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Serving the Children of the World
Our Annual Crofton Kiwanis 10K Challenge and 5K Races will be on June 10th 8:00 a.m. at the Crofton Country Club
Answering the Call
Crofton Kiwanis member John Hill is pictured in front of Crofton's Giant Food at the Salvation Army of Annapolis red kettle raising holiday money for needy families. Crofton Kiwanis volunteers are ringing the bell for 28 hours over four pre-Christmas Saturdays.
Scenes from our December 14th Chistmas Holiday Party.
Crofton Kiwanis Honors Members and Partners During Veterans Ceremonies
As part of its 2022 Veterans Day Observance program, the Crofton Kiwanis Club has recognized several of its members and program partners.
Pictured in photo above at the Crofton Kiwanis Veterans Commemoration membership meeting on Wed., Nov. 9 at the Nautilus Diner are these members and partners recognized with framed certificates for their Kiwanis veterans and patriotic program involvement and their public, charitable and club service: (shown left to right): Crofton Kiwanis member since 2001 Andy Caufield (NSA Cybersecurity Officer, retired Navy Lt. Commander, and Naval Academy graduate, and the featured Nov. 9 program speaker); member and Past President John Maloney (Crofton Kiwanis Flags Around the Parkway chairman and leading advocate for many years); member John R. Hill (Army Vietnam Combat Veteran and Flags for Heroes participant): member Jim Harvey (Crofton Kiwanis Flags for Heroes’ outstanding chairman, organizer, manager and promoter “multi-tasker” again this year); with Crofton Kiwanis Club President Mike Pierre at far right. Honorees not pictured: Bob Carr, TLC Irrigation (Crofton Flags Around the Parkway’s generous installation and storage donating corporate partner for many years); Kiwanis member Martin H. Simon, Crofton Civic Association Town Manager (and the Flags for Heroes CCA facilitator - with endorsement of the Crofton Civic Association Board of Directors – in providing the new electric power source site for the Flags for Heroes display of 100 [and growing] U. S. flags on the Veterans Day and Memorial Day periods at Crofton’s main front entrance); and members Ray and Nickie Zancan.
In the photo above Kiwanian Nickie Zancan receives from Vice President Russ Shipley the framed certificate recognizing her, member Ray Zancan and Zancan Press of Upper Marlboro for their Flags for Heroes support including the 2022 donated vinyl display banner; their 2022 continued outstanding Kiwanis Halloween Parade leadership and contributions; years of support of the Crofton Kiwanis 10 K Challenge / 5 K Run fundraising event; donated printing for Crofton Kiwanis catered events; and other provided design, printing and logo product services.
We thank these outstanding contributors, and all involved in our club’s patriotic programs and other services and projects, for continuing Kiwanis and community participation.
One hundred U.S. “Flags for Heroes”were erected next to Crofton’s main entrance by Crofton Kiwanis Club volunteers to commemorate Veterans Day for the period November 5 - 19, 2022.
Kiwanis project chair Jim Harvey noted that 93 of the flags were sponsored by individuals and families to honor or memorialize members of the military, veterans and first responders who have served America. Proceeds benefit the charitable projects and programs of the Kiwanis Foundation of Crofton, MD, Inc.
Crofton Kiwanis sponsors the local Flags for Heroes program, with a cooperative partnership with the Crofton Civic Association.
Shown (left to right) are Crofton Kiwanis member volunteers during the November 5 flag-raising: Russ Shipley; friend of Kiwanis BJ Diamond; Dennis Clark; Jim Harvey; Sue Harvey;
Nancy Scaggs; Mike Kane: friend and former Kiwanis Capital District Trustee Renee Mackey; Sharon Shipley and her son & friend of Kiwanis Richard Shipley. Not pictured: Patrick Heelen.
Some scenes from our very successful Halloween Parade on October 29th
More pictures here
Crofton’s Charity Chili Cook-off Sizzles Again!
