The St. James Kiwanis club was awarded the Community Partner of the Year award from the Missouri Head Start Association in Holt Summit, Mo. on Feb. 11.
The award was in recognition of dedication and service to Missouri Head Start children and families.
Caryl Mussig, Kiwanis secretary, noted the club's interaction with Head Start.
“We read to the children once a week and prepare Tot Packs. The Tot Pack food is all purchased through donated money. We are always accepting donations. We spend about $180 per month to fill the packs. We donate every year to Head Start.”
Kiwanis Vice President Jim Highfill explained other Head Start contributions.
“We remodeled and painted the old St. James Head Start building. We also donated the sign at the new building. We provide Head Start family dinners and have assisted some of the families' needs as well. Kids are our most important mission throughout Kiwanis and it's certainly true in St. James.”
Teacher Director of St. James Head Start Gretchen Bauer noted the Kiwanis contributions.
“We appreciate all the St. James Kiwanis does for our program and our families. Without people like this in our community, our program wouldn't be as prosperous.”
The Kiwanis executive board is as follows: Rich Kimerle, president, Jim Highfill, vice president Caryl Mussig, secretary, and Dennis Brady, treasurer.
The St. James Kiwanis meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the Methodist Church. Refreshments are served at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information about Kiwanis contact 573-263-5722.
