Items in the dental bags
Kiwanis Club Provides Dental Information to Elementary School Students
The Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch partners with the Denton Noon Kiwanis Club to provide dental bags to students in Denton elementary schools. In addition to some dental supplies, these bags provide important information for the students to learn about the Children’s Clinic in Denton, operated by the Noon Kiwanis Club.
Established in 1921, the Denton Noon Kiwanis Club gave out Christmas stockings to children in need. Members soon noticed many of the children had medical needs.
In 1925 the club started the Children’s Clinic. Throughout the years, the clinic was located in rented buildings all over Denton. In 2010 the club was able to buy a building and now has a permanent site for the Children’s Clinic at 1001 N. Elm Street in Denton.
The clinic provides dental, medical, and prescription drug services to children in need. Now, it also provides vision services (exams and eyeglasses). About four years ago, the club partnered with Denton ISD to provide mental health services for the children in the district.
Most of the referrals are from school nurses. The majority of the services are for dental problems. By the time the children come to the clinic, their mouths are in bad shape. There have been times when children have needed various types of help. One of the children had cerebral palsy and was given a wheelchair. Another child was provided with a scooter to help with their broken foot.
During COVID-19, 2,250 children from Denton elementary schools were provided with dental bags. This year the club recognized Hodge Elementary School as the school that was in need in Denton. The Robson Ranch Kiwanis Club provided 750 dental bags to all the students pre-K through 5th grade. Thanks to John Derry for assembling the 750 bags in his garage!
Kiwanis Club to Host Wreaths Across America
The Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch will host Wreaths Across America wreath sales this fall. Wreaths will be designated to be placed on veterans’ graves at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Wreath sales will be held in November in the clubhouse lobby. For a $17 donation per wreath, you can be part of this great tradition in remembering our veterans. Below is some information on the history of Wreaths Across America:
Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine, was a 12-year-old paperboy when he won a trip to Washington, D.C. He will never forget his first trip to our nation’s capital, and Arlington National Cemetery made an indelible impression on him. This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career as a wreath maker, reminding him that his good fortune was due in large part to the values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
In 1992 Mr. Worcester had a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country’s veterans. With the aid of former Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.
The annual tribute went on quietly until 2005 when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated the web. Suddenly, the project received national attention. Thousands of requests poured in from people wanting to help with Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project at their national and state cemeteries, or to share their stories and thank Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes.
Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Worcester sent seven wreaths to every state, one for each military branch and one for POW/MIA. In 2006, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at over 150 locations nationwide.
In 2007 the Worcester family, along with veterans and other groups and individuals who had helped with their annual veterans wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, to continue and expand this effort and support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same. The yearlong mission of the organization is simple: Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
In 2023 Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed over three million veterans’ wreaths at 4,225 participating locations in the United States and beyond. This feat was accomplished with help from more than three million volunteers across the country, a third of whom were children.
National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Left to right: Gerard Hudspeth, Mayor of Denton, Texas, and Barbara Leurig, president of the Kiwanis Club
Kiwanis Enjoys Presentation from Denton Mayor Hudspeth
Barbara Leurig introduced Gerard Hudspeth, the Mayor of Denton, Texas, and a fellow Kiwanis member, at the Denton Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
The Mayor had an enthusiastic and enlightening presentation about the City of Denton. He covered many topics about the operation of the City of Denton. Some highlights were:
• The Mayor reviewed the city form of government, the structure of the city departments, and the role of many Advisory Board opportunities for residents to volunteer to serve on.
• He explained the role of the City Council members and their districts.
• In his presentation, there were very interesting links to websites available about City Council meetings, interactive maps to learn about new projects around Denton, and many other sources of city information.
• Nearly 1,900 city employees provide services at Denton Municipal Electric, Water and Wastewater, Solid Waste and Recycling, and other departments, including the Airport, Development Services, Public Works, Police and Fire Departments, Library, Economic Development, and more!
• The Mayor covered the City Values, Strategic Plan, and the 2025 City Budget.
• He concluded with updates on new city projects and events for the upcoming year.
The Kiwanis Club members always enjoy the Mayor’s visits to our meetings and appreciate the work he does for our community.
Left to right: Susan Frank, founder and executive director of Hearts for Homes, and Barbara Leurig, Kiwanis Club president
Kiwanis Club Briefed on Hearts for Homes
Barbara Leurig introduced Susan Frank, the founder and executive director of Hearts for Homes. The club made a donation.
Susan provided an overview of Hearts for Homes’ history and operations. Their mission is “Improving the living conditions of low-income senior homeowners in Denton County.” Established in 2006, Hearts for Homes coordinates with local agencies, churches, elderly service providers, and community groups to identify low-income, elderly homeowners needing assistance.
Hearts for Homes is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christian outreach ministry that provides no-cost home repairs to low-income, elderly homeowners in Denton County. It is a volunteer-driven organization that receives funding solely through private donations, foundation grants, and fundraising events.
Over the 18 years, Hearts for Homes has grown from assisting 14 households annually to over 100 now. Hearts for Homes establishes long-term relationships with senior residents who typically have incomes of $1,000 per month and need extra help, particularly with the upkeep of their homes. It takes almost 3,000 hours of volunteer time annually to help these seniors.
Plumbing problems such as leaks, clogs, and tub-to-shower conversions are at the top of the list of needed repairs. Air conditioning and heating system updates and repairs are vital to residents’ health, and, thankfully, a local contractor donates most of the system repairs and updates. Roof repairs and occasional replacement are also provided. A local business donates most of this work. As many seniors live in mobile homes, the list of repairs includes many other items, all urgent and necessary for their safety and well-being.
On a few occasions where the existing home was no longer repairable, Hearts for Homes has replaced two mobile homes and built one conventional home with the help of the local community for donations of materials and funding. They are about to finish a fourth home replacement, which is a mobile home.
Hearts for Homes is fortunate to have the support of local businesses and the community for some of the major projects. This support is a testament to the caring and compassionate nature of our community. Still, it needs private donations and help to continue addressing the increasing needs of many elderly residents in Denton County. Your involvement is crucial to their success. The ways our community can help are as follows:
• Volunteer on home repair projects
• Provide food for work days
• Donate $$$ to purchase building materials
• Donate Lowe’s or Home Depot gift cards
• Adopt an entire project
• Work in the office
• Volunteer on a committee
• Promote Hearts for Homes within your church
• Host a fundraiser
• Mention Hearts for Homes on your website
• Accept the $25 Challenge and pledge $25 a month to support Hearts for Homes
• Join the prayer team to intercede for Hearts for Homes
Please see their website at www.heartsforhomes.org for more information.