The Crofton Eighth Annual Chili Cook-off, hosted by Stroll magazine publisher Jim Harvey and assisted by the Crofton Kiwanis Club and Crofton Christian Caring Council (CCCC) volunteers, was held at the Crofton Farmer’s Market at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Parking lot on Wednesday, October 19. Donors blasted right through most of the eight chefs’ many gallons of chili entries and condiments in record time with overwhelming consumer participation, while raising some $850 in cash donations and lots of local citizens’ canned food contributions.
All proceeds benefit the Food Pantry of the CCCC, a consortium of area churches in the greater Crofton area.
Crofton Kiwanis Board member (and one of the competition judges) Jeff Francis is pictured above in left photo (at left) presenting the People’s Choice Award to chef Francisco Leonard.
Crofton Kiwanis member Kim Kavanaugh is pictured in the center of the right photo above at her chili station.
In addition to Kim and Jeff, Crofton Kiwanis Club members who assisted included Jim and Sue Harvey, Sharon and Russ Shipley, Dennis Clark, Nancy Scaggs, and Jerry Esterheld. New Kiwanis member Dondra Coniglio visited the Chili Cook-off and she also exhibited at Red Carpet Remodeling. CCCC Chairperson Sharon Shipley was joined by CCCC Food Pantry Coordinator Susan Bixby, who helped supervise and also reviewed the donated canned goods, with her husband CCCC Volunteer and Chili Judge Willis Bixby, and several other Caring Council volunteers.
The Crofton Kiwanis Club learned about “Courage” at its monthly membership evening meeting at Nautilus Diner on Oct. 12, 2022 in two ways.
Crofton Kiwanis paid tribute on Oct. 12 to member John R. Hill, who was presented with a patriotic “Stars and Stripes” table runner created by Crofton’s St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Quilters. With Veteran’s Day approaching, the club recognized his courageous U. S. Army military accomplishments in Special Operations as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War. Among his military citations, Sergeant Hill received the Bronze Star Medal and also the Purple Heart for combat wounds sustained, He has been an active member of Crofton Kiwanis since 2018 and has volunteered for the Crofton Kiwanis “Flags for Heroes” program and various wounded warriors and other Crofton Kiwanis Foundation projects. He and his wife Dolores moved to Crofton in 1972 where they raised their two children.
Shown below that photo are Carol and B.J. Diamond of Crofton describing how their “Cam Power for All” - Where Hope Begins - nonprofit honors the memory of their late 8-year-old daughter Cameron, who lost her battles with leukemia and complications in 2008. Their fundraising (including an annual Charity youth competition at Crofton Swim and Tennis Club) supports John’s Hopkins Children's Hospital and it’s kids’ playroom, provides funds and encouragement to young patient families in need, backs pediatric disease research, and awards local high school seniors with college scholarships in family sciences. Please visit their website at: http://www.campowerforall.org
Long-time Kiwanis members Bill and Janet Hand received the Crofton Kiwanis Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award from Club President Mike Pierre (pictured at right) at the Club’s 47th Annual Installation Dinner held on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Bill and Janet were recognized for their decades of dedication, achievements and service in support of Kiwanis sponsored youth projects and particularly high school Kiwanis Key Club programs at the local, division, and district levels. Bill recently stepped down as chair of the Crofton Kiwanis Service Leadership Program and as liaison to Crofton Kiwanis’ 5 sponsored Key Clubs at these high schools: Anne Arundel, Broadneck, Indian Creek, Meade and Archbishop Spalding.
Crofton Kiwanis's cold water was a big hit at the Neighborhood Night Out in Crofton on August 2nd. Pictured in the photo above on the left are many of our proud Kiwanis volunteers. In the photo above on the right are (left to right) James Kitchin, County Executive Steuart Pittman, and Kiwanis President Mike Pierre.
On Wednesday, July 27th the Crofton Kiwanis was pleased to participate in Jim Harvey's successful Charity Bake-off to benefit the Crofton Christian Caring Council (CCCC) Baby Pantry at the Farmer’s Market in the Seton Parish parking lot. The sale of pies and cakes raised $1,107 for the CCCC. The Crofton Kiwanis Club and Foundation will sponsor the Annual Chili Cook-off on Oct. 19th benefitting the CCCC Food Pantry.
