To open a chart showing all the families served during January 2012 and their hometowns,  click here.

Families Served by KFH - January 2012

Mr.Germain will be responsible for the daily operations of the House, including oversight of the staff, volunteers, and guests.  Additionally, Mr. Germain will assist the Board of Directors in executing the Strategic Plan, playing an active role in fundraising, grant writing, and outreach to the local community, Kiwanians, and sponsoring Kiwanis Clubs.

Mr. Germain began his Kiwanis affiliation as a member of Circle K International while attending college, and served as Governor of the Cal-Nev-Ha District for one year and Vice President of Circle K International the following year.  He is currently a member of two Kiwanis clubs, East Sacramento-Midtown and Old Mission (Kansas).  A Past Club President of both clubs, Mr. Germain currently serves as an Advisor to the California State University (Sacramento) Circle K Club.   Mr. Germain’s qualifications include 22 years with the California Highway Patrol in various positions including Commander and Assistant Chief, with broad operational and policy responsibilities in the Business Services and Administrative Services Divisions of the CHP.

Most recently, Mr. Germain served 4 years as Chief Operating Officer at Coalition for Independence in Kansas City, Kansas, a non-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities.  In this role, he was responsible for all aspects of the Operations Department, including facilitating business processes, customer service, center accreditations, agency policy development, facilities oversight, occupational safety, and emergency procedures.

In addition to being a long-standing Kiwanis club member and volunteer, Mr. Germain is currently a Board Member of MAAP, Inc., a non-profit agency, and for 20 years served as a coach/volunteer in the Elk Grove Youth Soccer League.

Gary Christensen, who has served as Interim House Director since January 1, 2012, will resume his volunteer position as Development Director after ending his tenure as House Director on March 31st.  In this key role, he will continue to provide fundraising and operational support to help ensure the future success of the Kiwanis Family House.
The Board of Directors is grateful to Mr. Christensen for his service as Interim House Director, and looks forward to the leadership Mr. Germain will provide to the volunteers and staff of the Kiwanis Family House.

The Kiwanis Family House is dedicated to providing temporary housing and support to families of seriously ill or injured children and adults being treated at UC Davis Medical Center and Shriners Hospital in Sacramento.  Originally opened on July 23, 1984, the Kiwanis Family House was built through the efforts of many Kiwanis club volunteers from the Sacramento area in response to the urgent need for temporary housing for families of pediatric patients at the UC Davis Children’s hospital in Sacramento.

The Citrus Heights Kiwanis board of directors unanimously votes to approve personal emergency response system company, Life Connect Home Services’ offer of a monthly charitable contribution to Kiwanis Family House for every customer who mentions Kiwanis at time of purchase.

January 24, 2012 — Sacramento, CA - In response to Kiwanis Family House’s current financial needs, Life Connect Home Services, LLC, which provides personal safety products and solutions, is now donating 10% of all of their monthly monitoring charges from their Kiwanis members directly to the Kiwanis Family House. This is not just a one-time gift, but will continue for the life of the Life Connect Home Services member’s service! It is also not limited to active Kiwanis members, but also to referrals.

Max Woodford, president and CEO of Life Connect Home Services, and Kiwanian, says, “Our hope is that this substantial monthly contribution will help the Kiwanis Family House raise much-needed funds for operation while offering the very best, most affordable personal and home protection for our Kiwanians and their loved ones.”

To raise awareness for Kiwanis Family House and how Life Connect Home Services can help this and other charities, Life Connect Home Services is available for studio interviews or live coverage onsite at Kiwanis Family House.

Praise for the Kiwanis Family House
“To all Kiwanis Family House staff and the volunteers of Kiwanis Family House:  We stayed here for two weeks, including Christmas. If it were not for the Kiwanis Family House, we would not have maintained our sanity. Thank you, thank you for this place and the many volunteers who keep it going. This is an amazing place.”

“We thank Kiwanis House so much for the gracious hospitality that was extended to our family during a very stressful and worrisome time. Staying here has been a great help in allowing us to be near to our son when he needed our support the most.”

