Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch Enjoys Presentation from Scouting America

At a recent Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch meeting, members heard an inspiring message from Max Duvall. Max, an Eagle Scout and District Executive of the Scouting America Longhorn Council, shared the organization’s purpose and what it needs to achieve it. Their purpose is to prepare young people for ethical and moral choices by instilling the Scout Oath and Law Values. As the organization is growing, assistance is needed in the following areas: partnerships, sponsorships and donations, and volunteering directly or indirectly to spread the word.

The Longhorn Council, Scouting America, serves 23 counties in north and central Texas around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and as far south as Belton! Scouting America gives kids the chance to discover who they are while building confidence, friendships, and real-life skills in a fun and supportive environment. From outdoor adventures and hands-on activities to leadership opportunities and community service, Scouting helps young people grow into capable, caring individuals. Families love Scouting because it creates meaningful experiences they can share while encouraging kids to try new things, challenge themselves, and make memories that last a lifetime.

For more information, please see the website: www.longhorncouncil.org.

Get Ready for Nighttime Kiwanis Club Classic Bingo

The Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch is excited to announce that the next Classic Bingo will be on Tuesday night, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The Kiwanis Club has a Texas Charitable Bingo license, which allows it to award cash prizes to Bingo game winners. At most Bingos, 20 or more people win cash prizes for winning in the Bingo games, and another 17 people win door prizes! It’s so much fun to hear the shouts of “Bingo” when someone has the winning pattern. Recently, the Sept. 27 Bingo was a sell-out with spirited competition to win the prizes.

Janice Quick, a Kiwanis member and experienced Bingo caller, engages the players in each game and ensures a fun Bingo experience. She creates a variety of Bingo card winning patterns to keep the games interesting. Many Kiwanis Club members help organize the event.

Bingo is a major fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club, and 100% of the proceeds go to local charities that support children and families in Denton County. Kiwanis members enjoy sharing a fun evening with friends and neighbors. We appreciate everyone’s generosity and participation and know it helps improve the lives of kids and families in Denton County.

Uplifting Presentation from Denton County 4-H

The Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch recently heard a very uplifting presentation from members of Denton County 4-H. Steven Baringer is the County Extension Agent and was accompanied by Ashley Davis from the Silver Saddle 4-H Club. Two students made the presentation. One is a Texas 4-H Equine Ambassador, while the other is a Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador. Both are homeschooled high schoolers who travel throughout the state advocating for Texas 4-H, the equine industry, and health and wellness. Locally, they are President and Vice President of the Silver Saddle 4-H Club and Denton County 4-H Ambassadors, where they share what the program is all about, how to mentor youth, and how to serve the community through various activities. It was very encouraging to witness the young presenters with their excitement about their roles in 4-H.

Denton County currently has 356 4-H members. 4-H focuses on youth development, leadership preparation, community service, and career preparation. Ways to support or help include donations, volunteering, sponsorship, project leadership, and helping spread the word.

Denton County has over 40 Clubs and Project Groups. Over 15,000 youth are reached each year, with over 100 volunteers assisting.

If you’re interested in helping the organization, please reach out to Steven Baringer at steven.baringer@ag.tamu.edu, the County Extension Agent. The Texas A and M AgriLife Extension Service supports the 4-H Program.

For more information about 4-H, see the link: www.denton4h.org.

Kiwanis Club Hears Foster Village DFW Presentation

Alix Kerr from Foster Village DFW presented a heartwarming update on Foster Village DFW’s operations at a recent Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch meeting.

Over 2,000 foster children live in Denton, Dallas, Tarrant, and Wise Counties. Eighty percent suffer from PTSD or depression. Most families foster for less than a year due to burnout. Foster Village DFW provides the following services for foster homes: Equip—foster families and aged-out youth, Connect—host gatherings for parents and caregivers, and Advocate. The exciting news Alix shared is that they just leased a home to use for counseling, storage, and other needs.

Foster parents often feel tired and alone. Most families foster for less than a year, citing burnout and lack of support as the reason they stop. At the same time, 85 percent of people who are not foster parents say they care about vulnerable children and want to help.

Foster Village bridges this gap between foster families and caregivers and those who want to help, meeting practical needs and providing holistic support beyond the system.

They help do this through three main programs:

Equipping Caregivers With Support

When a child is placed with a family, they often arrive with just the clothes on their back. Through Foster Village, families and children can get clothing, new beds and infant gear, toiletries, and other necessities—completely free.

Connecting Families to Each Other

Foster families are often navigating a complex system and challenges that are unique to caring for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and family separation. They need to know they are not alone and to feel encouraged by others on the same journey. By connecting foster families with other foster families, biological families, and trusted resources, they strengthen and empower families to be a steadfast source of healing and safety for the children in their care.

Advocating for Change in the System

Foster care is a messy solution to a messy reality. We believe the path to restoration is a safe and supportive community beyond the system. Foster Village upholds the inherent dignity of every child and family, understands the root causes of children entering the foster care system, facilitates relationships between foster and biological families, and replicates villages of support around the nation. We inform and engage the community by elevating the voices and stories of those with lived experience. At Foster Village, they raise awareness of the greatest needs and bridge those gaps so every family can thrive.

By caring for caregivers, Foster Village sustains foster families and empowers generations of vulnerable children and families to overcome adversity.

Please see their website at: www.fostervillagedfw.org.

Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch Hosting 2026 Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a national event held on Dec. 19 of this year to place wreaths on the graves of our veterans.

We honor all veterans by placing fresh balsam wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s service members. Fresh evergreens have been used for centuries as a symbol of honor and as a living tribute renewed annually. We want people to see the tradition as a living memorial to veterans and their families. Wreaths are delivered directly to the cemetery.

Wreaths Across America is being hosted again this year by the Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch. Members will have a table for residents to order wreaths in the clubhouse lobby on Mondays and Wednesdays during November, from Monday, Nov. 2 through Wednesday, Nov. 18. You can also use the website link: Wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1457P to purchase directly from the Kiwanis Wreaths Across America site.

You can sponsor a wreath for $17. The primary cemetery for our local wreaths will be the Dallas—Fort Worth Veterans Cemetery, which has the greatest number of veteran graves in the area. You can also designate a different cemetery to honor a family member or friend there.

For questions, contact Randy Blackburn at cw3blackburn@sbcglobal.net or Ed Ahrens at Ahrens956@gmail.com.