Shown above from left are Kiwanis members Sharon Shipley (CCCC Chairperson), Bake-off Event Organizer (and Chili Cook-off chair) Jim Harvey, and Event Pies Slicer/Server and Crofton Kiwanis Board Member Susan Harvey (and the Harvey’s dog, Vlad).
Scenes from our June 11th 10K and 5K Races
Some 270 runners registered for the hugely successful annual Crofton Kiwanis Foundation 10K Challenge and 5K Races that took place on June 11, 2022.
Crofton Kiwanis Race Chair Nancy Scaggs complimented the very generous renewed Title Sponsor this year, Crofton’s Team Surlis/Remax Leading Edge, Realtors, and all the sponsors, donors, runners, and the volunteers that made the major charity fundraiser possible.
She expressed appreciation to Crofton Country Club for letting Crofton Kiwanis once again have access to their grounds for registration, runners’ refreshments, the awards ceremony, and participant and volunteer parking.
Thanks to our 2022 Race Sponsors:
Team Surlis RE/MAX Leading Edge
Morgan Stanley-Chesapeake Capitol Group, Bethesda, MD
Crofton Go-Kart Raceway
John & Carole Hampton
Solstice Kitchen & Bath
Chick-fil-A
424 Wine and Spirits
Belair Engineering
Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar & Grill
CamPower For All
Dr. Vargas, Crofton Family Dentistry
Edward Jones, Financial Advisor Alexis Lecouras
The Fallon Family
Kumon of Crofton
Ledo Pizza Crofton
Joyce & John Maloney
Regan, Grace & Kerley, LLC
Senator Ed Reilly
Wegmans
Williams Financial Services
Zancan Press
8 Days a Week Business Solutions
Family Bike Shop
Kimmotions Pilates
Panoptic Eye Care
Rich Reilly Insurance Company
Sharon & Russ Shipley
Crofton Country Club
Gold's Gym
Crofton Kiwanis Club and Foundation President Mike Pierre (at right) is pictured presenting a $1,625 Foundation check to cover registration of 13 at-risk kids from Glen Burnie, MD for a positive one-week summer camp experience in Richardsville, Virginia. Accepting is William Boone, area directory of Boys and Girls Clubs for Salvation Army of Central Maryland. This followed Mr. Boone’s remarks at the Crofton Kiwanis monthly membership meeting on June 8, 2022, where he outlined their programs to help, counsel and motivate at-risk kids and their families. Staples, Inc. of Bowie, MD also donated to the Salvation Army summer program two dozen “Student School Packs” for the campers, which included pens, pencils, colored markers, glues, erasers, and other items for many needs including writing notes and assignments, creating stories and artwork, and making crafts. The core Foundation contribution was supplemented by several Crofton Kiwanis individual members’ donations.
On Saturday, May 28, 2022 more than 70 American flags were raised by Crofton Kiwanis Club members as part of a "Flags for Heroes" Memorial remembrance of former and current U. S. military, veterans, and first responders.
Most flags included a sponsored tag bearing the name, rank, branch, and years/main duty station or war theatre of a loved one or friend who served or is still serving their country. Flags for Heroes sponsorship funds benefit programs of the Crofton Kiwanis Foundation.
Kiwanis participants in the picture (left to right): Russ Shipley, John Hill, Kiwanis President Mike Pierre, Flags for Heroes Chair Jim Harvey, guest Richard Shipley, (kneeling) Kim Kavanaugh, Bill Hand, Melanie Smith (standing) Susan Harvey, Mike Sweeney, Nancy Scaggs, Joyce Maloney, John Maloney, Bill Branham, and Martin H. Simon. (Photo provided by Martin H. Simon, MHS Images, Inc.)
Crofton Kiwanis member Bill Branham is shown with his designated “Flag for Heroes” at the May 28, 2022 U.S. flags raising next to the Crofton, MD Main Gate. Bill recently made a five-year donation to sponsor an American flag flown one-to-two weeks at Memorial and Veterans Days, recognizing his Coast Guard service as a Quartermaster.
