Source: Greg Renton's weekly newsletter
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was the guest speaker at April 3rd's meeting.
Not only was Sheriff Ivey in attendance as a representative of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, but he also performed double duty as the weekly speaker.
Sheriff Ivey thanked the Kiwanis Club for all that it does and stated that he will again participate in this year’s Masquerade Ball. Also, he said he was truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the community on the recent passing of his beloved dog Junny.
Finally, the Sheriff reported on numerous items relating to Brevard County. Some of the items noted were:
(1) The county has 700 deputies with only 40 vacancies and many of those positions will be filled in the near term by graduates from the police academy.
(2) The crime rate in Brevard County is down 12% over the past few years while the population continues to increase.
(3) The Sheriff’s department continues to have great respect in the county, and he encouraged everyone “to say something if you see something”.
(4) Fentanyl is the largest community problem and the Sheriff’s department is doing everything possible to eliminate it from the streets.
(5) Immigration is the hot new national, state & local topic. He said he is pleased now that recent Federal & State laws have been passed whereby local and state police can now work with Federal agencies as it relates to immigration.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a good one!
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was the guest speaker at April 3rd's meeting.
Not only was Sheriff Ivey in attendance as a representative of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, but he also performed double duty as the weekly speaker.
Sheriff Ivey thanked the Kiwanis Club for all that it does and stated that he will again participate in this year’s Masquerade Ball. Also, he said he was truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the community on the recent passing of his beloved dog Junny.
Finally, the Sheriff reported on numerous items relating to Brevard County. Some of the items noted were:
(1) The county has 700 deputies with only 40 vacancies and many of those positions will be filled in the near term by graduates from the police academy.
(2) The crime rate in Brevard County is down 12% over the past few years while the population continues to increase.
(3) The Sheriff’s department continues to have great respect in the county, and he encouraged everyone “to say something if you see something”.
(4) Fentanyl is the largest community problem and the Sheriff’s department is doing everything possible to eliminate it from the streets.
(5) Immigration is the hot new national, state & local topic. He said he is pleased now that recent Federal & State laws have been passed whereby local and state police can now work with Federal agencies as it relates to immigration.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a good one!
(Seated L-R) Jason Carey, Jim Hirz, Miles Morrow (Standing L-R) Andy Anderson, Dean Haynes
Jim Hirz’s ticket was pulled at this meeting and as luck would have it, he pulled the Joker out of the remaining playing cards. Therefore, Jim won the 50/50 pot of $722. Being the great guy that he is, Jim donated $500 of his winnings to this year’s Kiwanis Mayors Masquerade Ball.
Andy Anderson and Dean Haynes, have been running the 50/50 contest all year.
Andy Anderson and Dean Haynes, have been running the 50/50 contest all year.
(L-R) Dave Smith, Kathy Matson, Hugh Halsey
Source: Greg Renton's weekly newsletter
At our March 27th meeting, President Dave Smith and Vice President Kathy Matson from Friends of Children of Brevard (Friends) were the guest speakers.
Friends is a nonprofit 501(c) organization operated entirely by volunteers who are committed to supporting abused, abandoned and neglected children. Their mission is to improve the lives of children who have been removed from their homes through no fault of their own. These children are placed with relatives, family friends and/or in foster or group homes. They provide funding and resources to fill gaps where the system falls short.
They said that in 2024 more than $39,000 was spent to fund children’s clothing & household needs through donations, grants and fundraisers. Additionally, they noted that some of their other activities are: (1) Friends fund camps & sports programs, music lessons as well as other extracurricular activities.
(2) Friends provided nearly $18,000 in gift cards to support birthdays.
(3) Friends recognize children of elementary age or older who deserve recognition for a big accomplishment thru their Shining Star program where the student receives a colorful award certificate and a $25 gift card of their choice.
(4) Friends provided funding of $5,300 for their spring & summer celebrations program.
(5) Friends provided 3,500 gifts valued at approximately $110,000 to their children through their holiday gift program.
In summary, they said that either the club or an individual can help them by either donating to one of their causes or by being a sponsor at the annual Superhero 5K fundraiser. For more information, anyone can either attend one of their board meetings or visit their website, i.e. https://friendsofchildrenofbrevard.org.
At our March 27th meeting, President Dave Smith and Vice President Kathy Matson from Friends of Children of Brevard (Friends) were the guest speakers.
Friends is a nonprofit 501(c) organization operated entirely by volunteers who are committed to supporting abused, abandoned and neglected children. Their mission is to improve the lives of children who have been removed from their homes through no fault of their own. These children are placed with relatives, family friends and/or in foster or group homes. They provide funding and resources to fill gaps where the system falls short.
They said that in 2024 more than $39,000 was spent to fund children’s clothing & household needs through donations, grants and fundraisers. Additionally, they noted that some of their other activities are: (1) Friends fund camps & sports programs, music lessons as well as other extracurricular activities.
(2) Friends provided nearly $18,000 in gift cards to support birthdays.
(3) Friends recognize children of elementary age or older who deserve recognition for a big accomplishment thru their Shining Star program where the student receives a colorful award certificate and a $25 gift card of their choice.
