Dear Friend,

As of October 1st, another Kiwanis year has come to a close and a new one has begun. We made great strides last year in bettering the lives of hundreds of children in Cincinnati. With over 1,100 hands-on service hours performed, we have a lot to be proud of!

In this next Kiwanis year, we are going to be challenged to lead and to serve. As the financial fallout takes its toll and families struggle to get by, it is up to us to to help provide them the basic necessities so their children don't suffer. As families struggle to cope with the illness of a child, it is up to us to ease their strife in their troubled times. As children struggle with the stress in their lives, it is up to us to be positive role models for them and to show them that they can overcome their circumstances.

Are you ready for the challenge? What would you be willing to give, so that one more child's life is better for your involvement? One person can change the world. Are you the One?

In this issue you will find:

• Inspirational Moment


• Celebration!


• Upcoming Events


• Kiwanis Club News


• New Membership


• A Club Member Feature: Monica Espinal


• Kiwanis International News


• Did You Know?


• The Fun Spot


• Membership Information

Inspirational Moment Volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.

Celebration! Join us in congratulating our club members on these recent and upcoming milestones and achievements! Happy Birthday! Amy Zimmerman - October 5 Cyndee Crim - October 12 Linda Gramke - October 31 Kiwanis Anniversaries - Years of Service Congratulations to Bob Porter (55yrs of service), Dick Martin (50yrs of service), Rob Porter(25yrs of service), and Jeanette Yacucci (10yrs of service) celebrating milestone Years of Service as Kiwanis members! Thank you for your continued leadership and support! Amy Zimmerman Named as One of Cincinnati's 40 Under 40! Congratulations again Amy on being named one of Cincinnati's emerging leaders in the Cincinnati Business Courier's 40 Under 40 awards. 15 club members attended the event to show support for her. It was a fun event and she made all of us very proud. Congratulations again, Amy! We're so excited for you! New Club Leadership As of October 1, the following are taking leadership roles in our club. President: Alyson Gerwe, d_alyson@yahoo.com Vice-President: Jim Gerwe, j_gerwe@yahoo.com Secretary: Linda Gramke, tgramke@cinci.rr.com Treasurer: Jeanette Yacucci, wongroski@yahoo.com Board of Directors: Monica Espinal Ty Foster Tim Gramke Hubert Kirchgaessner Sopheap Sok Bill Swanson Thanapat Vichitchot Amy Zimmerman Committee Coordinators: Community Service: Bill Swanson Immediate Needs: Bill Swanson, Brian Yacucci Schools: Jim Gerwe Safe Play: To Be Filled - see Jim if you're willing to fill in Other/New Projects: Monica Espinal Membership Retention: Amy Zimmerman Recruitment: Bill Swanson Fundraising: Laura Reinhardt Interclub: Amy Zimmerman PR and Marketing: Sopheap Sok Programs: Rob Porter Service Leadership Programs Circle K: To Be Filled - see Jim if you're willing to fill in Key Leader: Brian Yacucci Kiwanis Kids (K-Kids): Monica Espinal

Upcoming Events To RSVP for any event, please either contact the RSVP Contact or email us at info@cincinnatikiwanis.org. Peaslee Center Playground Project - Thursday, October 1 - 5:30pm-7:30pm - We have done much of the base construction of the new playground, and we're ready to start constructing and finishing the work at the Peaslee Center. We'll be cutting wood, assembling the play scenes and painting. No skill required, but your help is especially needed if you can help haul the play equipment to the center. Where: Peaslee Center (215 E 14th St, 45202) RSVP Contact: Jim Gerwe Kiwanis New Year Party - Sunday, October 4 - 4-8pm - Join us as we celebrate the end of the 2008-2009 Kiwanis year. We'll be celebrating the accomplishments and service from the year, as well as ringing in the new Kiwanis year with an officer installation ceremony. From 4-6pm we'll be touring the horse farm, playing cornhole, and kayaking (if the weather is nice). Potluck dinner, Year in Review Presentation, and Officer Transition Ceremony will begin at 6pm. Where: Bailey's Farm, 4666 Elmwood Rd, Batavia, OH 45103 RSVP Contact: Alyson Gerwe Freestore Foodbank Service Project - Tuesday, October 6 - 5:30-8:30pm - We will be volunteering at the Freestore Foodbank to help them either sort canned goods or pack boxes to be distributed to the more than 160,000 people in southern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. Where: Freestore Foodbank, 1250 Tennessee Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229 RSVP Contact: Bill Swanson Club Leadership Retreat - Sunday, October 11 - 12-6pm - The 2009-2010 Officers and Board Members are getting together to determine the club's direction for the coming year, as well as to build our team, so that our club can start the year strong. If you are an officer or a Board Member, please plan to attend. Together we can make a difference! Where: Good Shephard Lutheran Church, 7701 Kenwood Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236 (across from Nordstrom's) RSVP Contact: Alyson Gerwe Monthly Planning Meeting - Monday, October 12 - 6pm-7pm - In place of a Board meeting, since the Board is meeting for the Leadership Retreat the day before, we will be having a laid back get together at the house of Jim and Alyson Gerwe. If you like, bring an appetizer and drink to share. We will be discussing the outcome of the Leadership retreat, as well as exchange ideas about how to make our organization even better. This Month's Host: Jim and Alyson Gerwe Where: Jim and Alyson's House, 3834 Meadowlark Ln, Fairfax, OH 45227 RSVP Contact: Alyson Gerwe St. Francis Seraph Soup Kitchen - Wednesday, October 19 - 4:15pm-5:45pm - We are serving dinner at the St Francis Seraph Soup Kitchen on the second Wednesday of every month. It is fun, rewarding, and your help is greatly appreciated! The work includes preparing food, cleaning pots/pans, and serving food. Where: St. Francis Seraph Grade School, located on Liberty Street between Vine and Moore Streets. Enter the parking lot from Moore Street. The soup kitchen door is in the back of the building. Project Contact: Bill Swanson Lunch N Learn: TBA - Monday, October 12 - 12:00-1:00pm - Enjoy a break from work with friends, as well as learn about club happenings, meet and discuss community needs. Where: BlackFinn, 19 East 7th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 RSVP Contact: Alyson Gerwe Ronald McDonald House: Service Project - Monday, October 26 - 5:00pm–7:00pm - We will be serving dinner for the residents of the house, so they can spend quality time with their family or just relax after a long day at the hospital. After working so hard, we also get to eat dinner with the residents! Where: Ronald McDonald House Dining Room: 350 Erkenbrecher Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229 Project Contact: Brian Yacucci Meet the Ohio District Kiwanis Governor - Monday, October 28 - 6:00pm–8:00pm - At the October Division 6 meeting, we will get a chance to meet and hear from the Ohio District Kiwanis Governor for the 2009-2010 Kiwanis year. Hear what's going on in the District, meet Kiwanians from around Cincinnati, and have a great dinner. The event begins at 6pm and ends at 8pm. Please RSVP to the interclub chair. Where: 5975 Boymel Drive, Fairfield, OH 45014 RSVP Contact: Amy Zimmerman Check out the Club Calendar for more event details