At its Annual Meeting on May 11, 2022, the Crofton Kiwanis Foundation introduced its three annual college tuition $1,000 scholarship winners. Pictured left to right in the first picture are Anthony DePaolis (to attend Towson University), Havana Mullaly (to attend John’s Hopkins University), and Sarah Martin (to attend Rutgers University).
In the second picture, Crofton Kiwanis Key Clubs Advisor/Service Leadership Program Chair Bill Hand in center presents certificate to Havana Mullaly, with Kiwanis President Mike Pierre shown at left.
All three award winners attended Indian Creek Upper School in Crownsville, and were leaders in the school’s Key Club. Award merit criteria include academic excellence, charitable service, extracurricular activities, career goals, and Key Club leadership.
CROFTON CLUB GROWTH, TOWN’S 60th ANNIVERSARY OUTLOOK AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF KIWANIS 46th CHARTER NIGHT DINNER
Pictured above at far right is Crofton Kiwanis President Mike Pierre and to his right are newest club members Martin H. Simon and his wife Julie Simon, at their induction during the May 6, 2022 Charter Night Dinner at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant.
At far left are the dinner emcee Russ Shipley and the Simons’ sponsor, Marsha Perry, the featured speaker who later led a memorable and nimble conversation (sprinkled with colorful anecdotes) on “Crofton Through the Decades” and a few emerging plans for the town’s 60th anniversary in 2024.
Kiwanis Club members (from left) Vanessa Orlando, Russ Shipley and Melanie Smith are shown at the Kiwanis information table at the first Crofton Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, March 26. The club also made tables available at the Festival at Swann Park for residents wanting to sell items at a mega-community yard sale.
The Kiwanis Yard Sale project was chaired by member Susan Harvey, assisted by Club Treasurer Nancy Scaggs who also arranged the information table that promoted membership and the club’s June 11 10K/5K Race. The inaugural community Festival was created by the Crofton Civic Association and “Living in the Triangle” magazine publisher (and Kiwanian) Jim Harvey.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman delivered a well-received, wide-ranging talk touching on development, schools, public health, public safety, environment, and county planning and zoning at the November 10th monthly meeting at the Blue Dolphin Restaurant.
Welcome
The Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Crofton, Maryland serves the Greater Crofton area, focusing on the needs of children and families, community involvement and enrichment, and service to the citizens. Examples of our activities include the Annual Crofton Halloween Parade, the Annual 10K and 5K Races, "Rebuilding Together", Salvation Army bell ringing, and blood drives. Our charitable activities include service to the aged at the Crofton Care and Rehab Center, Sarah's House, the Crofton Christian Caring Council, and assistance to Wounded Veterans. We also fund other charitable causes on an ad hoc basis.
Contact Membership Chair Russ Shipley at (410) 721-1195 or russ.shipley@verizon.net to find out more about Kiwanis or to inquire about joining.
Do you enjoy the American and Maryland flags that are on display around Crofton Parkway?
This program is coordinated by the Crofton Kiwanis Club, and has relied on the generosity of the people of Crofton over the years.
The flags have been hung on the parkway since 1990. They were the idea of Ed Dosek, the newly elected President of the Crofton Civic Association (CCA) at that time. He was looking for a patriotic way to celebrate Crofton.
There are 76 BGE light poles along the Crofton Parkway. Each has two American flags, except for the 8 street entrances into Crofton where there is a Maryland flag along with the American flag.
The flags are hung in May before the Armed Services parade and removed after Veterans Day in November. The CCA managed the program initially until it was turned over to the Crofton Kiwanis Club.
TLC, a local business in Crofton, puts the flags up and takes them down and also stores them at their facility. Also during the year TLC will replace any flag causalities that might occur.
This year we replaced 35 flags and poles that were worn out. With those replacements the flag fund has gone into the red.
