Tag Archives: district governor

Autism Project Pitched to AM Kiwanis

Autism Awareness Logo
Monday Morning
We had 16 members and our guest speaker, Immediate Past Lt. Governor Tonya Alling, at our flooded Monday meeting. Due to an unexpected flood in our meeting room at Main Street Lounge & Café, we had to meet in the restaurant section. Hopefully things will be back to normal by next Monday morning. Gary Miller had four for an InterClub to the Kewaskum Club on Monday evening, but he was also looking for an insurance member or two in case someone needed to cancel. “Happy Bucks” were offered by our speaker Tonya Alling for a potential new member for our Club, Todd Elliot, who is a personal friend of Tonya’s and who is looking to get involved in a FDL Kiwanis Club. Gary Miller also had a “Happy Buck” in anticipation of a successful InterClub to Kewaskum. Gary Ring noted that Danny Loomans is holding a press conference on Friday at FDL High School to kick off the Food for Freedom Drive that he’s embarking on. Governor Walker and/or the Wisconsin First Lady are expected to be attending. Ron Seidl was the 50/50 Raffle winner and he drew the Ace of Clubs. Not a winner so the pot continues to grow. Next Monday’s game will have 37 cards, eight pay cards and a pot of at least $193.

Tonya Alling, Kiwanis Autism Project
WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Lynn and First Lady Merita Messer are passionate about helping children on the Autism Spectrum learn and communicate. Their granddaughter, Kelsey, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, so the Messers have firsthand experience with the unique challenges for children on the spectrum. It has been proven that autistic children benefit from the use of software Apps available for the Apple® iPad. An iPad with a protective case and one app will cost approximately $500. Governor Messer’s goal is to raise over $500,000 during his term, which will be used to furnish iPads, Autism software Apps, and protective cases for at least 1,000 children on the Autism Spectrum in the WI-UM Kiwanis District.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a life-long disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to other Those affected typically display major impairments in three areas: social interaction, communication and behavior. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 88 children in the United States have autism in some form. Teachers are using iPads as a tool to reach out to children with ASD and the results are remarkable. Autistic children are showing tremendous improvement after playing fun-filled exercises on the iPad which is less stressful and more fun for the teachers and students, and mutually beneficial for parents, siblings and other caregivers.
Tonya talked about the strategy her Ripon Kiwanis Club has taken to jump start this fund-raising effort as well as the use of the “FirstGiving” webpage to also help raise funds for this project.

2012-2013 Governor’s Project to Focus on Autism


Monday Morning
We had 10 members and no guests at Monday’s New Year’s Eve Roundtable. Dan Leeds announced that he is a proud grandpa with the birth of his first grandson, Liam Leeds, on Saturday. Mother and baby are doing fine. Monday was John Cooper’s last day of real work as he is retiring after more than 40 years in the banking business. Good luck, John, and make sure you wake up in time for next Monday’s meeting. General topics of conversation were what Santa brought for Christmas, which appeared to have a heavy emphasis on technology, the Packer’s loss to the dreaded Vikings, and the anticipation of the upcoming Rose Bowl. There was no 50/50 Raffle so the next drawing on January 7th will have 41 cards with eight pay cards and a pot of at least $141.

2012-2013 Governor’s Project on Autism
WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Lynn and First Lady Merita Messer are passionate about helping children on the Autism Spectrum learn and communicate. Their granddaughter, Kelsey, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of eight, so the Messers have firsthand experience with the unique challenges for children on the spectrum. It has been proven that autistic children benefit from the use of software Apps available for the Apple® iPad. An iPad with a protective case and one app will cost approximately $500. Governor Messer’s goal is to raise over $500,000 during his term, which will be used to furnish iPads, Autism software Apps and protective cases for at least 1,000 children on the Autism Spectrum in the WI-UM Kiwanis District.
Former Lt. Governor Tonya Alling also has a son who is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and is actively involved with Governor Messer on this important project. We’re hoping to have Tonya speak at one of our January meetings to update us on this project and how we can help to reach this aggressive $500,000 fund raising goal.

Kiwanis Happenings – April 26, 2012


Monday Morning
We had 19 members and eight guests for our Monday meeting back at the Ramada Hotel. Joining us were Governor Fred Dietze, also our program, First Lady Nancy Dietze, Lt. Governor Tonya Alling and District Trustee Paula Thalacker. Gary Miller introduced four guests from “Friends of Taylor Park Pool” John Barbeau, Mary Heider, Jerome Heider and Nancy Porath. Our Club presented this group with a $1,100 from the proceeds of the NFDL PDQ Brat Fry. Dan Leeds reminded everyone that Saturday is our 2nd Annual Kids Free Play day at the Fond du Lac Children’s Museum. Dan is still looking for more volunteers for the Craft Room from 1:00 – 4:00PM. We had a number of “Happy Bucks” donated at Monday’s meeting. Governor Dietze donated $2, one for being able to join us and the second in thanks for all that we do. Lt. Gov. Tonya Alling also had $2, one in honor of Governor Dietze joining us and the second in honor of the Noon Clubs successful dog show. Vickie Goldapske had a buck for shooting her first turkey, and finally, Gary Ring also offered $2, one for Governor and First Lady Dietze for joining our early morning meeting and for a great wine and cheese party at their house last Saturday for the winning membership drive mem-bers. Marlin Towne drew the winning ticket in the 50/50 drawing for the fourth week in a row. He only drew the two of clubs so he didn’t win the pot. That leaves 45 cards in the deck with 7 being pay cards. The pot will be at least $307. Still a great chance to win.

Governor Fred Dietze
Governor Fred Dietze and First Lady talked about how they found their way to Fond du Lac for a 6:45AM Kiwanis meeting via places like Iron Mountain, Madison and Elkhorn. Fred told us how proud he was of Clubs like ours that actually do things instead of just writing checks. Fred also recognized our outstanding membership growth via our Club Satellite and reminded us to follow up with prospective members and invite them to a service project or a social gathering and have them see all aspects of the Club. Finally, Gov. Dietze reminded everyone that the District Convention is being held in Eau Claire on August 17th & 18th. For more information on Governor Dietze you should check out his blog.