eBuilder - The Online Newsletter of the Capital District of Kiwanis International

Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean City Club Summer Activities
by David Landis

Kiwanis Donates to Ocean Pines Youth Programs Pictured are Mike Howell, Director of the Ocean Pines Parks and Recreation Department accepting a $1000 donation from Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City President, Ed Schaefer, in support of the Youth Programs run by Mike Howell's department. The mission of Kiwanis is "Serving the Children of the World". The donation was generated by the Kiwanis Dog Team through the selling of hot dogs, drinks, and snacks at Ocean Pines events including Memorial Day Celebration, Summer Concerts in the Park, the Fourth of July Celebration, the 40th Anniversary of Ocean Pines Celebration, and the Halloween Celebration at White Horse Park, to name a few.
OPA Director Rakow Previews New Community Center to Kiwanis Weekly meetings of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City always include a guest speaker. On September 3rd, Graham Caldwell, the club's Speakers Program Chairman, arranged to have OPA Director, Bill Rakow present the plans for the new Ocean Pines Community Center to the Kiwanis membership, for which there currently is a referendum in progress. Members, many of whom are Ocean Pines residents, were afforded the opportunity to ask questions and express any concerns. The mission of Kiwanis is "Serving the Children of the World" and entails a great deal of fundraising through local events in Ocean Pines using facilities like the Community Hall for the three Annual Pancake Breakfasts, the Annual Italian Dinner, the Annual German Dinner, and various other events. Therefore, the new Community Center, which will replace the old Community Hall, if the referendum passes, is of great interest to the club. It was a pleasure to hear from Bill Rakow who is pictured being thanked by the club's President, Ed Schafer, on his right.
Kiwanis Duck Race is a Success In spite of miserable weather, due to Tropical Storm Hanna, on September 6th, albeit, fit only for a DUCK, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City managed to hold their Annual Duck Race on Sunday the 7th at Frontiertown under much better conditions. The top prize of $1500 was won by 10 year old Bryce Punsalem, grandson of Kiwanis member, Bud Breidenstein. Bryce's mother bought the winning ticket for her son. Pictured are Kiwanis members releasing the ducks at the starting line and catching them at the finish gate. Funds raise from the event will be used to fund two of the five annual scholarships awarded to deserving local high school senior students to further their educations. Thanks to all for your support! See you in 2009.
Kiwanis Donates To Children Oriented Organizations " Serving the Children of the World" is the mission of Kiwanis. At the weekly Wednesday meeting, donations were made to two organizations. Pictured above right are Wayne Littleton of Believe in Tomorrow accepting a $250 check from Kiwanis Club President, Ed Schaefer, on the right. Donations like this help to make it possible for Believe in Tomorrow to bring seven families with sick children per week during the summer to the Children's House By the Sea in Ocean City, Maryland. Also pictured below right is Ron Thompson, a Kiwanis member, and a member of the Ocean Pines Players, accepting a $300 check from Kiwanis Club President , Ed Schaefer, on the right, for the Children's Theater which is a part of the OP Players. Thanks to the continuing support of the community, funds are raised to support these donations. The next fundraiser is the October 11th Kiwanis Fall Pancake Breakfast at the Community Church on Rt. 589, from 7 AM until 11 AM. Cost is still only $5 for Adults, $3 for Children under 12 and Free for Children under 5. Tickets are available in advance from any Kiwanis member or by calling 410-208-4181 or at the door on October 11th. We hope to see you there.