About Kiwanis Family House
Kiwanis Family House is dedicated to providing temporary housing and support to families of seriously ill or injured children and adults being treated at the UC Davis Medical Center and Shriner’s Hospital.

About Life Connect Advantage
With the ability to provide protection for your family, with or without a home phone line, LCA has catapulted the personal emergency response system into the 21st century. LCA’s groundbreaking system provides affordable protection not just for seniors, but for anyone who lives alone, caregivers in the home, younger or disabled family members, and people in assisted-living or care facilities. LCA monitors are trained to determine the level of response needed and they work hand in hand with law enforcement and emergency personnel to get immediate assistance to those in need. To learn more about Life Connect Advantage, visit www.lifeconnectadvantage.com or call toll-free at 1-866-516-2787.

Life Connect Home Services, LLC
2377 Gold Meadow Way, Suite 100
Gold River, CA 95670

Contact Person: Max Woodford
Phone: 916-847-0755
Email: mwoodford@lifeconnectadvantage.com

Click here for a printable “Life Connect” flyer

“Own The Clouds: The first Guide to Investing in Cloud Computing Companies”, by Joyce Blonskij

Join all of us from the Kiwanis Family House to celebrate the online book launch for  “Own The Clouds – The First Guide to Investing in Cloud Computing Companies” http://www.owntheclouds.com/, authored by Kiwanis Family House Board Treasurer, and renowned financial advisor, Joyce Blonskij.

Her new book is about finding and investing in technologies that are changing the face of our planet. Just think, had you bought 5-shares of Microsoft for $100 back in 1986 when they went public – you’d have just over $40,000 today. Well, the next huge shift in technology is here and it’s called: Cloud Computing.

“All you old-timers like me, you’re going to embrace tech and clouds after reading this amazing book, so much so, that you’ll be giving it as gifts to everyone you know and care about. I will be giving my kids this book and making sure they read it because it will allow us to work together as we plan for my grandchildren. Own The Clouds should be taught in our schools.”
-Bill Hooper, Retired High School Principal, Orangevale, CA
President of Kiwanis Family House Board of Directors
Trustee of California Nevada Hawaii Kiwanis District of Kiwanis International

But first, please consider becoming a “FRIEND” of Own the Clouds. It’s easy, simple and quick. There is no cost, no traveling is required, and you’ll be doing yourself, your friends, and The Kiwanis Family House a huge service by helping get the word out and inviting others to join our launch party. (Joyce is donating her proceeds to charity.)

As a “FRIEND” of Own the Clouds you’ll receive a set of prepared announcements that are ready to be shared with your family and friends on: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, in newsletters, blog posts, and of course, as an e-mail, which I’ll ask you to send out and post the morning of March 6th. It’s all done for you, just cut and paste, that’s it.

As a thank-you and to recognize you for your help and support, Joyce will list your name and website (optional) on the ”Own the Clouds” party site in a special “Friends” section.

So please consider becoming a “FRIEND” of Own the Clouds and get recognized for your support.  Just click on this link: http://hasmarkservices.com/campaigns/jb.html OR send an email to Jenn at: jenn@hasmarkservices.com” and she’ll help you get signed up.

Thank you so much for your consideration of this project. With your support, much needed funds will be raised for the Kiwanis Family House, not to mention your friends will have a fantastic resource to learn about and discover those cloud computing companies with silver linings through the incredible tips and insights only found in this book.

