Here is a letter from the president of the Aktion Club of Sonora: "Dear Kiwanis Family House, Greetings from AKTION CLUB OF GREATER SONORA! We have some exciting news for you. As a club we have chosen Kiwanis Family House as the recipient of our fundraising luncheon. We raised $138.00 through having a "Sloppy Joes" luncheon in January, 2013. Twice a year we choose a non-profit organization and have a benefit luncheon or bake sale for that organization. We chose the Kiwanis Family House because we believe that your great work in … [Read more...]

While the ongoing Kiwanis Family House (KFH) recognition program honors our visionary founders Leona and Vern Bright, each individual Bright Award honors an individual, club, division, district, or organization that has exemplified service to Kiwanis and community. Division 46 Lieutenant Governor Terry McGrath, Bright #54, is one such deserving individual. Given Terry’s life-long commitment to community service, the January 16th award presentation in Modesto would have been moving enough on its own merits.  But, the luncheon event was … [Read more...]

Lori J. Butler, Executive Director and Secretary for the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis International, paid her first visit to the Kiwanis Family House (KFH) on November 20, 2012. House Director Dan Germain provided Lori with a tour of the facility, shared stories with her about the many lives touched in the 28 years of the KFH service, and presented her with a classic red KFH polo shirt.  Mr. Germain shares his observations about Lori’s visit in his column in the Kiwanis House Talk Newsletter. Lori previously served as … [Read more...]

Seventh grade students from Capital Christian Middle School paid their annual visit to the Kiwanis Family House on Friday, October 5. The hard-working volunteers washed windows, weeded planters, and performed various indoor housekeeping chores during their two-hour work party. As always, these efforts contributed to the comfort of the guests staying at the KFH. "This group of students represented Capital Christian Middle School in the finest way and we always value the difference they make here," commented House Director Dan Germain. … [Read more...]

The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln sponsored a bedroom at the House for $25,000! Thank you to every Kiwanis Family member and club that has stepped up to help the Kiwanis Family House (KFH) this year.  Both Kiwanis International and the California-Nevada-Hawaii District allowed us to show case the Kiwanis Family House by asking us to do seminars at their conventions. The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln sponsored a bedroom at the House for $25,000 payable over 5 years and challenged others to follow. The Kiwanis Club of Carmichael has met the … [Read more...]

Educator Robert Tabares was presented with the 51st Bright Award by KFH Board President! The Kiwanis Family House board developed the Bright Award to honor Individuals, Kiwanis Clubs, Divisions, Districts, and Organizations. It is named after the co-founders of the Kiwanis Family House, the late Vernon Bright and his wife, the late Leona Bright. The occasion was entitled “Mr. T. Spaghetti Feed.”  Robert Tabares is a high school teacher in the Elk Grove Unified School District in California. He served as the Key Club Advisor in … [Read more...]

August 8th was a "Big Deal" day for the Kiwanis Family House and the Roseville/Rocklin Acktion Club! The Aktion Club was accepted as a member club sponsor of the Kiwanis Family House, the first Acktion Club to become a sponsor club.  Many thanks to the club officers and their club advisors! In the Picture: Front Row: Left to Right Stacy Stockwell, Secretary - Roseville/Rocklin Aktion Club Stacy Clark, Treasurer - Roseville/Rocklin Aktion Club Vanessa Romant, President Elect - Roseville/Rocklin Aktion Club Yafeu Berryman, President … [Read more...]

Representatives from Wells Fargo Bank paid their annual visit to the Kiwanis Family House on May 11 to bake cookies for the KFH guests.  The baking team spent the better part of the day producing more than 30 dozen cookies. … [Read more...]

On April 17, Community Link Capital Region highlighted the Kiwanis Family House as one of its 2012 People Helping People Awards recipients.  KFH Board President Bill Hooper and House Director Dan Germain attended the 24th Annual People Helping People Awards Luncheon at Sacramento’s Woodlake Inn.  The event recognizes those “who make a difference in our community and inspire us all to find ways to volunteer and serve more.” Community Link Capital Region stated this about the business, individual, and non-profit nominees:  This … [Read more...]

Kiwanis Family House is my strongest tie to the organization I love and without Leona there would not be a House. Leona's vision of realizing the need for Kiwanis Family House and her directive to Vern "that you Kiwanians need to do something about this" referring to families of patients at the hospital sleeping in cars, on the floors of rooms or in the waiting rooms is the reason we have a Family House and can serve over a hundred families a month. She saw a need and believed Kiwanis could change things. Vern bought into the vision and sold … [Read more...]