Ocean City Police Department Utilizes Kiwanis Child Car Seat Safety Stickers The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City developed and distributed Child Car Seat Safety Stickers since 2006 for which Kiwanis International recognized the effort with an award that year. The stickers have been supplied to schools, local Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff" Department, Ocean Pines Police and Fire Departments, Ocean City Police Department and various other organizations dealing with children. The mission of Kiwanis is "Serving the Children of the World", and this program fits the bill. The sticker is a self adhesive and has space for parents to fill in the name, age, address and an pertinent medical information about the child, so that, in the event of an accident where the parent/driver is unable to provide information to rescuers or police, the information is readily available to assist in treatment for the child. Recently, the Ocean City Police Department had one of their Child Safety Seat Installation Days where parents are able to have the OCPD show them how to properly install their child's car seats. OCPD Public Affairs Officer, Michael Levy, pictured with Kiwanis past president, Al Kastner on the left, who was instrumental in getting the Child Car Seat Safety Sticker Project started and implemented, while President Ed Schadfer looks on to his right, attended the September 24th weekly meeting and reported to the club that 35 car seats were properly installed by the Ocean City Police Department and every car seat had a Kiwanis Child Safety Sticker on it. The yellow sticker has become a part of the OCPD Program, for which the parents and children can be thankful. Thank You Ocean City Police Department for using the stickers to help make children more safe. The stickers are always available at the front desk at the Ocean City Police Department or by contacting Officer Levy at 410-723-6665. Stickers are also available at the other locations as mentioned above.
Kiwanis Donates to Local McGuffey Bookworm Club Pictured from left to right are members of the local McGuffey Bookworm Club accepting a donation of $350 from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City for books and bags for local school children: Diane McGraw, Chair for Funding; Linda Dearing, Programs Chair; Merilee Horvat, President-Friends Worcester County Commission for Women; and John E. Schaefer, President of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City
Kiwanis Donates to Interfaith Caregivers The mission of Kiwanis is "Serving the Children of the World", but Kiwanis, being a community service organization, also assists in services to other than children, as exemplified by their manning of the Meals on Wheels Program for the Berlin Senior Center, the Senior Chores Program for Ocean Pines residents, and manning Bingo for seniors at the Berlin Nursing Home. On September 24th at the weekly meeting, a donation of $500 was made to Reverend David Herr for the Interfaith Caregivers, which he directs. Reverend Herr, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City, is pictured receiving the donation from Kiwanis Club President, Ed Schaefer. Interfaith Caregivers provides transportation for the elderly to and from medical appointments and is totally dependent on donations to fund the service
Kiwanis To Hold Annual German Dinner Fundraiser November 2nd Kum Esse (Come Eat) as some Germans say! Hopefully that's just what the community will do when the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City holds it's Annual German Dinner Fundraiser on Sunday November 2nd at the Ocean Pines Country Club. Pictured are some of the German Dinner Committee finalizing plans: (L to R) Corky Widerman, Celeste Dove, Jim Spicknall, Charlotte Cathell, and Ralph Chinn. There will be only two seatings: 4 PM and 6 PM, as seating is limited to 160 each seating. Therefore, RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Please call Kiwanian Ralph Chinn at 410-208-6719 NOW . When seatings are sold out, as they have been in the past, the only way to get the delicious authentic German food will be by carryout. Adults are $18. Children 12 and under are $5. Proceeds go to the Kiwanis Scholarship Fund which awards scholarships annually to deserving local high school senior students to further their educations. The German Dinner will be buffet style with Table Assistance. There will be a Cash Bar. The traditional menu will include: Sauerbraten, Home-made Potato Dumplings, Green Beans, Red Cabbage, Sauerkraut and Bratwurst, Applesauce, Pumpernickel and Rye Bread, Coffee and Tea, German Chocolate Cake or Fruit Cocktail. So, Kum Esse!
Kiwanis Hears About Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Pictured is local resident Andrea Barnes who served as President of the MSO (Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra) for the last four years, with Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City President, Ed Schaefer as she addressed Kiwanis members as the guest speker at the weekly meeting at the Ocean Pines Country Club.. She may be the past president, but she's still out there actively promoting the MSO, a wonderful cultural experience for those who live on the Eastern Shore. The MSO performs five times a year in three venues on the Eastern Shore: Easton, Maryland, Ocean Pines, Maryland (at the Community Church on Rt. 589), and in Oceanview, Delaware. Visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org for more information about concerts and various ticket plans and memberships or call 410-289-3440 in Ocean City/MD or toll-free at 1-888-846-8600.