Be a “FRIEND” of Own the Clouds, and get recognized for your support:  http://hasmarkservices.com/campaigns/jb.html

PARTY DATE: Tuesday MARCH 6th, 2012
TIME: Starting at Midnight (It’s a 24-hour “virtual” book launch party online)
PLACE: http://www.owntheclouds.com/

Purchase a copy of Own the Clouds during our 24-hour party on March 6th from Amazon.com, and come back to Own the Clouds party site, register and receive your FREE party bonus gifts! Bonus gifts are only available during the 24-hour book launch from http://www.owntheclouds.com/

What others are saying about Own The Clouds:

“Awesome book! Growing up in the era when TV’s had rabbit ears, I realize more than ever that technology is here to stay and evolving. This book has given me a way to move into the future. At last, I feel less like a greenhorn and more like a pro. Thank you Own The Clouds.”
-Lynne P. Thomson, Past President, The Kiwanis Club of Placerville
The Prouty Ranch historic site on the Pony Express Route, Placerville, CA

“This first of its kind book is going to make a difference in your life, and the lives of others. When you purchase of copy of Own The Clouds a portion of the authors proceeds is donated to support sick and hungry kids, through a variety of charities starting with The Kiwanis Family House, The Ronald McDonald House, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and food banks. I’d callthis a win-win for everyone!”
-Max Woodford, President of Life Connect Advantage, Kiwanis Club of Citrus Heights

“Own the Clouds provides a step-by-step roadmap for finding technology companies that even non-technical folks can follow…a valuable guide for us all.”
-Rita Beall, SVP Central Operations Manager, River City Bank
Board of Director for The Kiwanis Family House, and Vice President Greater Sacramento Kiwanis Club

Click on this link now to become a FRIEND of Own the Clouds: http://hasmarkservices.com/campaigns/jb.html

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, December 27, 2011

A long-standing member of the East Sacramento-Midtown Kiwanis club, Mr. Christensen has served as a Past Board President of the Kiwanis Family House from 2002 to 2005, and was instrumental in leading the capital campaign which successfully raised the funds needed to build the current Kiwanis Family House on the campus of the UC Davis Medical Center, which opened in July of 2006.  As the volunteer Development Director, Mr. Christensen has continued to provide fundraising and operational support to help insure the future success of the Kiwanis Family House.

Mauda Butte, currently House Director, will take on the role of Guest Relations Coordinator beginning January 1, 2012.  In this new role, Ms. Butte will be responsible for ensuring that guests of the Kiwanis Family House receive needed services and support during their stay.  Ms. Butte is a longtime member of two Kiwanis Clubs, Sacramento West and KFH, and is a former Lt. Governor for Kiwanis Division 7.

The Kiwanis Family House is dedicated to providing temporary housing and support to families of seriously ill or injured children and adults being treated at UC Davis Medical Center and Shriners Hospital in Sacramento.  Originally opened on July 23, 1984, the Kiwanis Family House was built through the efforts of many Kiwanis club volunteers from the Sacramento area in response to the urgent need for temporary housing for families of pediatric patients at the UC Davis Children’s hospital in Sacramento.
The search for a permanent House Director will begin shortly.

Jennifer, a guest at the Kiwanis Family House, visits baby Erica at the UC Davis Medical Center

The Kiwanis Family House was featured in the Sacramento Bee’s annual Book of Dreams, requesting cash donations for stocking the food closet at the Family House. The story centered on our guest, Jennifer Deshaies and her baby daughter, Erica.

HOW TO DONATE

To contribute use this online form or print the donation form and mail it to The Sacramento Bee Book of Dreams Fund, 2100 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95816. If you have additional questions, please call the Book of Dreams line at 916-556-5667. Donations will be accepted through January 13, 2011.

From the Sacramento Bee:

Kiwanis facility provides comfort of home for UCD patients’ families

By Carlos Alcalá
calcala@sacbee.com

Jennifer Deshaies went to a prenatal doctor’s appointment in Redding in August.

She knew her baby had medical problems, but she was in disbelief when they told her it was so severe she’d be taken by ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center.

“I said, ‘Shut up,’ ” Deshaies recalled.

A few minutes later they said, no, she wasn’t going by ambulance. She was going to be flown by airplane.

Deshaies has been in Sacramento since. Needless to say, she didn’t have time to collect her belongings to bring with her.

Not even a toothbrush.

After Erica Zipora Hope Chilton was born at the medical center by Caesarean section Aug. 17, Deshaies moved to Kiwanis Family House – a facility for patients and families at the medical center who don’t have a place to stay in Sacramento.

