Before we got started, there was an incident. Past President Yvonne attempted to
invoke the presidential privilege by waiving certain requirements and obligations.
Entering stealthily and gliding past the payment table with laser focus, she made a
beeline to her saved chair.

Our eagle-eyed Greeter, Midge, noticed and called it out.

“Did you pay your five dollars for the privilege of being here?” she queried.

Clearly nonplussed, Yvonne replied with an emphatic, “No.” The privilege was dropped;
the debt paid. As for Midge, she was feted by her table of companions for a job well
done.

 

President Ian and Greeter Midge led us in the Pledge and Four-Way Test, respectively.
Dan provided musical guidance through God Bless America. Sarah offered the
invocation.

Joannie introduced her friend Alina, our lone guest.

Announcements included Steve reminding us to pay annual dues. Ian plugged Club
Picture Day on May 28. He further disclosed that the book drive ends soon, but you can
bring in books throughout the summer.

The miniature library kiosks will be built at Port City Air on June 7, a Sunday. Trucks are
needed to deliver the kiosks to the four designated locations. Any help will be most
welcome.

 

Turning to the main event, John St. Pierre introduced our speaker, Kim Irwin,
coordinator for the Key Collective. The Key Collective is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works
with financially and socioeconomically disadvantaged children in grades K-12. The

organization exposes disadvantaged youth to various extra-curricular activities, such as
sports, arts, music and camping to name a few.

The organization was founded in 2017 by Kristyn LaFleur, who worked with the
Seacoast Public Health Network on their Healthy Living Program. She saw needs that
weren’t being filled and formed Key Collective to meet them. With a $10,000 donation,
she launched the organization.

The Collective provides $200 scholarships to children so they can attend programs they
otherwise could not afford. The programs are provided by 40 various partner
organizations.

Key most importantly eliminates the red tape to establishing eligibility. Students and
their families are vetted once by the organization without having to expose the details of
their current circumstances. The children are given a card they can use for any of the
available programs.

In its first year, the organization provided services to 500 students. Last year, there
were 502 participants that used their cards 718 times. The 40 partner organizations
donated $163,000 in scholarship money. This year, some 550 students have already
joined the organization with 27percent coming from the Portsmouth School District. Key
currently services the Exeter, Hampton, Seabrook, and Portsmouth School districts.

The organization holds an annual Summer Benefit to bring awareness to the program.
This year’s event is being held June 25 between 6 and 8:30 pm. All are welcome.

Finally, Ben won the 50/50 prize of $32 dollars. There was a match for the $100 bonus.
His earnings were generously donated to the Key Collective.

 

Respectfully submitted by Mark Lorusso.