Activities

Scott Weinmann, Interim Director of the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, shares with the Kiwanis Club.

The Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum aims to promote education to visitors of all ages and backgrounds about Amelia Earhart’s life and legacy through its historic grounds, collection, activities, and events.

May 5, 2026

Lorin Affield, Director of the Atchison YMCA, shares the history of the YMCA and updates members about current activities.

Atchison YMCA

April 28, 2026

Sean Crittendon of Crittendon Home Care shares with the Kiwanis Club.

Sean and his team staff an In-Home Care & Home Health Agency serving Northeast Kansas.

Crittendon Home Care is an owner operated company that provides quality home care throughout northeast Kansas. At Crittendon Home Care, we take pride in helping families care for loved ones. Crittendon Home Care provides services geared to help keep your loved ones in the comfort of their own home.

Services provided often include, but are not limited to meal preparation and planning, light housekeeping, assistance with bathing, assistance with getting dressed & with hygiene, medication reminders, help toileting, assistance transferring, companionship and more. Our team of talented Caregivers can help ensure overall safety within the home 24 hours 7 days a week. Our goal is to help keep your loved one happy, healthy, and thriving in the environment in which they know and love.

crittendonhomecare.com

April 14, 2026

Diane Liebsch, shares updates regarding the International Forest of Friendship.

The Intenational Forest of Friendship was established in 1976 as a bicentennial project by the City of Atchison and The Ninety-Nines Inc., The International Organization of Women Pilots. Each September, new honorees are inducted into the Forest with a stone in the walkway that winds through trees representing all 50 states and over 35 countries.

Activties for adults and children occur in the Forest to increase knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of women pilots to the field of aviation.

March 24, 2026

Jonathan Mize and Travis Grossman shared plans for the Atchison 250 Celebration with the Kiwanis members. Exciting things are in the works for the July 4, 2026 events!

7:45 - 10:45 am - Community Pancake Breakfast

9:00 am - 12:00 p.m Benedictine College Library Open House (Center for Constitutional Liberty)

4:00 pm - Downtown Patriotic Parade

5:00 pm - Food, Inflatables & Music along the Riverfront

9:30 pm - Patriotic Dance Show at the Riverfront

9:45 pm - Fireworks at the Riverfront

March 3, 2026

The 2026 goal for Kiwanis International Children's Fund is to raise $125,000 - to support 55,000 children - through the Kiwanis Day of Giving on February 25, 2026!

Andrew Foster, Community Partnership Manager, with Second Harvest Food Bank updated the Kiwanis members. Second Harvest mobile distributions provided 135,555 pounds of fresh produce and lean proteins to hungry neighbors in Effingham and Atchison.

February 24, 2026

Second Harvest Community Food Bank is a nonprofit food distribution center, which allows us to help the families, individuals and seniors across our 18 county region. We distribute food through direct service programs and through a network of Agency Partners located throughout our service area. Last year, Second Harvest distributed over 9.9 million pounds of food.

The Kiwanis members were treated to a tour of the new 58,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art library at Benedictine College, set to open in 2026.

The Benedictine College Library supports the College’s mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship. Our primary task is to serve the educational and research needs of our main constituencies, the faculty, students and staff of Benedictine College and the monastic communities of Saint Benedict’s Abbey and Mount St. Scholastica Monastery. Through resource sharing and cooperative agreements, the Library’s collections are accessible to the greater Atchison community and the world at large. As heirs to 1500 years of Benedictine tradition, we are committed to preserving, expanding and making available our historical and contemporary collections in various formats.

February 17, 2026

Dr. Daniel Bowen shares his watercolor show "Raw Artistry" with the Kiwanis members. The works are on display at the Cultural Center for the Arts in Atchison through February 14, 2026. Hurry! Don't miss out!

Dr. Bowen also shared several stories surrounding individual pieces in the show. If you see him, be sure to ask about the cricket challenge!

February 10, 2026

Lindsey Hansen, Central School Principal, shares information with the Kiwanis Club about the Career and Technical Education Pathways provided by UDS 409 for 2025-26:

Biotechnology
Business Finance
Business Management and Entrepreneurship
Health Science
Marketing
Media Design and Communications
Programming & Software Development
Restaurant and Event Management
Teaching/Training

February 3, 2026

Music for a Cause - Kiwanis Club of Atchison

Servaes Brewing Company - Riverfront & Kiwanis Club of Atchison

118 S. Second St.

January 29, 2026

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Roger Caudle shares books available at Bargain Books and More in Atchison. He highlighted books by local authors. A good way to spend a cold winter evening is an interesting book!

January 27, 2026

The Kiwanis Club of Atchison renewed its membership in the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce for 2026.

Steve Caplinger with the Atchison County Historical Society gave us a presentation on the 2025 year in review for the organization, and their goals for 2026.