(4) Friends provided funding of $5,300 for their spring & summer celebrations program.
(5) Friends provided 3,500 gifts valued at approximately $110,000 to their children through their holiday gift program.
In summary, they said that either the club or an individual can help them by either donating to one of their causes or by being a sponsor at the annual Superhero 5K fundraiser. For more information, anyone can either attend one of their board meetings or visit their website, i.e. https://friendsofchildrenofbrevard.org.
(L-R) Bill Mcara, Cheryl Cominsky
Source: Greg Renton's weekly newsletter
Cheryl Cominsky, Executive Director of The Children’s Hunger Project (CHP), was our guest speaker at our March 13th meeting. She noted that CHP is dedicated to helping elementary school children in need by providing them with food to take home for weekends and during school breaks. CHP’s goal is to ensure that children have access to basic nutrition when they may not have access to school meals. CHP’s food assistance program includes non-perishable items such as canned ravioli, rice with chicken and vegetables, breakfast bars, cereal, milk, juice boxes, and other kid-friendly food items.
CHP understands the importance of providing easy-to-handle food items that require no cooking, as many children may not have access to cooking facilities or may lack adult supervision. CHP’s food items are lightweight and easy for children to handle and consume, even in the absence of electricity. By providing this food assistance, on Monday, the kids return to school but with a better and healthier foundation for learning.
CHP is committed to making a difference in the lives of elementary school children by ensuring that they have basic nutrition throughout the week. With the help of our volunteers and donors, we are able to provide this weekly food assistance and positively impact the lives of children in need.
Cheryl Cominsky, Executive Director of The Children’s Hunger Project (CHP), was our guest speaker at our March 13th meeting. She noted that CHP is dedicated to helping elementary school children in need by providing them with food to take home for weekends and during school breaks. CHP’s goal is to ensure that children have access to basic nutrition when they may not have access to school meals. CHP’s food assistance program includes non-perishable items such as canned ravioli, rice with chicken and vegetables, breakfast bars, cereal, milk, juice boxes, and other kid-friendly food items.
CHP understands the importance of providing easy-to-handle food items that require no cooking, as many children may not have access to cooking facilities or may lack adult supervision. CHP’s food items are lightweight and easy for children to handle and consume, even in the absence of electricity. By providing this food assistance, on Monday, the kids return to school but with a better and healthier foundation for learning.
CHP is committed to making a difference in the lives of elementary school children by ensuring that they have basic nutrition throughout the week. With the help of our volunteers and donors, we are able to provide this weekly food assistance and positively impact the lives of children in need.
(L-R) Annette Carey, Hugh Halsey, Linda Bunting, Johnathan Bolitho, Bill Mcara
Source: Greg Renton's weekly newsletter
Johnathan Bolitho, Assistant Principal at Roosevelt Elementary School, was the speaker at our February 27th meeting.
Johnathon thanked us for our past support in providing gifts to the students and their families in need for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He did say the community in Cocoa Beach is very supportive of the schools. He came from Viera and said the community involvement here is amazing.
He provided a brief history of himself and said this was his second year as an AP at Roosevelt. He mentioned that Roosevelt had undergone some facility updates that were well-needed, such as a new roof, refinished gymnasium floor, etc.
He also mentioned that they should be able to march in the Christmas Parade this year with the music teacher overseeing the kids. Questions were brought up about the principal and his response was basically what we knew about it is all that he knows about it. We mentioned if they are in need of anything, to reach out, and we would see what we could do to help out.
Johnathan Bolitho, Assistant Principal at Roosevelt Elementary School, was the speaker at our February 27th meeting.
Johnathon thanked us for our past support in providing gifts to the students and their families in need for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He did say the community in Cocoa Beach is very supportive of the schools. He came from Viera and said the community involvement here is amazing.
He provided a brief history of himself and said this was his second year as an AP at Roosevelt. He mentioned that Roosevelt had undergone some facility updates that were well-needed, such as a new roof, refinished gymnasium floor, etc.
He also mentioned that they should be able to march in the Christmas Parade this year with the music teacher overseeing the kids. Questions were brought up about the principal and his response was basically what we knew about it is all that he knows about it. We mentioned if they are in need of anything, to reach out, and we would see what we could do to help out.
Kiwanis Club Makes A Donation To Cape View Elementary School
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Front row (L-R) Melissa Long, Haley DeSerio, Morakot Chaiyahanij, Martin McClellan, Second row (L-R) Bill Mcara, Linda Bunting, Hugh Halsey
From Greg Renton's weekly newsletter:
At last week’s meeting, Candice Hodge was the speaker. Candice is the Vice President of Education Leadership for Junior Achievement (JA) of the Space Coast.
Candice gave a very nice presentation whereby she provided statistics on the more than 100 JA Areas across the nation, the number of children that they help educate through their programs and the various types of programs that they offer schools. Also, she noted that JA is a worldwide organization and she showed similar statistics by area around the world.
Candice concluded by showing many of the fund-raising activities and the various volunteering opportunities that are available.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a great speaker with a wonderful program for a great organization!
