Tag Archives: fond du lac

This Amazing Club Is Sure to Turn Your Head

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Monday Morning

We had 10 members at our Monday tour of the Boys & Girls Club in spite of the cold and snowy start to the week.  Gary Miller brought a nice selection of donuts and other goodies along with coffee and juice so no one went away hungry.  There was no 50/50 Raffle drawing on Monday so next week’s drawing will have 51 cards, including eight pay cards, and a pot of at least $1.

Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Fond du Lac

Dan Hebel, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Club, welcomed us on Monday morning for a tour of the local Boys & Girls Club.  Dan has been with the local Boys & Girls Club for the past ten years and for the last year and a half as their permanent Chief Professional Officer.  Dan joined the local Boys & Girls Club right out of UW-LaCrosse and has held just about every job at the Club, so he knows the operation from the bottom to the top.

Dan took us on a walking/talking tour of the Club and noted that the Club is divided into two age groups; teens and elementary.  Dan started with the Teen Center (located in the old pool of the YMCA) and told us about the various programming that goes with the Teen population.  Then we moved into the elementary space, which is structured much like an elementary school layout.  Dan talked about how the schedule works for the elementary members and the various things that those kids get to do during their time at the Club.

Dan also talked at length about the partnerships they’ve developed with:

  • Johnsonville Sausage Company
  • Fond du Lac YMCA
  • Fond du Lac School District
  • Fond du Lac Area Foundation
  • Fond du Lac Area United Way
  • 21st Century Learning Center Grants

Without these outstanding partners the Boys & Girls Club couldn’t provide the varied programs they do to the youth of our community.

The Boys & Girls Club operates out of their main location connected to the YMCA and also extension after school programs at Chegwin and Pier Schools.

 

You Can Find a Place to Belong!

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Monday Morning

We had 17 members at our Monday meeting along with our guest speakers, Kate & Rob Bauer from Camp To Belong. Gary Miller had a Happy Buck for having programs in place through March 23. Charlene reminded members of the Club Satellite Project Linus event on February 10 at the MPTC Cafeteria with drinks and maybe dinner to follow at Schmitty’s Oar House. Gary Miller asked for any and all members that could make it to attend Wednesday night’s City Council meeting where a Kiwanis Anniversary Proclamation will be read. Gary Ring reminded everyone to update their membership bio for the master book. Jackie King was the 50/50 Raffle winner and John Cooper drew the Ten of Diamonds for her, a $10 winner. The drawing in two weeks will have 51 cards, including eight pay cards, and a pot of at least $1.

Rob and Kate Bauer, Camp To Belong

Kate and Rob Bauer (Co-Directors of CTB-WI) met in 1998 volunteering at a camp in Wisconsin for children with juvenile arthritis. For over 15 years Kate and Rob have volunteered at camps for children. Their experience of seeing the positive impact that attending camp had on the campers and volunteers led them to commit to bringing CTB to Wisconsin. Kate and Rob have volunteered for Camp To Belong for twelve years. In August of 2013 they attended CTB-Colorado. Upon return home they immediately began working on the development of CTB-WI. In January of 2014 they identified Camp Anokijig in Plymouth as the host site for their first Camp To Belong summer camp.

CTB-Wisconsin connects and reunites siblings involved with the child welfare system. This includes separated siblings regardless of what their particular living arrangements are (i.e. biological home, kinship providers, foster homes, adoptive homes, living independently). Their mission is for separated siblings to build and maintain connections through a variety of programs. The main program is a summer camp at which children placed in out-of-home care can be with their biological siblings to build shared memories and connections.  Check out more about this awesome camp on their website.

 

The Hidden Musical Gem of Fond du Lac

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Monday Morning

We had 16 members at our Monday meeting along with our guest speakers, John Leuberg and Diane Fricken, from United Singers of FDL Area.  Vickie Goldapske had a Happy Buck in celebration of her 3rd Grade Basketball Team’s first medal finish in a NFDL tournament last weekend.  Hopefully her voice will return soon.   Harry Schneider was the 50/50 Raffle winner this week and he drew the Queen of Hearts, the big winner.  The pot topped out at $141 so Harry took home $70.50.  Congratulations Harry.  Next week’s drawing will start anew with 52 cards, including nine pay cards, and a brand new pot.

Diane Fricken, United Singers of Fond du Lac Area

Diane Fricken has been involved with the United Singers group since its inception and she joined us to tell us about the group.  The choir started in February 1994 with six members and now features 45 individuals. Their first concert was at the opening of the Very Special Arts of Wisconsin held at the Fond du Lac Public Library; the group also has sung at the inauguration of Governor Tommy Thompson and sang the national anthem twice at a Badger football game.  The choir was connected with Very Special Arts and the Kennedy Center for the first 19 years of their existence.  Diane said that in July of 2013 the group was informed that Very Special Arts would no longer sponsor the Fond du Lac Choir.  So they renamed themselves the United Singers of the Fond du Lac Area.  They continue to learn new songs and even how to use bells and instruments.  They are a family of singers and volunteers.  Diane noted that the choir has lots of butterflies before a concert, but the more they practice and perform, the more their courage and pride takes over.   It is a group of challenged adults and dedicated volunteers and a gifted director.  It’s a place to grow musically, even more importantly, to develop self-esteem and confidence.  One member of the choir has said on multiple occasions “I know why I work on reading, so I can read the songs I’m learning to sing.”

A member of the choir, John Leuberg, joined Diane on Monday and sang “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” from memory.  Well Done John.