January 20, 2026

OUR PROGRAMS

At Atchison County Historical Society, we offer a wide range of programs and events that cater to history enthusiasts of all ages. From school field trips to lectures and workshops, our goal is to share our love of history with as many people as possible.

From the Kiwanis International Facebook page!

Mike McGuire, with Hope Family Therapy, updates the Kiwanis Club regarding mental health services and supports available in the Atchison area.

Hope Family Therapy serves individuals, couples, families and the parent(s) or legal caregiver(s) of adolescents or children who are dealing with mental health concerns. Emphasis is placed on the interaction among family members as well as the role each person plays in bringing about positive, relationship growth.

December 9, 2025

Clare Hansen, Head Coach of the Benedictine College Women's Lacrosse team, shares information with the Kiwanis members. The first game of the 2026 season will be at Missouri Western State University on Jan 31, 2026.

BC Women's Lacrosse Facebook

BC Women's Lacrosse Homepage

November 11, 2025

Kara Soph, Atchison Elementary Social Worker, receives the Kiwanis donation to the Salvation Army of Atchison Backpack Buddies program to help supply meals to AES students.

November 4, 2025

Chad Bilderback, Principal, and Ronda McDaniel, Counselor, share information regarding the Atchison Middle School Individual Plan of Study which is completed by all students beginning in sixth grade. The Plan of Study is based in the Naviance platform, which leads the students through interest questionnaires and career curriculum studies based on their interests. Naviance follows the students from 6th through 12th grade to allow the students to update studies as their interests develop and change.

In addition, the students participate in job shadowing experiences in 7th and 8th grade. College and Career lessons are conducted by teachers during Advisory Period. The students also participate in career-based fieldtrips.

Mrs. McDaniel also leads "Lunch and Learn" opportunities for the students based on the career interest. Recent Lunch and Learn sessions involved the Army from Fort Leavenworth, Missouri Western Police Academy, Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, and Ambewell Hospital.

On October 22nd, students will visit the Highland School of Nursing. On October 24th, the students will travel to St. Mary's School of Nursing in Leavenworth.

October 21, 2025

Carrie Sowers, Director of the Atchison Child Care Association, shares with the Kiwanis Club members. The Atchison Child Care Association celebrates its 57th anniversary in October 2025!

October 7, 2025

Molly Franklin, founder of Atchison Autism Support, shared the exciting developments for this new parent, child, and community support group. The group meets monthly at the Atchison YMCA. They have partnered with KU Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital to bring subject matter experts to Atchison to provide information to participants. One of the long-term goals is to provide direct support services in Atchison so that parents do not have to drive great distances.

Through the group's efforts, the Fox Theater provides a sensory screening of movies on the first Saturday of each month. The screenings are open to anyone to attend. Molly shared that parents of young childern, and those who might struggle to sit still for a two hour movie also now have the opportunity to enjoy a movie!

Their Facebook page currently has 160 followers. You can follow the group at Atchison Autism Support.

September 30, 2025

Christa Reiger, the president of Project Atchison, shared an update of their current activities. Project Atchison is working on a mural and on plans for porchfest.

Projectatchison.org

September 23, 2025

Molly Porter, the new Executive Director of the Atchison Art Association, shares with the Kiwanis Club. The Atchison Art Association is dedicated to providing art and culture to Atchison through the Muchnic Gallery, Cultural Center, local events, and membership.

atchisonart.org

September 16, 2025

Laura Batson, USD 409 Superintendent, provides information regarding the bond projects and the three pillars of highly effective, community, and shared accountability. She also went over the district strategic plan.

August 5, 2025

Mark Westhoff, Atchison City Manager, shares updates with the Kiwanis members.

July 14, 2025

Nic Rebant, Atchison Recreation Commission, shares updates with the Kiwanis Club members. A number of improvements have been made at the sports complex: addition of playground, expanded parking lot off of country club road, conversion of field 3 to a tee ball field, the addition of a concession/restroom by the softball pod, and the batting cages being added in early September 2025.

Nic also shared that 4,485 individuals participated in programs from last fall into July 2025.

He also discussed some potential new programs in the upcoming future -such as programs for youth with special needs and a Mother/Son Movie night.

July 7, 2025

Melissa Friger, Multimedia Marketing Consultant with the Atchison Globe, shares information about updates at the newspaper.

NEW publication date will be Thursdays ~ beginning Thursday, July 10th
NEW format begins July 10th
Is there anything you'd like to see in the Atchison Globe that we are not regularly covering (at all), or enough of?

Reach out to Melissa at MFriger@cherryroad.com

June 30, 2025

Dwight Stephenson, Executive Director of Operations and Finance, & Joshua Harden, Director of Strategic Initiatives, with St. Benedict's Abbey, share information regarding the exciting new daycare center under construction as a joint project between First Steps Childhood Learning Center and the Abbey. The official ground breaking ceremony for First Steps with Abbey took place today on the grounds of the previous Atchison Juvenile Correctional Facility. The property was purchased by the Abbey with goals for developing several projects including childcare, medical monitoring, education, and workforce training on the 160 acre campus.

