Weekly News – Feb 26, 2025

Our speakers this week are Tonya Stinson, Ingrid Gilbert, and Chanatel Bacon with Go Farmington. Their recent FarmingtonOnly.com campaign won the marketing award for Most Innovative Campaign. They were up against tough competition such as Meow Wolf and Visit Albuquerque.  The Visitors Center in Farmington is doing great things for our community by bringing in lots of tourism.  They will show slides so we can see some of the activities promoting Farmington.

Mike Lewis, Farmington Airport Manager was our speaker last week. Mike gave an informative and interesting presentation on Farmington’s new airline.

Club Elections-are April 17.  If you are interested in serving in one of these positions, please let President Nikki or Jill-Secretary know.

2 Director Positions-2 Year Terms  (Chris Troyer has submitted his name)   

1-Community Director-1 Year Term

I attended a Zoom meeting for New Mexico Children’s Foundation on Tuesday.  They have supported Kiwanis Clothes for Kids through their grant program. They said normally the grant cycle is 3 years and then the nonprofit holds out a year. They told me to apply again and perhaps they’d fund us again.  Nov 5 and 6 is the date this year for Clothes for Kids. NM Children’s Foundation members said they would like to come and volunteer with some of our programs.  Kiwanis fundraisers help support Clothes for Kids, along with grants, as we try to raise $30,000 each fall to help elementary children with new school clothes.

2^ndAnnual Forks and Corks For Friends is Kiwanis next fundraiser at Triple J Ranch. This will be a great time for all.  Nikki is working with Susan Furry on a possible May 1 date. The Ranch setting will be a perfect location for this Kiwanis fun fundraiser.

 Farmington Chamber of Commerce Business to Business Expo will be held at Farmington Civic Center on Friday, April 4.  Kiwanis has a booth at the Expo. Nikki, Jill, and Lori have volunteered to help in booth but more are needed so we can share Kiwanis with others. Let us know if you can come for a few hours from 9am to 1pm for this fun and interesting time.

Kiwanis has a new local Artist, Mike Foster! Please read the attachment for all the details about where you can view his artwork and dates.  Yes, his artwork is available for sale at reasonable prices.

Kiwanis is a member of Visit Farmington (Farmington Visitors and Convention Center).  Visit Farmington’s annual meeting is April 29 at Farmington Civic Center. There’s no charge but reservations are required. If want to attend, email me and I’ll be happy to make your reservations when I make mine.  Tonya and Ingrid are our speakers tomorrow and they can answer your questions.

May 9 is Scholastic Books for Kids at McKinley Elementary- Cody Cornyer is Chairman. Volunteers will be needed to put labels in books and to help with distribution.