Natomas Service Organizations Give Back to Community

Natomas Kiwanis clean a room the club adopted at the Kiwanis Family House. / Courtesy Photo

BY KALLIE PROVENCHER, INTERN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Every Thursday morning a group of dedicated Natomas Kiwanis meet for breakfast and to discuss how they can give back to the community.

The Natomas Kiwanis, for example, handmade holiday cards to send to the troops for the holidays.

Natomas Kiwanis regularly make and sends cards to military troops.

“Isn’t this a great project to recognize our troops?” said Kiwanis project coordinator Susan Wilson.

Wilson said Kiwanis’ annual projects include donating books to the north and south Natomas library branches, making trauma dolls for patients at UC Davis and Shriners hospitals, and maintaining a room at the Kiwanis Family House.

“Kiwanis family provides temporary housing for families of seriously ill or injured patients,” she said.

The Natomas Kiwanis plans to hold a crab feed on Feb. 22 to raise funds for all of the group’s community projects.

The Natomas Kiwanis have a small group of about six people, but are a part of the 150 member Kiwanis group of Greater Sacramento.

“It’s a pretty lively group. I look forward to having people visit us,” Wilson said.

The Kiwanis meet 7:30 a.m. Thursday mornings at Coco’s at 1830 Arden Way. Annual dues are $140.

For more information about Kiwanis go to www.greatersackiwanis.com.

Rotary Club of Natomas

Ken Fong, president of the Natomas Rotary Club, said the group looks for projects people may need help with, and not just fund raising.

That includes Stanford Settlement’s annual food and toy drive Operation Cratchit. Rotary members helped sort food and distribute it to those in need.

“We send a box of food to low-income seniors in the area,” Fong said.

Ongoing projects include helping with gardening and events at Stanford Settlement, an annual high school speech contest, an annual dictionary give-a-away for elementary students, and raise money for cancer research.

“We participate in the annual Relay for Life walk and raise money for The American Cancer Society,” said Fong. “We’ve done so for the past six years.”

The club holds meetings 7 a.m. Fridays at the Hampton Inn at 3021 Advantage Way.

To join Rotary, prospective members must be recommended by a current member and approved by a club vote. There is an annual membership fee, which varies from chapter to chapter, and an additional $10 fee per meeting.

For more information on the Natomas Rotary club, check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/NatomasRotary.

Knights of Columbus at Divine Mercy Catholic Church

Brother Knights prepped, installed, did electrical work and built the decking for three portable buildings at Divine Mercy Church.

The Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Brian Kelly said the fraternal organization supports both the church and the community.

The Natomas chapter collect coats, gloves and scarves every November and December to donate to Coats For Kids.

“We try to get it to them (in time for) for Christmas,” Kelly said.

Knights of Columbus recently assisted Our Lady of Lourdes church provide about 500 Thanksgiving dinners for those in need and collected $1,100 for Intellectual Disabilities during an awareness drive in front of Walmart. Other projects include collecting glasses and giving out free eye exams as well as raising money for the church and scholarships.

Prospective members must be male, in good standing with the church and submit an information card. The Knights then vote to approve membership.

Knights of Columbus membership costs an annual $35 fee. Meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at Divine Mercy Church at 2231 Club Center Dr.

For more information, contact Divine Mercy Church at (916) 256-3134, or visit www.divinemercynatomas.com/.

Sons of Italy Milano Lodge

Flavors of Milano Lodge cookbook

The Italian-American organization that has been in Natomas for nearly five years, according to lodge president Daena Biondi.

The organization supports Italian culture, nonprofits and donates to disaster relief funds, such as the Hurricane Katrina fund.

Members recently submitted Italian recipes for a cookbook published by the lodge and being sold a fundraiser for earthquake victims in Italy.

The books can be purchased online, from a club member or at Hair Phases International for $10.

“I want to make a donation as soon as I can,” Biondi said.

The club meets 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at Round Table Pizza at 3290 Arena Blvd. The annual dues to join the lodge are $60 and there is a $15 fee for each meeting.

For more information about the lodge, or to purchase a cookbook, visit www.osiamilanolodge2854.com.

Cleaning the Natomas Kiwanis club’s room at the Kiwanis Family House is usually done once a year and includes fresh paint, carpets cleaned and other replacements. / Courtesy Photo