Celebrating Excellence: Honoring Our Kiwanis Members’ Remarkable Service

Recognizing Those Who Make a Difference

At the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime, we believe in celebrating the people who make our mission possible. Recently, we had the honor of recognizing members whose dedication and service exemplify the very best of what it means to be a Kiwanian.

Distinguished Club Members

Seven exceptional members received Distinguished Club Member recognition for going above and beyond this past year: Santiago Bañuelos, Donna Beal, Michelle Galanski, Eileen Geraci, Steve Geraci, Alex Posada, and Julie Posada. Their commitment, creativity, and compassion have strengthened our community in countless ways.


Decades of Dedication

Some commitments are measured not in months, but in decades. We were moved to present the prestigious Legion of Honor award to members who have dedicated significant portions of their lives to Kiwanis service:

  • Julie Posada: 30 years of unwavering dedication
  • Jim Burubeltz: 45 years of community impact
  • Bob Morrison: An extraordinary 50 years of service

Special Recognitions

The awards continued with well-deserved special honors:

  • Genevieve Siwabessy earned Rookie of the Year, proving that fresh enthusiasm and dedication know no bounds
  • Eileen Geraci was named Kiwanian of the Year—a true testament to her exceptional contributions
  • Santiago Bañuelos, Marisol Cruz, and Bob Morrison each received the William A. Dunlap Fellowship Award
  • Tiffany Fife McInerney was honored with the Rose Float Fellowship Award

Perhaps one of our most exciting moments was unveiling the Governor Banner for Steve Geraci, celebrating his appointment as Governor for the California-Nevada-Hawaii District. Steve’s leadership will now inspire Kiwanis clubs across three states!

Every award tells a story of service, compassion, and community. We’re proud to stand alongside these remarkable individuals as we continue our mission to serve the children of Santa Maria and beyond.

Best of NSBC Class of 2025

💫 It’s official! The Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria has been voted Best Nonprofit & Best Place to Volunteer—and we couldn’t be more grateful.

Together, we’re creating meaningful change, supporting youth, and building a stronger Santa Maria. Here’s to continuing our service with heart and purpose! 💛
#BestNonprofit2025 #KiwanisCares #CommunityMatters

Bunco Party – August 16

Get your tickets now for the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime fun-filled bunco party and bake sale on August 16, 2025, from 12 noon to 3 pm at the Minami Community Center, 600 W Enos, Santa Maria. Tickets are $40 and include lunch. First-time players are welcome! Prizes will be awarded for most Buncos, most losses, most wins, and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Wine, beer, and mimosas will be available for purchase.

Proceeds will help the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria fund vital community projects, such as Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Children’s Resource and Referral, Allan Hancock College Foundation, Key Club initiatives, and scholarships for local graduating seniors.

Email [email protected] to order your tickets today!

Booze Wagon Drawing

🍾 Win the ULTIMATE Booze Wagon!

Picture this: a fully stocked cooler filled with $600+ worth of the finest liquor, wine, and craft beer—ALL YOURS! 🥂🍻🥃

🎟 Tickets on sale NOW

Thanks to Far Western Liquor & Orcutt Liquor and Deli, this dream bar setup could be yours! Will YOU be the lucky winner? Email [email protected] to purchase your tickets today.

$20 per ticket

🏆 Winner drawn May 10 at the BBQ Festival

Mardi Gras Benefit Draw & Casino Night!

Join Us for Mardi Gras Fun at the Kiwanis Benefit Draw & Casino Night!

SANTA MARIA, CA – The Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria invites you to our biggest fundraiser of the year – the Mardi Gras Benefit Draw & Casino Night!

📅 Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
📍 Location: Mussell Senior Center, 510 E Park Ave, Santa Maria
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

🎉 Enjoy an evening of food, fun, and fundraising! Your $100 ticket includes dinner for two and entry into the Benefit Draw, where the last ticket drawn is the grand prize winner! Plus, try your luck at the 50/50 drawing, casino games, and RoShamBo showdown.

