Tuesday, May 29, marked the date for a joint meeting with Rotary.  Club President, Tom Ketelaar, opened the meeting on behalf of the Club as hosts to Rotary.

      We were made aware, either through Tom or from other information, of a number of upcoming events.  June 17 will be QC Kiwanis Day at Modern Woodmen Park.  Tickets to watch the Bandits are available.  Please contact Tom if you would be interested.

      Tom also reminded us of the Club's bags tournament, which will be held September 15.  Adam Bain will be the point of contact for this.  Contact Adam if you'd be interested in assisting in preparation for this event.

      Tom next presented proceeds to Rotary of the amounts payable to that club in consideration for its participation in the Kiwanis Rose Day sales.

      A flier on each table reminded us of the Atkinson Interclub to be held June 13.  This will be the annual rolle bolle fest, so dust off your favorite bolle and get going with your special rolle bolle exercises.

      Chris Elsberg reminded us of the First Day Fund in which she, Gary Miner and other Club members will be participating.  Contact Chris if you'd be able to participate in this very successful and meaningful project.

      Gene Smith wasn't available to give his pitch for Birdies for Charity, but even in his absence, there was that eerie feeling of his spirit filling the room.

      In Fun and Fellowship, the Kartel won the preliminary prize and also won the opportunity to go for the grand prize which wiley Club Secretary, Mike Bell, was able to wrest away from Bob Wakefield

The Feature Attraction

      The program was given by Patty Christianson from the VA Homeless Outreach Center at Rock Valley Plaza.  Patty began by sharing her credentials as a certified social worker in homeless and substance abuse.  She next gave a general overview of the facility, which includes a laundry, food pantry, showers, a computer room, and counseling area.  The Center generally serves all veterans with other than a dishonorable discharge, although exceptions are sometimes made based on the individual circumstances.  The procedure for accessing assistance at the Center is to provide a DD-214 to verify veteran status.  There is a VA clinic in Bettendorf for basic outpatient services.  VA provides transportation, to the extent possible, to the Iowa City VA Hospital.  The Center calls on a variety of public and private resources to support its efforts.  Patty summarized her work at the Center as taking the veteran off the street, treating the veteran's problems, re-orienting the veteran to lifestyle, assisting in finding employment, and getting the veteran back on his or her feet.