New Membership The larger our team, the larger the impact we can make on our community. There are children and families in our community who are struggling. With a dedicated team of volunteers, we can help. Recruiting more people to join our team, means more life-changing service to the community. And with all of our projects going on, we definitely need the extra hands! Who should you invite to join? Anyone who loves serving their community, meeting interesting people, or developing leadership skills. Invite a friend, coworker or neighbor to our next service project or meeting. Anyone can attend a meeting or service project, so why not share your love for Kiwanis with them?

An Interview with Monica Espinal. Each month we feature one of our club members so our readers can get to know the people who make up our club. This month’s featured member is Monica Espinal. Monica grew up on a military base till 5th grade. Being part of a military family, she moved around a lot, including Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. After moving to Cincinnati in 5th grade, she mostly grew up in College Hill and Clifton. Monica was in Key Club at Hughes High School and Circle K while at Miami University, studying early childhood development. While at Miami, she served as the Membership Development and Education Chair, K-Family Chair, and Service Chair. She eventually became President of the Club her junior year and then served as District Secretary her senior year. Miami had interclubs with UC Circle K when Alyson Gerwe and JJ McHenry were members. After moving back to Cincinnati in 2008, Alyson recruited Monica and she joined the Kiwanis Club of Cincinnati. Monica has taught 3rd grade for 6 years, and spent three of those years teaching in Orange County in Florida at Lake Silver Elementary. She currently teaches third grade at Horizon Science Academy Cincinnati where she is helping to charter the K-Kids Club. Monica is also currently attending U.C. to achieve her Masters Degree in Literacy – English as a Second Language. She teaches school by day and attends school by night. With all Monica’s involvement with kids, you may have been able to guess that she is an avid reader. She especially likes biographies and, of course, children's books because of the life lessons for her students. Monica’s favorite Service Projects are cooking at the Ronald McDonald House and K Kids. She is currently the Faculty Advisor as well as Kiwanis Advisor for K Kids. One of their first projects was making trail mix packs to show their appreciation for the Kiwanis Club sponsorship. These treats were shared at a Board meeting. Recently, the K-Kids joined our Kiwanis Club at the last Ronald McDonald House to make cupcakes for the residents. Monica also is half Dominican through her father’s side of the family. She has two sisters and two brothers. More club stars...

Kiwanis International News Kiwanis - Building Leaders for Tomorrow "Kiwanis is taking itself from a good organization to a truly great organization that defines excellence for service and leadership and builds leaders through service opportunities. Kiwanis International is the only service organization that builds leaders at every level—from the youngest Kiwanis Kids all the way through several youth programs and adult programs. K-Kids is the youngest and fastest growing service organization for elementary students worldwide. These clubs are ideally suited for students in grades 1 through 5 (ages 6 to 12). [It] is a "student-led" community-service organization, which operates under school regulations and draws its members from the student body. K-Kids clubs can also be established in a community-based organization. Such organizations might include, but are not limited to: community library, Boys Club, Girls Club, YMCA, YWCA, or a church. [It] is unique because it's sponsored by a local Kiwanis club. The K-Kids' pledge: "As a K-Kid, I promise to serve my neighborhood and my school; I will show respect toward my environment; and I will try to make the world a better place in which to live." The K-Kids' motto is "We Build," and its objectives are: • To provide opportunities for working together in service to school and community. • To develop leadership potential. • To foster and development of strong moral character. • To encourage loyalty to school, community, and nation. Learn More About K-Kids

Did you know? ...the newly elected President for Circle K International is Jason Stewart, who is a fellow Ohioan who is attending the College of Wooster? Jason is a former Key Clubber and Immediate Past Governor of the Ohio District. More about Circle K

The Fun Spot http://comics.com/luann/1997-04-07/

Membership Information
We always welcome new members to our team! If you are interested in becoming a member of Cincinnati Kiwanis, either contact a Cincinnati Kiwanis member or come to a meeting to fill out a membership application.

Our membership is open to the public. New members means more volunteers working together to make a greater positive impact on our community...Learn more about Membership


Events Information
Not a member, but want to come to our events? No problem! The public is invited and encouraged to join us for all our activities and events. Want another incentive to try out our lunch meetings? We buy lunch for prospective members 3 times as our guest (3 FREE lunches). Hope to see you soon!


Thanks everyone for all the hard work this past month in putting this newsletter together!