On April 27th, the Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club welcomed Clay Adams, Director of the Montgomery County Salvation Army, as their keynote speaker.

Adams spoke about a nineteen-year-old girl who was caring for her eleven- and 9-year-old siblings. The young girl called Adams asking for help to pay their rent.  She had most of it but needed twenty-four more dollars.  Adams met with the girl at the apartment complex offices only to find out the girl only owed twenty-two dollars for her rent. The girl was working hard to provide for her and her siblings and had paid all but twenty-four dollars this month.  Adams was shocked that she had worked so hard to pay everything for her and her siblings and now only needed the small remainder to pay the rent.  Adams asked her if she had any other bills to pay and the girl showed him her eighty-nine-dollar utility bill that was due in two weeks. The girl told Adams that she would get paid next week and could then pay that bill. Adams paid that bill also for the young family.

Adams explained that this is the kind of help that is needed by many from the Montgomery County Salvation Army.  So far in 2023 the Montgomery County Salvation Army has helped over one-hundred people throughout Montgomery County and has provided over $6,200 in funds to help these families.

Adams stated that their funding for services like these comes from their annual Red Kettle Drive that you may see at local businesses in November and December around Montgomery County.

“The Salvation Army’s mission is to serve others, and we can’t do that alone,” Adams said. “We rely on the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.”  Some of those volunteers are the bell ringers you may see during the holiday season.  If you would like to be a volunteer for the Army during their season please contact Adams at New Hope Christian Church.

Adams’ message of hope and community service resonated with the audience and left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

The Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club is a community service organization that aims to improve the lives of children and families in Montgomery County, Indiana. 

The Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club was pleased to have attendees from the North Montgomery High School Key Club at their meeting on April 27th 2023. The North Montgomery High School Key Club has approximately 35 members even though they were newly chartered during the 2021 school year.

Key Club International is a global organization that empowers high school students to become leaders and serve their communities. It is the largest student-led service organization in the world, with over 260,000 members across 38 countries. 

The mission of Key Club International is to develop leadership skills, foster character-building and promote community service among high school students. Members of Key Club participate in a wide range of service projects and community service activities, such as organizing food drives, volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes, and fundraising for various causes.

In addition to developing leadership skills and promoting community service, Key Club International also provides opportunities for members to develop friendships and gain valuable experience in teamwork and collaboration. Members are encouraged to participate in local and international conferences and conventions, where they can connect with other Key Club members and exchange ideas and experiences.

Overall, Key Club International is an organization that offers high school students a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on their communities, while developing important leadership skills and making lasting friendships along the way.

The Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club sponsors Key Clubs in all three Montgomery County high schools. 

Dr. Colleen Moran, Superintendent of the North Montgomery School Corporation, spoke to the Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Dr. Moran addressed a variety of topics related to the North Montgomery School Corporation, including recent successes, ongoing challenges, and plans for the future.

Her experience began as a 4^th grade teacher and her dedication to the Early Learning program at North Montgomery are certainly noteworthy achievements.  Graduating the first students who started in the program 15 years ago is a testament to the success of the program and the commitment of the district to providing a strong foundation for students from an early age.  It’s great to see educators who are passionate about their work and making a difference in the lives of their students.

During her speech, Dr. Moran highlighted the district’s commitment to providing a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. She emphasized the importance of preparing students for success in college and career, as well as instilling in them a sense of civic responsibility and community involvement.

Dr. Moran also discussed several recent initiatives and accomplishments within the district, including the implementation of a new technology plan, the expansion of the district’s dual credit program, and the renovation of several school facilities. She credited the hard work and dedication of district staff, students, and families for these successes.

Dr. Moran concluded her speech by expressing her optimism for the future of the North Montgomery School Corporation, stating that “with hard work, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our students’ success, we can overcome any obstacle and continue to provide the high-quality education that our students deserve.”

For more information about the North Montgomery School Corporation, visit their website at www.nm.k12.in.us.

Crawfordsville Kiwanis’ speaker next Thursday will be Tim Timmons, editor of The Paper of Montgomery County.

Pictured are Dr. Colleen Moran and Crawfordsville Kiwanis President Jake Moore.

The Crawfordsville Kiwanians have once again demonstrated their commitment to helping the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau’s Nourish Program by unloading the monthly food delivery.

The Nourish Program is a vital initiative that provides much-needed food to families in Montgomery County who are facing food insecurity. The program is run by the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau, a non-profit organization that provides a range of services to young people and families in the area.The Crawfordsville Kiwanians have been strong supporters of the Nourish Program for several years, and their monthly efforts to unload the food delivery are a key part of the program’s success. The Kiwanians work tirelessly to ensure that the food is safely unloaded and stored, ready to be distributed to those who need it most.

“Food insecurity is a serious issue in our community, and we are proud to support the Nourish Program and the important work it does,” said a spokesperson for the Crawfordsville Kiwanians. “We believe that everyone should have access to healthy, nutritious food, and we will continue to support this program for as long as it’s needed.”

The Crawfordsville Kiwanians are a local chapter of the global service organization Kiwanis International, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through service projects and fundraising efforts. The chapter has been active in the Crawfordsville community for over 100 years, and their contributions to the Nourish Program are just one example of their commitment to making a difference.

The Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau and the Nourish Program are grateful for the continued support of the Crawfordsville Kiwanians and all those who have contributed to this important initiative.

Pictured are Crawfordsville Kiwanis members and students from the MCYSB Alternative School Program.