Greetings, fellow Pennsylvania Kiwanians,
I am pleased to announce that we had a very productive week from August 25-28,
recruiting charter members for the new Kiwanis Club of Kutztown-Brandywine Heights. As I write this blog, we are up to 10 paid applications with several more in the pipeline. There is a good chance we could organize the club at our next meeting on September 17. People in the area have been very welcoming, and are enthusiastic about how a Kiwanis Club can benefit their communities. New members include the owner of a bakery in downtown Kutztown who raised 7 adopted children, a pizza shop owner with a passion for serving youth, a barber who for years has been rewarding young children for good grades and book reading, a former President of her Key Club at Brandywine Heights High School who is now a regional director for Communities in Schools, a pastor, a funeral director, the owner of a diner, and others. We will have broad representation of businesses and non-profits in the area. And we hope that elected officials, such as the Borough Mayors as well as Superintendents of the two area school districts and Kutztown University will join. This week, we will be following up with solid prospects with the goal of reaching charter strength of 15 members. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Zion’s Union Church in Maxatawny. We are looking forward to the very real possibility that we can organize our District’s newest Kiwanis Club at that time!
On August 26, we had a “kickoff” meeting with the Kiwanis Club of Beaver new club opening team. We plan to build that club the week of October 6. Our team consists of Mike Coolbaugh, Cathy Szymanski, Miranda Burton, Barb Carter, Jeff Carter, Shawn Smith, Maureen Reynolds, Tessa Rhinehart, and me. That community is thirsty to build a Key Club at their high school. We expect a hearty welcome from that community.
We are working hard to complete a new club build in Hazleton. We have another informational meeting scheduled there tomorrow evening, September 9, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Faith United Church of Christ, 21 Faith Drive, Hazleton.
Our two newest Kiwanis Clubs have scheduled their Charter Night celebrations! The Kiwanis Club of Greater Northampton Area is hosting their charter celebration on Friday, September 26, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club, 2110 Canal Street, Northampton. There will be a buffet dinner of roast beef with gravy, vegetable lasagna, redskin mashed potatoes, green beans, salad bar, coffee, tea, soft drinks and beer, with a cash bar and celebration cake for only $40. Get in touch with me if you would like to join us. Another newly-chartered club, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Latrobe will be having their charter celebration on Friday, October 10, 6:00 PM at the Latrobe Art Center. Official invitations will be sent out shortly. I plan to attend. What a year! For the first time in two years, we will be chartering not just one, but possibly three new Kiwanis Clubs in the District by the end of September.
On September 6, I attended the Division 16 Council meeting on Zoom. It was held in person at the Littitz Public Library. Lt. Governor Kyle Butcavage chaired the meeting. I was very pleased to learn that between the proceeds from the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater Buddy Holly Show on August 23, and a donation from the Kiwanis Club of Palmyra, Division 16 raised $1,609 towards my Governor’s Project, “Bucks for Babies.” Kyle reported on efforts to build a new club in the Kutztown-Brandywine Heights area, which will be assigned to his division.
A special meeting of the Pennsylvania District Board of Trustees will be held tomorrow, September 9, at 5:00 PM on Zoom. Among other agenda items, we will be approving the District budget for 2025-26, which is very well balanced with revenues and expenditures.
And finally, I would still appreciate any donations to my Governor’s Project. We are up to $7,847.50 in donations! When doubled by me that will result in 314 infants that will benefit from receiving life-saving hygiene and safety items throughout our district. There are several other major donations pending that will likely result in $18,000 in matched donations, or 360 first time moms receiving those items for their babies. Each club or individual that donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from me, and a banner patch to proudly display on that club’s Honors Banner, or as a keepsake for individual donors. The deadline for donations is rapidly approaching! Donations must be made no later than next Monday, September 15. Please give now to this wonderful cause!
And remember as always to “Rise and Shine for the Kids.”
Governor Tom
Last Updated: September 8, 2025 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
Down the Home Stretch!
