February may be a quiet month for most groups, but the Greater Kingston Kiwanis is just rolling along.

We try to honor individual groups in and around Kingston, and this month it was the Kingston Friends of the Library. Eight members attended our meeting Feb. 9, and Karen Jeyes, head assistant librarian, read a letter from Tomi Whalen, branch manager of the Kingston and Little Boston libraries, regarding the contributions of Friends of the Library (which included a pledge of $55,000 toward a new library in the Village Green Community Center). We were also reminded that a book sale is planned for March 9 and 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Friends of the Library members and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the general public. These are the kind of people that volunteer and improve our quality of life in Kingston. Let’s go out and support Friends of the Library and buy some books.

We also had a nice visit from Ginny Bell, president of Flotsam and Jetsam, a local gardening club. She presented a check for $500 for the Boys and Girls Club gardening program. The Suquamish Tribe also presented the Boys & Girls Club a grant of $2,000, a very generous gift.

The Boys & Girls Club really hit the jackpot with our very successful annual February Valentine’s Gala at the Oak Table Café and Firehouse Theater. The gross receipts totaled $21,443, thanks to the support of local residents who really want to make sure our kids have safe and worthwhile things to do and to challenge their imagination.

Judy and Dick Osborn really did a great job of organizing the gala again, but many more folks deserve a pat on the back for all their effort, especially the Kingston High School Key Club, the owners of the Oak Table Café, and Firehouse Theater. A number of Caring Clowns “clowned” around, assisting in any way they could. Head clown Jed “Duffy” Selter was auctioneer and was assisted by President Dick Osborn.

Come on down and have breakfast with us on the first, third and fourth Thursdays, 7 a.m., at the Oak Table Café; or join us on the second Thursday, 6 p.m., at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. Please call Osborn at 297-4693, or me at 297-4462. We can use your help, and I guarantee a lot of fun and community spirit.