We celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, today, with cupcakes brought by Jennifer Richmond.  Thank you, Jennifer!

 

Please keep Cheryl Petre in your thoughts and prayers, as she is recovering from surgery on her back and hip, today. Also, Moe Johnson's wife fell, recently, and broke her hip.  Sending prayers of healing.

 

If you know of any members needing to be mentioned above, let Jennifer Richmond or myself, Penny Slavik know.  Knowing that someone is thinking of you, really makes a difference.

 

 

1. Teacher Reuse:  We received a thank you video, from Teacher Reuse, sharing their gratitude for the San Marcos Kiwanis Club's support.  Jennifer Richmond shared the video with the club.  It was good to see that our efforts do make a difference in the lives of children!

 

2.  Members' Survey:  Jennifer will be passing out a survey, to the club, next Thursday, asking for input on what we want to see, future wise, for the club.  Our club has made a difference in the community, and it is important that new goals and redirection be allowed to become a reality!  Also, each member will be able to fill in the best way for the club to make contact!  Next week will be a very important meeting to attend, so that these surveys can be filled out!

 

3.  Dues and Missing Sponsorships:  Most of the Kiwanis members are up to date on dues, but Willie Garza, treasurer, is still missing dues from 7 members.  Make contact with Willie, so he can sign off on 100% dues collected.  Also, there are 2 sponsors, one for Pancake Day with Santa, and one with our Pumpkin Dash 5K, that have not sent in their sponsorship money, yet.  Contact Willie to check on this, if you obtained these sponsorships.

 

4.  Possible Grants:  The City of San Marcos sent Jennifer Richmond a notification of grants that our club might qualify for.  Jesse Ramos stated that Rona Walton plans to attend the next board meeting to assist in applying for these grants.  Vanesa Westbrook has also shown an interest in helping, as well.  If you would like more information, there will be a hearing on Jan. 21st to inform those interested on what needs to be done to get these grants.  The hearing is at 630 E. Hopkins Street (Municipal Bldg) at 6:00pm.

 

Jeff Latham led our program for today.  He is a pastor for Westover Baptist Church, and he shared some very powerful motivational approaches to life!  Jeff shared some background information on himself, and how that has led him in reaching his goals of today.  

 

Jeff is a Redneck, and in his younger years, he was very active in horse riding, calf roping, and bull riding.  He was part of the rodeo scene and did very well!  When he wasn't doing "Redneck" things, he was either playing basketball or coaching for his son's teams.  He attended Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University, on a full basketball scholarship.  Needless to say, he was enjoying life.  His life goals changed though, when his father was in a car accident.  After graduating college, he started inventing medical "contraptions" to help his dad in recovery.  Not only did his inventions help, but they helped other people as well.  Jeff continued inventing things, and to date, he has 153 patents for medical devices. He and his devices have helped patients with brain trauma, migraine headaches, and areas in which the brain benefits from being cooled.  He has worked as a Trama Tech, specifically in the area of neurotechnology.

 

Jeff Latham's philosophy is "Life is a rodeo, and you never know what's going to happen.".  His belief in God has shaped his philosophy into " Believing that everything happens for a reason" THINK POSITIVE!!  That is one more philosophy that he shares, and he strives to encourage everyone he works with, and listens to during his Sunday sermons, that you don't quit, you stay positive, Muscle memory comes from staying positive, and this is what gets you through the tough times in life! 

 

Thank you, Jeff, for a great program!

 

Jan. 22, 2026: Service Dogs.org with Sheri Soltes

Jan. 29, 2026:  Marketing and Outreach with Christi Murillo

Feb. 5, 2026:  Greater San Marcos Youth Council with Laura

Feb. 12, 2026; Need a program

 

 

Jan. 4, 2026:  Chase and Kristi Dame's wedding anniversary

Jan. 18, 2026:  Gary Nelson's birthday

Jan. 20, 2026:  Erica Simmons' birthday

Jan. 24, 2026:  Randy Cook's birthday

 

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026: Board meeting at CASA, 5:00 pm

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026:  Grant hearing, 630 E. Hopkins St.,                                                                     6:00pm     

 

 

     1.  His grandmother babysat Lyndon B. Johnson. 

     2.  One of Jeff's sons has written music for both Garth Brooks and Clint   Black.   

     3. Jeff's church has an arena behind it, and over 3000 kids have ridden                horses in the arena: some to learn skills like team roping, and some for therapeutic purposes.     

     4.  Jeff placed a non-verbal, autistic child on a horse, and the child            started talking. 

 

HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT THURSDAY!  BRING A FRIEND!