If you would like to help with this project and donate you may send a check made out to the Crofton Kiwanis Foundation and mail to:
The Crofton Kiwanis Foundation
c/o The Crofton Kiwanis Club
Box 3101
Crofton, MD 21114
Thanks for your support!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, Jan. 25th: Ledos Pizza social, 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 1st: Board of Directors Meeting, via Zoom, 7:00 p.m. (contact Mike Pierre)
Wednesday, Feb. 8th Monthly Membership Meeting, Crofton Public Library, Camille Klinger on "Acupuncture and Qui Gong/Worsley Practice
Wednesday, Feb. 22ndL Ledos Pizza social, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 3rd-Sunday, March 5th: Capital District Mid-Year Conference, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington (coordinate with Mike Pierre)
Friday, March 24th-Sunday, March 26th: Capital District Key Club Convention, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington (coordinate with Mike Pierre
Tues
Our Annual Activities and Events
Proud recipients of our annual Key Club scholarships and Teen of the Year awards.
Anna Lenzenweger of Spalding High School receives the Dan Scholfield scholarship presented by State Senator and Kiwanian Mike Malone, President Mike Pierre, Dan Scholfield, and mother.
Austin Gayhart of Spalding High School receives the Tom and Marnie Fallon scholarship presented by Mike Malone, Mike Pierre, and parents.
Emily Soto of Broadneck High School receives the William and Janet Hand scholarship presented by Mike Pierre, Service Leader Program Chair Bill Hand, and parents.
Julia Stanley of Spalding High School receives the Teen of the Year Award presented by Mike Pierre, Mike Malone, and Bill Hand.
Not pictured are Holly Falter of Meade High School receiving the Bobbi Coffman scholarship and Emma Alton of Indian Creek Upper School receiving the Sharon Drew scholarship.
Local home project sponsored by the
Crofton Kiwanis Club
Happy Helpers for the Homeless Project
Front: Jerry Esterheld and his grandson
Back: Mike Pierre, Dennis Clark, Kim Kavanaugh, Bill Hand, and Nancy Scaggs
Halloween Parade
The Kiwanis Club holds its annual Halloween Parade the last Saturday of October, and we invite all Crofton residents and community organizations to participate in the Parade.
The Parade starts at the Crofton Country Club and ends at the Town Hall, where the prizes for best costume are handed out. The kids will meet at the Prince of Peace Church parking lot at 10:00 a.m. to register their costumes and be judged and then join the Parade staging area next door at the Country Club, where the parade starts at 11:00 a.m.
If it rains, the Parade will be cancelled, but a virtual costume contest will supplant live judging.
If your organization would like be one of the participants in the Parade, please contact Nickie Zancan (nickie@zancanpress.com).
Service Leadership Programs
The Crofton Kiwanis Club is actively involved in mentoring young adults at school meetings and during their service projects, as well as providing funds for attendance at conventions. We also provide up to three college scholarships each year. Currently our club sponsors the Providence Center Aktion Club and Key Clubs at Arundel High School, Archbishop Spalding High School, Meade Senior High School, and Indian Creek School. Our club also makes an annual contribution for a high school sophmore to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Conference.
(Pictured above is Past President/Service Leadership Chairman Bill Hand (left) with members of the newly chartered Indian Creek School Key Club)
Blood Drives
The Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Crofton, MD in the past has teamed up with the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Blood Donor Center to have an AAMC Bloodmobile in front of Old Navy in the Waugh Chapel Town Center for blood drives. We held 1-4 blood drives each year based on anticipated participation from local citizens.
10K Challenge and 5K Run
Since 1989 the Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Crofton, Maryland has sponsored the 10K Challenge race that covers the beautiful tree-lined residential streets of Crofton. The race includes some light hills but is mostly a flat course. Our race is always held on the second Saturday in June. Medals are given for the top 3 runners overall and first place male and female finishers in 19 age/gender categories. Short sleeve technical shirts are given to the first 250 entrants. Food, drink and other giveaways from our sponsors are available at the finish line. Electronic timing is used and results are posted within 8 hours. The 5K Race was added to the 10K in 2018. Both races in this family friendly community event offer something from the beginning runner to those preparing to train for a fall marathon.
