TIMES-REPUBLICAN

The regular meeting of the Kiwanis P.M. met at O’Hungry’s. President Gary Mason called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. There was much discussion about the damage done at the West-End Park and how to proceed with our mowing and the clean up. There is damage to trees and tundra that will need to be addressed and replaced, the club will do its best to support the Parks program with labor.

Peggy Lamb then introduced the speaker First Ward Councilman Sue Cahill. Cahill shared some first hand stories concerning her own experiences and others in the areas of town that were hardest hit by the recent tornado. In so many cases the people that lost the most were those that could least afford to loose anything, low income, elderly and those on a fixed incomes. She shared that almost immediately her social media lit up with questions from friends and family across the states asking about her safety and wanting to know how they could help. She shared that a simple donation of a gift card for a grocery store or Walmart to give a boost to someone in need for groceries, personal care items or medication was a simple and meaningful way to say we care. Cahill has been overwhelmed by the response.

Marshalltown, being given a state of emergency from the State, has been given funding for families and business that will help in bringing the town back bigger and better. What we all must remember is that this will not be something that will happen in the next month or even the next year and can only happen a step at a time. Working together we will be Marshalltown Strong.

The meeting continued with condolences offered to Martha Edgeton for the lose of her brother. Ted reminded us that we are to gather names for the membership drive that will take place in the fall for all three clubs. The next meeting will be a board meeting at Pizza Ranch at 7 p.m. on Aug. 8.