The Kiwanis Club of Swainsboro held its weekly meeting, Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at the Rustic Grille at 7:00 p.m. with President Tammy Allen presiding, and 30 members in attendance including 4 guests: Austin Henry, Calder Ward, Erin Ward and Holly Hattaway.
The sour-cream pound cake, donated by Dess Smith III and baked by Ginny Smith, was won by Jill Briercheck. The Domino's pizza donated by Domino's Pizza was won by Austin Henry. The pastry assortment donated by Dianna Wedincamp was won by Jane Durden. The program for the evening was presented by Emanuel County School Superintendent Scotty Hattaway. Hattaway presented a program about an initiative in the school system in a partnership with Central Georgia United Way. He noted that less than 50% of third graders in Emanuel County read at grade level. Factors affecting this include many students not having a Pre-K experience, the education level of the parents, and the lack of a financial base for the family. The program will be asking for volunteers to mentor students. It will use a program from the United Way in Bulloch County to recruit AARP members and 18+ volunteers to deliver the READ2Success program. Program training will be made available to the volunteers to carry out the specific curriculum which will target the middle quartile of 3rd grade students. The goal is to increase the number of students reading at grade level and lead to success in high school and career success. Chair Petite Garrett's weekly "Kiwanis member Spotlight" was on Kiwanian Mary Ellen Smith. Mer Mer to her nieces and nephews, Mary Ellen has lived in Swainsboro all her life. She played the flute in the SHS Band of Gold. Her hobbies include reading, painting by numbers, and organizing parades for Kiwanis. She has worked at the Emanuel Medical Center for over 14 years and her favorite TV show is "Rosanne". She has a special place in her heart for her dog Rosie and enjoys Baby Ruth’s and Nestle's Crunch bars.
