husband ______ (can you tell I forgot why Keith is happy?); Bob Hatala – another for John Waggoner; Dan Breitbach Boardman – 3 bucks: one for this week, one for the Club being very happy that he will be gone next week, and the 3rd for the Club being ecstatic that he will be gone the following week as well; Dick Boardman – happy that son is leaving for two weeks. Next week’s program: Speaker: Rod Thorpe introduced Angela Berns, the Director of Volunteer Services at St. Lukes. Angela was formerly the director of RSVP. Angela gave a great presentation on W.R.A.P., Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program. The program actually began in 2005 when a group of concerned individuals, including a number of Rockwell engineers. At the time there was no one organization that a person needing ramp accessibility to their home could contact. WRAP was formed with the mission to provide flexible and affordable home access on a timely basis those in need. Since its beginning over 20 agencies/organizations have partnered with WRAP. There are several committees that implement the organization’s work including marketing (Rod – chair), risk assessment and control (John Anderson – chair), intake (Keith Sutherland - chair), design and financial management. WRAP is in the process of developing a comprehensive vision to create a model for other communities. The demand for ramp accessibility currently exceeds the funding available. Costs to install a ramp are unique to each location and consequently vary greatly. Some people are capable of funding the project themselves but many are not. This might be something our Club would be interested in funding as well as volunteering to help build. WRAP is seeking volunteers and organizations to join in its efforts. Submitted: Dan Breitbach |