This exciting event helps fund Kiwanis projects that benefit the Santa Maria community. Join us and let the good times roll!

🎟️ Tickets are limited – reserve yours today at https://us.givergy.com/KiwanisClubofSantaMaria or email [email protected].

Opportunity Drawing

🍾 Win the ULTIMATE Booze Wagon!

Picture this: a fully stocked cooler filled with $600+ worth of the finest liquor, wine, and craft beer—ALL YOURS! 🥂🍻🥃

🎟 Tickets go on sale March 1

Thanks to Far Western Liquor, this dream bar setup could be yours! Will YOU be the lucky winner?

$20 per ticket

🏆 Winner drawn May 10 at the BBQ Festival

Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime Welcomes New Leadership and Celebrates Member Contributions

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime is pleased to announce its leadership transition, effective this October. Donna K. Beal will assume the role of President, with Anna Rubcic stepping into the position of President-Elect. The leadership team also includes Elaine Guzman as Vice President, Julie Posada as Immediate Past President, Ann Batterson as Secretary, and Steve Geraci as Treasurer.

New appointees to the Santa Maria Board of Directors include Dr. Ray Arensdorf, Santiago Bañuelos, Jim Burubeltz, Diego Cardenas Garcia, Ernesto Castillas, and Silvia Oishi-Cheatham.

The Kiwanis for Kids foundation board, focused on philanthropic efforts, welcomes Bob Doyle, Alex Posada, and Marisol Cruz, who will serve as Treasurer.

The club extends heartfelt thanks to the outgoing leadership for their dedication and contributions over the past year.

Additionally, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime recently recognized its members for their outstanding contributions and long-standing service. The following members were honored as Distinguished Club Members for their exceptional dedication over the past year: Santiago Bañuelos, Donna Beal, Steve Geraci, Alex Posada, Julie Posada, and Glenn Prezkop.

Several members were also recognized with the prestigious Legion of Honor award for their years of membership: Jason Davie (25 years), Bob Doyle (25 years), Ed Galanski (25 years), Alex Posada (30 years), Joyce Ellen Lippman (35 years), Michael Moats (40 years), and Al Vierra (55 years).

Special honors were also presented to Michelle Galanski, who received the George F. Hixon Fellowship Award; Elaine Guzman, recipient of the William A. Dunlap Fellowship Award; and Pete Simmons, who was awarded the Rose Float Fellowship Award.

Two key milestones were celebrated, including the installation of Julie Posada as the District’s Lt. Governor and the unveiling of the Governor-Elect Banner for Steve Geraci, marking his appointment as the Governor-Elect for California.

Bunco Party – August 18

Get your tickets now for the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria-Noontime fun-filled bunco party and bake sale on August 18, 2024, from 12 noon to 3 pm at the Mussell Senior Center, 510 Park Ave, Santa Maria. Tickets are $40 and include lunch. First-time players are welcome! Prizes will be awarded for most Buncos, most losses, most wins, and there will be a 50/50 raffle. Wine, beer, and mimosas will be available for purchase.

Proceeds will help the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria fund vital community projects, such as CASA, United Way, Special Olympics, Family Service Agency, Key Club initiatives, and scholarships for local graduating seniors.

$51,970 in scholarships awarded to local youth

During the Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria Noontime Scholarships Awards dinner, $51,970 in scholarships were given to 38 recipients in May. To see the individual winners, go to https://www.facebook.com/KiwanisSantaMaria/

California Scholarship Federation

The California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is a state-wide academic honors organization whose purpose is to recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. The award is now regarded as one of the highest scholastic honors given to secondary school graduates in the State of California. Each student receives recognition by name and a medal honoring their service and academic achievement.

Each year our club BBQs for the CSF Recognition dinner, which is scheduled for March 13, 2024.

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