Greetings, fellow Pennsylvania Kiwanians,
I am pleased to announce that we had a very productive week from August 25-28,
recruiting charter members for the new Kiwanis Club of Kutztown-Brandywine Heights. As I write this blog, we are up to 10 paid applications with several more in the pipeline. There is a good chance we could organize the club at our next meeting on September 17. People in the area have been very welcoming, and are enthusiastic about how a Kiwanis Club can benefit their communities. New members include the owner of a bakery in downtown Kutztown who raised 7 adopted children, a pizza shop owner with a passion for serving youth, a barber who for years has been rewarding young children for good grades and book reading, a former President of her Key Club at Brandywine Heights High School who is now a regional director for Communities in Schools, a pastor, a funeral director, the owner of a diner, and others. We will have broad representation of businesses and non-profits in the area. And we hope that elected officials, such as the Borough Mayors as well as Superintendents of the two area school districts and Kutztown University will join. This week, we will be following up with solid prospects with the goal of reaching charter strength of 15 members. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 17, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Zion’s Union Church in Maxatawny. We are looking forward to the very real possibility that we can organize our District’s newest Kiwanis Club at that time!
On August 26, we had a “kickoff” meeting with the Kiwanis Club of Beaver new club opening team. We plan to build that club the week of October 6. Our team consists of Mike Coolbaugh, Cathy Szymanski, Miranda Burton, Barb Carter, Jeff Carter, Shawn Smith, Maureen Reynolds, Tessa Rhinehart, and me. That community is thirsty to build a Key Club at their high school. We expect a hearty welcome from that community.
We are working hard to complete a new club build in Hazleton. We have another informational meeting scheduled there tomorrow evening, September 9, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Faith United Church of Christ, 21 Faith Drive, Hazleton.
Our two newest Kiwanis Clubs have scheduled their Charter Night celebrations! The Kiwanis Club of Greater Northampton Area is hosting their charter celebration on Friday, September 26, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club, 2110 Canal Street, Northampton. There will be a buffet dinner of roast beef with gravy, vegetable lasagna, redskin mashed potatoes, green beans, salad bar, coffee, tea, soft drinks and beer, with a cash bar and celebration cake for only $40. Get in touch with me if you would like to join us. Another newly-chartered club, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Latrobe will be having their charter celebration on Friday, October 10, 6:00 PM at the Latrobe Art Center. Official invitations will be sent out shortly. I plan to attend. What a year! For the first time in two years, we will be chartering not just one, but possibly three new Kiwanis Clubs in the District by the end of September.
On September 6, I attended the Division 16 Council meeting on Zoom. It was held in person at the Littitz Public Library. Lt. Governor Kyle Butcavage chaired the meeting. I was very pleased to learn that between the proceeds from the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater Buddy Holly Show on August 23, and a donation from the Kiwanis Club of Palmyra, Division 16 raised $1,609 towards my Governor’s Project, “Bucks for Babies.” Kyle reported on efforts to build a new club in the Kutztown-Brandywine Heights area, which will be assigned to his division.
A special meeting of the Pennsylvania District Board of Trustees will be held tomorrow, September 9, at 5:00 PM on Zoom. Among other agenda items, we will be approving the District budget for 2025-26, which is very well balanced with revenues and expenditures.
And finally, I would still appreciate any donations to my Governor’s Project. We are up to $7,847.50 in donations! When doubled by me that will result in 314 infants that will benefit from receiving life-saving hygiene and safety items throughout our district. There are several other major donations pending that will likely result in $18,000 in matched donations, or 360 first time moms receiving those items for their babies. Each club or individual that donates will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from me, and a banner patch to proudly display on that club’s Honors Banner, or as a keepsake for individual donors. The deadline for donations is rapidly approaching! Donations must be made no later than next Monday, September 15. Please give now to this wonderful cause!
And remember as always to “Rise and Shine for the Kids.”
Governor Tom
Category: Governor Blog
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