Down at the Morgan Hill Grange, 23 pairs of hands gesture, wave
and scribble notes as the local Kiwanis Club plans their next
venture. Those hands have hung flags downtown, strung up the
Christmas lights, taken donations and given aid, and they are the
club’s most valuable asset, said president Mary Lou Conragen.
By Megan Glenn
Down at the Morgan Hill Grange, 23 pairs of hands gesture, wave and scribble notes as the local Kiwanis Club plans their next venture.
Those hands have hung flags downtown, strung up the Christmas lights, taken donations and given aid, and they are the club’s most valuable asset, said president Mary Lou Conragen.
“We offer hands where people need hands,” Conragen said. “We do a lot of odd chores for a lot of groups.”
Those chores include helping out with the grad nights for Ann Sobrato and Live Oak high schools and benefits for Dream Power Horsemanship.
And the city’s Chamber of Commerce recognizes their efforts, naming the Kiwanis “Volunteer of the Year” for the 2010 Salute Morgan Hill awards.
While the Kiwanis are probably best known for organizing the annual Holiday Lights Parade, the majority of the club’s work revolves around assisting children and young adults.
For example, the club routinely raises money for “turnaround scholarships” for high school seniors, Conragen said. Students are given about $500 for their first semester of college, and once they demonstrate they have finished and passed their classes, another round of money is awarded.
“The key is to get the kids moving onward,” Conragen said.
The Kiwanis have been operating for about 50 years, Conragen said, adding that one of the original members, Ernie Rusconi, will be accepting the award.
As far as why this year was a winning year for the club, Michele Naylor, the special events coordinator with the chamber, said it was “hard to count the number of things” Kiwanis has done for the city.
“They have not only been doing volunteer work for us, but for so many other organizations,” Naylor said.
Despite all they have done, the Kiwanis are always looking to take on more.
“Our calendar is very full,” Conragen said, with a free senior breakfast in March coming up next.
She added that anyone looking to lend their hands can call 779-1473 or e-mail mh*******@***oo.com.
“Or better yet, just show up at the Grange,” Conragen said, where the club meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m.
What: Salute Awards Dinner
When: Jan. 30
Where: Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center