“If I weren’t here, I’d be sleeping on the lawn at the hospital,” Deshaies said.

Like Deshaies, people often arrive with nothing.

In addition to housing people in 24 rooms, supplemented by RV spaces, the Kiwanis provide toiletries, clothing and food from a food closet for new arrivals. Kiwanis officials have asked Book of Dreams readers to help purchase items to restock their food locker.

The patients and families pay $40 a day for their room if they can afford it.

Deshaies, who had lost her Redding home in foreclosure in recent years, cannot.

Erica – a sign by her bed calls her Princess Zipora – looks every bit the perfect baby, but she is still sick. She is fed Deshaies’ breast milk through a tube in her stomach, because her esophagus doesn’t connect.

She also has a heart defect known as cardiac tetralogy. Both problems will require major surgeries.

“When the surgeon came and talked to me, I just cried and cried,” Deshaies said.

Mostly, she is upbeat, though she gets lonely. “Yesterday, I just so wanted to go home,” she said recently.

But at least she has the Kiwanis Family House to go to, whenever she is not sitting in the hospital neonatal intensive care unit, holding Erica.

There is a kitchen where she can store her food and cook, and a library with books and videos.

“They had the new James Patterson when I went in there last night,” she said. “Woohoo!”

Needed: Restock pantry for Kiwanis Family House, which provides comfort and comfort food for families with seriously ill or injured children and adults receiving treatment at UC Davis Medical Center.

Total: $5,000

To see more of Jennifer and Erica’s story and to donate to the Book of Dreams, please visit sacbee.com.

Dave Nachmanoff

will perform a

benefit concert for

The Kiwanis Club of Davis

DATE:

December 4, 2011

TIME:  2 PM 

(Doors open: 1:30 PM)

LOCATION:
Davis Odd Fellows Hall
415 2nd Street, Davis, CA

Click here for a MAP of the location

Admission:
$20.00 General
$5.00 Student

The Kiwanis Club of Davis is co-sponsoring a benefit concert from Dave Nachmanoff with the Davis Odd Fellows Music and Concerts Committee, to benefit the Kiwanis Family House.

The event, organized by Kiwanis member Mark Castellucci, will take place on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 2 PM at Odd Fellows Hall, 415 2nd Street, Davis, California.  Proceeds to benefit the Kiwanis Family House.

In addition to Dave Nachmanoff’s own successful solo career, he is the sideman to Al Stewart (“Year of the Cat”, “Time Passages”, “Song on the Radio”).

Tickets are $20 general admission and $5 for students. All ages are welcome.

For more information about this benefit concert and about Dave Nachmanoff, please visit http://www.davenach.com/calendar

For more information about purchasing advance tickets or general information about this concert, e-mail markc@cwnet.com .

Bob Tutton, Kiwanis Club of Auburn, CA won the grand prize.
Look for Bob on New Year’s Day on the Kiwanis International Float!

Kiwanis Club of Placerville won second prize

Karen Borman, Kiwanis Club of Carmichael & KFH Board member won third prize!

Kiwanis of Greater Sacramento’s

16th ANNUAL CRAB FEED

Saturday, February 25, 2012

5:00 pm  -  doors open

6:00 pm  -  dinner served

7:00 pm  -  entertainment

Location:

Buddhist Church of Sacramento
2401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento, CA

Adults  -  $45
Children 10 & under  –  $15

Raffle
Paper Airplane Contest
Silent Auction

Click here for a printable “2012 Kiwanis Club CRAB FEED” flyer (pictured above).

Click here to be redirected to the Greater Sacramento Kiwanis site where you can purchase tickets.

(Make checks payable to Greater Sacramento Kiwanis Foundation)

Proceeds help support Kiwanis Family House and Maple Elementary School.

Fundraiser for Kiwanis Family House which provides temporary housing and support to families of seriously ill or injured children and adults being treated at the UC Davis Medical Center and Shriners Hospital in Sacramento.