Thanks to our 2022 Sponsors
Team Surlis RE/MAX Leading Edge
Morgan Stanley-Chesapeake Capitol Group, Bethesda, MD
Crofton Go-Kart Raceway
John & Carole Hampton
Solstice Kitchen & Bath
Chick-fil-A
424 Wine and Spirits
Belair Engineering
Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar & Grill
CamPower For All
Dr. Vargas, Crofton Family Dentistry
Edward Jones Financial Advisors
The Fallon Family
Kumon of Crofton
Ledo Pizza at Eddie's Place
Joyce & John Maloney
Regan, Grace & Kerley, LLC
Senator Ed Reilly & Cathy
Wegmans
Williams Financial Services
Zancan Press
8 Days a Week Business Solutions
Family Bike Shop
Kummotions Pilates
Panoptic Eye Care
Rich Reilly Insurance Company
Sharon & Russ Shipley
Crofton Country Club
Gold's Gym
2021 Results
2020 Results (Virtual Runs Only)
2019 Results
2018 Results
Rebuilding Together
On the last Saturday in April our club participated with other local organizations in a Rebuilding Together home renovation project. Rebuilding Together is a national non-profit organization that provides free home repairs and modifications to neighbors in need.
(Pictured above is Rebuilding Together Chairman Bob Sharpe (left) with Dan Scholfield at last year's project)
Other Club Activities
Crofton Christian Caring Council
Sarah's House Meals
Crofton Convalescent Center Bingo and Birthday Parties
Crofton Flag Project
Salvation Army Bell Ringing and Christmas Angels
Annual Installation Night and Charter Night Club Dinners
Adopt-a-Family Holiday Meals
Teacher of the Year Award
Kiwanis International's Young Children Projects
(Pictured above is a memorial on Crofton Parkway to beloved late club member and WW II veteran Pete Pedersen)
Club Recognition
Our Kiwanis club has achieved Blue-level Today Club status for the 2016–17 Kiwanis year by contributing an average of $10 or more per club member to the Kiwanis Children's Fund.
Club Meetings
Regular monthly Crofton Kiwanis Club meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month currently at 7:00 p.m. at the back room of Nautilus Diner. Guests are always welcome for our regular meetings and to listen to our program's guest speakers.
The Club Board of Directors and Officers meet the first Wednesday each month at the First Baptist Church of Crofton at 7:00 p.m.
On the fourth Wednesday each month there is a club social meeting at Ledos Pizza at 6:30 p.m.
(Pictured left to right at the September 12, 2018 donation ceremony at Blue Dolphin Restaurant are Kiwanis President Patrick Heelen presenting $4,000 donation check to Crofton Christian Caring Council Chairperson Beth Ross, CCCC incoming Chairperson Sharon Shipley, and CCCC Financial Aid Volunteers Marge Wagovich, Judy Battista and Maria Bodnar.)
Charity Auction and Gift Basket
Each November for the past 15 or so years we held a combined silent and live bidding auction to raise funds for our many service projects. Every year we had over 400 items to bid on, including vacation rentals, sporting events, toys, household appliances, and restaurant discounts, which made this the biggest fundraiser of the year. The auction was held at the Bowie Knights of Columbus Hall on Route 3.
For 2018 we tried something new, a Gift Basket containing over $4000 worth of gift cards for fine dining at Crofton and Annapolis area restaurants. Tickets were $20 each. There were 725 tickets sold and the drawing was held at our December 12th Christmas Holiday Party at Ledos Pizza. This new fundraiser was a great success in raising over $18,000, with the proceeds begin split evenly between Sarah's House and the Crofton Christian Caring Council.
Officers and Board Members (Oct. 1, 2022-Sept. 30, 2023)
President: Mike Pierre
President-Elect: Dan Scholfield
Club Vice President/Secretary: Russ Shipley
Foundation Treasurer: Melanie Smith
Club Treasurer: Nancy Scaggs
Immediate Past President: Patrick Heelen
Board Member: Jack Carey
Board Member: Marietta Dunn
Board Member: D'Ana Johnson
Board Member: Terri Clayton
Board Member: Jeff Francis
Board Member: Bob Sharpe
Board Member: Ray Zancan
