September 23, 2008

President: Sally Schrik-Ehrlich Secretary: Paul Ehrlich Treasurer: Gary Boehle

262-284-2590 262-284-2590 262-284-6677

perhlichsrschirk@aol.com perhlichsrschirk@aol.com garysautosolutions@sbcglobal.net

Foundation President: Jim Olson Foundation Secretary: Foundation Treasurer: Lowell Tainter`

262-268-0754 262-284-4277

DREAMS DO COME TRUE

Mardy McGarry early childhood and LD teacher at Lincoln Elementary school in Port Washington had her dream come true. A playground for children of all abilities.

Mardy is first a teacher and second a Kiwanian. She knows the challenges and frustrations her young charges face. She also knows that the service emphases of Kiwanis is children.

The availability of the coal dock property prompted Mardy to propose to Kiwanis an all accessible playground be built on it. The club became enthusiastic about it and formed a committee to study the feasibility.

It soon became apparent that the project was much bigger than the club could handle. Mardy enlisted the help of her friend Sue Mayer. Sue knows first hand the need because she has a son Sam, who has Downs Syndrome. Mardy and Sue soon formed a team looked at playgrounds and interviewed builders.

The club allocated $5000 to hire a designer. Leathers & Associates of New York was hired because of their expertise in involving the whole community. They included the children in their design planning. The coordination team was not put off by the $450’000 price tag. Leathers with over 2000 community built playgrounds to their credit assured them it could be done.

Fund raisers were held, the children painted castles to put in stores for donations. Service clubs in the schools held fund raisers. Sponsorship of various items in the playground were sold. Pickets and bricks were sold allowing individuals to show their support.

Continued

John Sigwart, a Kiwanian, who works for the civil engineering firm of Start With Miller coordinated site preparation prior to build week.

The six day build began, in the mud, with placing heavy plastic posts in the holes. By the 6^th day, Sunday evening, over 2800 volunteers had worked on the build. Not only did they come from Port Washington and Ozaukee County, people came from Milwaukee, West Bend, Greenbay and many other cities. Businesses and church groups formed teams for the build. Some came for a 4 hour shift and stayed the day and came back again and again because they enjoyed the experience. People with little or no experience did things they never would have tried. With the guidance of the 17 team captains people did amazing things.

The Kiwanis club spent their meeting evening working at the build. Shown are members Lowel Tainter, Paul Ehrlich, Gary and Carol Boehle. Weldon and Louise Reed were there every day for 8 hours dispensing tools. Elmer Adam was there every day registering volunteers. Jerry Wiskow a build captain was there 14hrs a day.

Many other club members were there several times through out the build. Not counting Mardys or Johns hours the club put in 445 hours during the 6 days.

The build ended Sunday evening with very few things to finish up. Leathers said this was the smallest punch list ever. The concrete base was professionally poured the Friday after the build.

After the concrete has cured a 3 inch thick rubber surface will be poured.

Grand opening will be October 11^th at 11:00am.

See you there.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

9/30/2008 Changing of the Guard

10/7/2008 Rev. Jeff Suddendorf “Trip to Africa”

10/14/2008 President Karen Oleski “Visions of the year to come”

10/21/2008

10/28/2008 PWHS Activities Director

REMINDER TO EVERYONE: Submit your program early and get it in the news letter

UP COMING EVENTS:

10/11/2008 Board meeting at the Rusty Anchor

11/1/2008 Peanut day

THE GIFT OF LIFE, BLOOD

Laura Schuetzler from the Blood Center of Wisconsin appealed to the club to become blood donors. BLW collets tests and distributes blood products throughout southern Wisconsin.

BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to 54 hospitals in Wisconsin. These products include whole blood, packed red cells, platelet products, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, and a number of various blood derivatives including clotting factor concentrates.

After your blood is collected, it is sent to BloodCenter of Wisconsin's labs for testing. It is required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that all blood undergo a series of lab tests before it is given to patients. We perform 14 separate tests on blood. These include tests for sexually transmitted diseases, West Nile virus, hepatitis and other illnesses.

Laura says its important to note that only BCW keeps it’s blood in Wisconsin.

To donate call 1 877 BE A HERO or go to WWW.bcw.edu

CALL TO ACTION

Help the Volunteer Center of Ozaukee County by brining items from the flyer below to the next three meetings or drop them on Sally and Paul’s front porch.