At last week’s meeting, Candice Hodge was the speaker. Candice is the Vice President of Education Leadership for Junior Achievement (JA) of the Space Coast.
Candice gave a very nice presentation whereby she provided statistics on the more than 100 JA Areas across the nation, the number of children that they help educate through their programs and the various types of programs that they offer schools. Also, she noted that JA is a worldwide organization and she showed similar statistics by area around the world.
Candice concluded by showing many of the fund-raising activities and the various volunteering opportunities that are available.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a great speaker with a wonderful program for a great organization!
(L-R) Linda Bunting, Kiwanis Club of Cocoa Beach President, Candice Hodge, Rosemary Reder
(L-R) Jim Underwood, Linda Bunting
Source: Greg Renton's weekly newsletter
At our February 6th meeting, Jim Underwood was the guest speaker. Jim is a long-time board member of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation.
He noted that the lighthouse stands proudly on Space Launch Deleta 45’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Jim said the lighthouse is owned by the United States Space Force and is still maintained as an active aid to navigation by the United States Coast Guard.
Jim explained how the more than 155-year-old lighthouse functioned in the past as well as how it now works with a laser beam. He informed the club that group tours are permitted at no charge, but the group must preregister in order to get vetted as it is on US Space Force land.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a great speaker with a wonderful program for a very worthwhile organization!
At our February 6th meeting, Jim Underwood was the guest speaker. Jim is a long-time board member of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation.
He noted that the lighthouse stands proudly on Space Launch Deleta 45’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Jim said the lighthouse is owned by the United States Space Force and is still maintained as an active aid to navigation by the United States Coast Guard.
Jim explained how the more than 155-year-old lighthouse functioned in the past as well as how it now works with a laser beam. He informed the club that group tours are permitted at no charge, but the group must preregister in order to get vetted as it is on US Space Force land.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a great speaker with a wonderful program for a very worthwhile organization!
Source: Greg Renton's weekly newsletter
Member Brent Kabboord did a spotlight on his father, David Kabboord, at our January 23rd meeting. Brent began the presentation by giving a history of his grandfather’s origin in Kalamazoo, Michigan, his military record and him moving his family to Cocoa Beach in 1953.
He noted that his grandfather first job in the area was buying and selling used cars and then migrated into buying & selling real estate that eventually led into his starting his realty company. Brent noted that David has two brothers, John Kabboord Jr. and William Kabboord.
Next, he went on to talk about Dave where he said he is not only a realtor, investor, entrepreneur and Kiwanian but he is a great father. He noted that Dave was an outstanding high school athlete and earned a full scholarship to Georgia Tech where he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management.
Brent continued by showing various pictures of Dave and told a few interesting stories about his father including his love of restoring cars and their jet ski trip all the way to the Statue of Liberty.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a good one where everyone learned a lot about one of the club’s great members!!
Member Brent Kabboord did a spotlight on his father, David Kabboord, at our January 23rd meeting. Brent began the presentation by giving a history of his grandfather’s origin in Kalamazoo, Michigan, his military record and him moving his family to Cocoa Beach in 1953.
He noted that his grandfather first job in the area was buying and selling used cars and then migrated into buying & selling real estate that eventually led into his starting his realty company. Brent noted that David has two brothers, John Kabboord Jr. and William Kabboord.
Next, he went on to talk about Dave where he said he is not only a realtor, investor, entrepreneur and Kiwanian but he is a great father. He noted that Dave was an outstanding high school athlete and earned a full scholarship to Georgia Tech where he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management.
Brent continued by showing various pictures of Dave and told a few interesting stories about his father including his love of restoring cars and their jet ski trip all the way to the Statue of Liberty.
If you missed this meeting, you missed a good one where everyone learned a lot about one of the club’s great members!!
Two great speakers at our January 23rd Meeting
Haley DeSerio from Cape View Elementary School, and Ramon Lopez from Bank Of America
Haley DeSerio from Cape View Elementary School, and Ramon Lopez from Bank Of America
(L-R) Kiwanis Member Ben Malik, 2nd VP Bill Mcara, Ramon, Melissa, Haley, and member Greg Renton
Kiwanis Club of Cocoa Beach donates to children's dance school
Kiwanis Club members Annette Carey, and Morakot Chaiyahanij presented certificates and awards to the children of the dance school that participated and helped at the Kiwanis 2024 Masquerade Ball. Pictured with Morakot and Annette is school instructor Nadia Rud.
Saturday, December 14,2024 - Cocoa Beach Christmas Parade
For additional photos from Florida Today, visit:
https://www.floridatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2024/12/14/cocoa-beach-christmas-parade/76995669007/?taid=675e06ef0e8d6f0001ba7a30&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
https://www.floridatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2024/12/14/cocoa-beach-christmas-parade/76995669007/?taid=675e06ef0e8d6f0001ba7a30&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Club Donates $1,000 to CBHS Baseball Booster Club
Morakot Chaiyahanij, Linda Bunting; Coach Brian Johnson and team, (L-R respectively ), Bill Mcara (back row) and Connie Stine (R)