I spent last month in Southern Illinois and, believe me, I will never complain about our weather again. The 100-degree heat, with a heat index of 120 degrees, made me look forward to “cedar sweat” at home.

The positive outcome of not having my column published is the great job the North Kitsap Herald and Community News staff did when they published Pat Bennett-Forman’s letter letting North Kitsap citizens know how many kids receiving free or subsidized breakfast and lunch may go hungry before school starts again in September. The Greater Kingston Kiwanis, The Kiwanis Rotary Foundation, and many generous citizens exceeded expectations. The goal was to raise $3,600, but our neighbors far surpassed that number.

At first, Pat was a little annoyed because her address was on the letter, but she has since forgiven me. Sometimes it’s easier to be forgiven than ask permission.

We had our first evening meeting Aug. 11 at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. We had a great turnout and had fellow Kiwanians from the Silverdale and Bainbridge Island clubs, including our district’s lieutenant governor and a past lieutenant governor.

We were rewarded by a presentation by two Key Club members, Katlin Snaring and Anna Lee, who spent part of their summer in Africa. They developed a PowerPoint presentation that described the SIGN program, an organization of orthopedic surgeons who fix bone trauma in Third World countries. The presentation was very professional and makes me think of how many great kids we have in our community.

Our club will have a dinner meeting on the second Thursday of each month at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. We hope to encourage folks who cannot meet with us in the morning but still want to participate in Kiwanis and our programs.

Our berry sales were more successful than expected considering the complicated growing season; the sales enable us to spend more money on our projects.

Judy Osborne reported that we have gathered a collection of books and toys that total 506. The goal is 600, and I’m sure we will surpass that number.

The paper collection bin across from the Post Office is a way to contribute to our scholarship fund. Just deposit your old newspapers and we will receive a check from Waste Management.

Join us Thursdays, 7 a.m., at the Oak Table Café, or the second Thursday of each month at the KCYC. If you would like more information, please call our President Dick Osborn, 297-4693; or me at 297-4462.