Snowflake project

“Snowflakes Street Light Bulb Replacement.” The “snowflake” holiday lights in downtown Ames will be “bright and shiny” as a result of a community service project by the Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club. Ten (10) club members volunteered their time to replace the ‘white light bulbs’ in many, many snowflakes that provide enjoyment for all Ames residents during the holiday season. So far, 3000 bulbs have been replaced. The club volunteers devoted a total of more than 60 hours to complete the project over 2 ½ days. Club members/spouses involved were Steve Johnson, Mark Lohafer, Kent Ziebell, Gary and Liz Erbes, Bob Sperry, Alan and Gina Spohnheimer, Vern Griemann, and Gary Meyer.

Credit: Larry Trede

Everyday Organization Hero Award

Everyday Organization Hero Award – Iowa Community Academy. The Nebraska-Iowa
Kiwanis District sponsors an annual award to recognize a community organization in the
district who has exemplified, in an unusual and/or exceptional way, service to kids. The
organization can be either a for-profit or nonprofit organization. The 2024 winner,
nominated by the Ames Golden K Kiwanis Club, was the Iowa Community Academy,
Ames.
The mission of the Academy is to connect kids in the Ames community through long-
term projects with their peers, mentors, and community leaders so that kids grow up
happy and healthy because they become an integral part of the community.
The Academy’s 2024 Summer Program was highlighted as an example of program that
fulfills its mission and met the criteria established for the district’s award. The summer
program was divided into three sessions: Nature and Place, Food and Place, and
Community in Place. Each session included activities like community projects in each
of the three areas, skill building, and interacting with nature.
Jeff Witt, GK President-Elect presented the award to Heather Fischer, Development
Director representing the Academy For more information abut the Iowa Community
Academy, visit their website: www.thecommunityacademy.org. For more information
about Ames Golden K Kiwanis club, visit their website: www.amesgoldenk.org.

Fall “Adopt-A-Road” Cleanup Project

Ames GK “Adopt-A-Road” Clean-up Project. This program is part of the “Adopt-A-
Road” program of the Story County Road Maintenance Department. Individuals, clubs,
and organizaions provide the labor to clean-up a 2- mile segment of Story County
Roads.
The club is responsible for a 2-mile sigment along East 13 th St. (220 th ave.) adjacent to
the Holub Greenhouses. The “fall” clean-up was held on October 3 rd . Some of the
more “unusal” items unceovered were a pair of pickup tires, two pieces of plastic under
an engine moulding, many empty 12-pack beer cans, and other “junk items” dumped by
“:passer-bys.”
The project was competed by nine club members in one-hoiur. In-addition to helping
“keep the envioronment clean.” the members enjoyed some comradiere, laughter, and
fun in completeing this club service project. Members partiipating (l. to r.) were J.
Theilen, G. Meyer, D. Wilson, D. Senne, M. Lohafer, G. Erbes, M. Wheelock, J. Witt,
and B. Sperry. Fort more information about Ames GK, visit our website
www.amesgoldenk.org.

GK Listeners Program, 2022

Like other Kiwanis clubs, Ames Golden K’s primary focus is service to children. In Winter 2014, Golden K leadership began considering a more direct outreach to students in Ames and proposed a new reading service project for elementary school students. In Spring 2015, Golden K contacted the Ames Community School District, Director of Raising Readers of Story County and other local educators to explore ideas. Dave Peterson, Edwards Elementary Principal, and Golden K leaders agreed to pilot a reading project with Edwards First Graders in September 2015. After 2 successful years working with Edwards First Graders and Kindergartners, the program expanded to Sawyer Elementary in 2017.  The project has continued at both schools except for a break in 2020 due to Covid.  All requirements {orientation, background checks, photo nametags, close interaction with classroom teachers} by Ames Community School District for participation in the Listeners program have been met each year.  There are currently 30 Ames GK members who help make this project successful.

In recognition of this partnership, three Edwards Elementary teachers {L to R, Brooke Dalen, Amy Simonson, Selena Montag} spoke recently at Golden K’s weekly meeting.

They enthusiastically endorsed and elaborated on the many benefits of the GK Listeners project, and how it plays a direct role in building positive relationships with First Graders while working on literary skills through reading books and playing games. A typical day includes GK Listeners spending 60-90 minutes primarily listening to the students read and not reading to them. They work on a 1-1 basis as much as possible either outside the classroom in the large hallway or in the classroom.  Brooke, Amy and Selena noted that Kids and Teachers simply adore the Listeners program.  Another Edwards teacher observed “It’s been a really good program. Honestly, I think there is a lot of academic gain that comes along with it, but , really, I think a lot of our kids just want someone, especially males because a lot of our kids don’t have a strong male role model in their life, so even just the mentoring that happens is really huge for them.” Golden K member Pete Peterson commented “As a Listener, I could tell that the 1^st Graders word pronunciation rhythm and expressiveness showed improvement as the school year went by. We gave the students an opportunity to practice reading out loud to a willing set of ears. It was fun for both the students and myself.” 

Ames Golden K is looking forward to continuing its partnership with Ames Edwards and Sawyer Elementary Schools, and perhaps expanding the program to other grade levels within these schools.      

Working at ISU Dining

To help fund our Charity Donation Program, 28 Ames Golden K Kiwanis volunteers have assisted the Iowa State University “Conversations” Dining Hall staff in preparing and serving mid-day meals to the hundreds of students who occupy the Maple, Willow, Larch dormitory complex. By late October, Golden K members had worked nearly 600 hours and earned $7,000 dollars for the Charity Donation fund.  Pictured are 19 Golden K volunteers clad in their ISU Dining attire.

Judy and AGK Team Leader Tom Peter together  worked over 120 hours, helping at the Salad Bar.

Alan Sponheimer, who has worked nearly 50 hours, cleaning and sanitizing dining tables.

L to R, Roman Lynch, Mark Lohafer, Dennis Senne helping prepare desserts.

And lastly, AGK President Tom Baas, preparing dining trays.

Roadside Cleanup May, 2021

Fifteen members of Ames Golden K recently performed Spring litter cleanup on their Iowa Adopt-A-Road two-mile segment of E. 13th Street/220th Street. Golden K has performed Spring and Fall cleanup on this stretch of road every year since 2002.  Pictured from the left, Team Organizer Dennis Senne, Wayne Hagemoser, Kent Ziebell, Norm Scott, Pete Peterson, Fred Lorenz, Dick Wilson, Bob Sperry,  Team Advisor Gene Pollmann, Team Organizer Mark Lohafer, Tom Baas, Jim Theilen, and Don Muff.  Not pictured: Tom Peter and Steve Johnson.