Carefree Truth
Issue #625, February 19, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson introduced Canon Steven Dart, president of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, who was present to share information about Kiwanis Club activities and contributions to the community. The Mayor noted that Kiwanis does tremendous good throughout the Foothills in terms of monies raised, generosity in contributions,
sponsorships, and helping children. "Thank you, sir, even before you start to tell us all the good things. We appreciate them."
Issue #625, February 19, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson introduced Canon Steven Dart, president of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, who was present to share information about Kiwanis Club activities and contributions to the community. The Mayor noted that Kiwanis does tremendous good throughout the Foothills in terms of monies raised, generosity in contributions,
sponsorships, and helping children. "Thank you, sir, even before you start to tell us all the good things. We appreciate them."
Canon Dart thanked the Mayor and Council for the opportunity to speak. He said it is a pleasure to speak out about the good work that the Kiwanis Club of Carefree is doing. Last summer, a student intern didn't know what Kiwanis was. While traveling, Canon Dart asked people if they knew about Kiwanis, and found that many didn't. Kiwanis is a group of community minded people who meet for lunch once a week to figure out the best way to strengthen the community and help kids, then they go ahead and do that.
Kiwanis has a very strong connection to the Town of Carefree that should not be overlooked. The iconic sundial was dedicated in loving memory of Carefree co-founder K.T. Palmer. The land on which it stands was donated by Kiwanis. There has long been a rich association. When Canon Dart became the first rector of the Christ Anglican Church, he was invited to a Kiwanis meeting by former Vice Mayor Walt McGuiness. Hugh Stevens, the Mayor at the time, was also a Kiwanian. Kiwanis has had a great partnership with Carefree. There is a great blend of personalities and people in both places. On behalf of Kiwanis, he thanked the Town for the generous terms granted for sharing the Dave Anderson building. He deferred to Councilman Gene Orrico, the immediate past president of Kiwanis, if there were questions he could not answer.
Most recently, Kiwanis had the opportunity to make Carefree be successful by helping to build the splash pad. Kiwanis works with and inspires many of Carefree's other partners. They worked with the Chamber of Commerce on the Christmas Festival, donating $5000 for the kids' activities and the snow. They work with the YMCA, donating money for kids' programs. The Foothills Caring Corps (FCC) supports the homebound population, allowing people to age in place. Kiwanis supports the van program and the Action Club, which allows those who are homebound to get out and not be socially isolated. Medical equipment is donated through Kiwanis and the Loan Closet is stewarded by FCC. Kiwanis greatest support goes to the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD). Over the past 5 years, Kiwanis has donated about $1.5 million to support the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) labs, the Key Club, and has provided college scholarships.
The opening of the "happening" Kiwanis Marketplace in Cave Creek, which has grown about 25% over the last 3 years, has positioned the Club to go from giving tens of thousands of dollars to giving hundreds of thousands. They have now committed to a grant of $3 million to CCUSD to upgrade their computer technology and their electronics. The incoming Kiwanis president, Rick Heiken, has formed a partnership through Partners in Education through the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF). They have gone in with Best Buy to partner with Kiwanis to get the best deal and best technological support for the schools. It is hoped that this pilot program, which originated with the Carefree Kiwanis, will go national as Best Buy partners with Kiwanis International.
The Carefree Kiwanis Club is impacting the community in so many ways through the generosity and kindness of those who are inspired by Kiwanis ideals, primarily the Golden Rule, and the primacy of changing the world, making it better one child and one community at a time, and working to strengthen communities, making them a better place for the next generation. Canon Dart thanked the Town for its support of the Carefree Kiwanis and said the Kiwanis Club of Carefree certainly supports the Town.
The opening of the "happening" Kiwanis Marketplace in Cave Creek, which has grown about 25% over the last 3 years, has positioned the Club to go from giving tens of thousands of dollars to giving hundreds of thousands. They have now committed to a grant of $3 million to CCUSD to upgrade their computer technology and their electronics. The incoming Kiwanis president, Rick Heiken, has formed a partnership through Partners in Education through the Foothills Community Foundation (FCF). They have gone in with Best Buy to partner with Kiwanis to get the best deal and best technological support for the schools. It is hoped that this pilot program, which originated with the Carefree Kiwanis, will go national as Best Buy partners with Kiwanis International.
The Carefree Kiwanis Club is impacting the community in so many ways through the generosity and kindness of those who are inspired by Kiwanis ideals, primarily the Golden Rule, and the primacy of changing the world, making it better one child and one community at a time, and working to strengthen communities, making them a better place for the next generation. Canon Dart thanked the Town for its support of the Carefree Kiwanis and said the Kiwanis Club of Carefree certainly supports the Town.
Mayor Peterson extended a thank you on the part of the Town. He said that many people don't recognize how much good Kiwanis does within this community, and the sheer number of meaningful projects in which it engages. He thanked Canon Dart, past Kiwanis president Councilman Gene Orrico, and all of Kiwanis for their contributions and hard work in the whole area. "Please take back our sincere thank you on the part of Carefree."
Vice Mayor John Crane said Kiwanis does much that most people never hear of. They are very humble and don't toot their own horn often enough. Councilman Mike Farrar said he was in the Key Club in high school, and it's a wonderful program that has helped build a lot of leaders in the community. He was also a member of the local Club. He asked Canon Dart how Kiwanis got its name. Canon Dart said lore has it that it was an Indian word for friendship. He ended his presentation by inviting community minded people who have professional talents and skills to consider sharing them to help train Key Club kids.
https://vimeo.com/255126498
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
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