Opening of the first of two daycare facilities is slated for December 2025, with the second facility coming into service in January/February 2026. The First Steps with Abbey facilities will create 30-50 new employment opportunities to serve between 180 - 200 children.

An interesting historical note shared by Joshua is that the property once housed the Civil War Soldiers Orphanage from 1865 to 1965.

June 23, 2025

Civil War Soldiers Orphanage

1865 to 1965

For Additional Information:

Love is the First Step

Grant Awarded

B+A Architecture

Adam Ehlert, Donor Care Team of the Atchison Valley Hope Foundation, shares information about Valley Hope's programming and current capital campaign. With a history spanning more than 50 years, Valley Hope of Atchison has served Kansas City and surrounding communities, providing individuals with high quality alochol and drug addiction residential treatment. Valley Hope employs 72 fulltime and

20 parttime staff.

May 19, 2025

Dawn Gabel,

Immediate Past Kansas Kiwanis Governor,

shares information about growing our membership!

April 28, 2025

Allison Burton, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), shares information regarding services provided to children

in the First Judicial District (Leavenworth & Atchison Counties). She also shared information about the volunteer opportunities

available for Kiwanis members to participate in CASA activities.

March 10, 2025

Daryl Julo and Chole Brincefield, Atchison High School, share information about the Marketing Career Pathway. Students in the marketing cluster prepare for careers in planning, managing, advertisement, brand management, sales, merchandising, and marketing products or services. One of the projects within the marketing classes is to produce the Atchison High School Yearbook.

March 3, 2025

Taking the prize for "traveling" the farthest distance to attend a Kiwanis meeting goes to......Neil Wieland!

Neil participated in a Zoom video call today with the club members from his home in Kosice, Slovakia.

We can't wait for the next update!

January 27, 2025

Business Management and Administration Career Pathway Presentation by Atchison High School Students - DJ Lowry and Destiny Eylar.

The Business, Management and Administration Cluster prepares learners for careers and/or continuing education opportunities planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

January 13, 2025

All of us in the Atchison Kiwanis Club want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season!! Kiwanis Christmas Party December 16, 2024. #happyholidays

USD 409 School Psychologist, Brian Keegan, shares information regarding the Unified Champions program. Unified Champions brings together students with disabilities and their peers in a variety of activities - both sporting and academic.

From a backyard summer camp for people with intellectual disabilities to a global sports movement, Special Olympics has changed lives and attitudes since its founding in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Project Success is a peer mentoring program at Atchison High that matches students with disabilities with peer mentors to open opportunities for academic experiences, including English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Wood Shop, Art, and Family & Consumer Sciences.

On February 26, 2025, USD 409 will host the first-ever POLAR PLUNGE, providing an opportunity to help raise funds for the Unified Champions program and Special Olympics Kansas.

November 18, 2024

Atchison High School students, Brooklyn Kelley and Nae'Onna Sanders, share information regarding their courses in the Finance Career Pathway.

The Finance Cluster prepares learners for careers and/or continuing education opportunities in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

November 11, 2024

Lily Ortel shares information regarding the Bio-Technology Career and Technical Education Pathway. The CTE pathways offered at Atchison High School allow students to gain practical experience in the future career field of their choosing.

October 9, 2024

Excited to have Dr. Nugent at our meeting today to talk about

USD 409’s bond projects for the upcoming school year!

August 12, 2024

The Atchison Kiwanis Club celebrates Neil Wieland's last meeting before he departs for Kosice, Slovakia, where he will spend the next year teaching English to high school students. He will be working with students at Evanjelicke gymnazium Jana Amosa Komenskeho [John Amos Comenious Lutheran Grammar School].

Neil will be greatly missed by the Kiwanis Club and all of Atchison in his role as a broadcaster for KAIR Radio.

We look forward to frequent updates from Neil about his experiences!

August 5, 2024

Brian Cleveland, Atchison Public Library Director, updates Kiwanis regarding the Summer Reading Program and new activities at the Library. 375 individuals are currently registered for the reading program. It is open to children, youth, and adults. Registration closes on July 14.

The Library now offers initial passport application processing. 150 applications have been processed since March.

Be sure to check out Monet's garden and the mosaic pathway!

June 18, 2024

Nic Rebant, Atchison Recreation Commission, shares information with the Kiwanis Club on June 11, 2024. Each year the Kiwanis Club has supported the Summer Youth Baseball Program through the Recreation Commission.

Ann Hutchinson, Atchison High School Business Teacher, shares information regarding the Career and Technical Education Pathways program. The CTE pathways offered at Atchison High School allow students to gain practical experience in the future career field of their choosing. Ann teaches the Business Management and Entrepreneurship pathway.

May 21, 2024