Mike Remembers ...

 I love being a Kiwanian because it allows me/us to help the youth of the community to develop into solid citizens and the leaders of tomorrow.

     There are two projects which I am most proud of and have been intimately involved in for the past 20 years:  the Kiwanis Student of the Month Program which has expanded from 2 high schools to 8 area high schools and our sponsored leadership program which has expanded from 1 school to 6 schools.  It is great to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of some of the best students/youth in our area and to encourage them to go on to be the leaders of tomorrow through the Student of the Month Program.

   Our sponsored leadership programs have excelled beyond expectations. The TC Central Key Club petitioned our noon club and all the other Kiwanis Clubs in Traverse City to help in sponsoring the now annual (2014 was our 8th) Kids Against Hunger Project which involves fundraising then packaging food for needy souls around the world and in our own community.  The Saint Francis Key Club began the monthly, now weekly Glad Meals for the homeless soon after their chartering in 2003.  A few years later they started the annual Katie Heintz Pediatric Oncology fundraiser for Munson Hospital in honor of Katie.  To date they have raised almost $100,000 for this project.  The potential for our sponsored leadership clubs is unlimited, they are our future and we can be proud that we are giving them that opportunity.

Attached are photos of the Kids Against Hunger food packaging line and one of our Kiwanis Katie Heintz basketball teams.

Mike Maasberg

Member of the Kiwanis Club of Traverse City since 1993.