The Buena Marching Band has much on common with the Rotary

The Marching Band builds goodwill for audiences and members alike and the band is similar to a family — it feels safe.

Also, the band teaches discipline which is illustrated as rehearsals are held at 6 a.m. and in addition provides many leadership opportunities for members, such as section leader or band officer.

The band also helps students grow and develop, focusing on achieving what the student wishes to achieve. The Buena Marching Band has much on common with the Rotary 4-Way test. Tyler plans on attending the University of Arizona and studying music.

Patricia Peterson and Krystal Speed updated the club on the collection shoes by the Community Coalition for Haiti.

Currently, 3,000 pairs of shoes have been collected and are being stored at Horizon Moving and Storage until arrangements are finalized for shipment to Haiti.

Both thanked the club for all the support provided for the collection of shoes.

Col. Roger Sangvic (Chief of Staff, USA Intelligence Center) and Rebecca Pipik (director, Kids Hope USA Mentoring Program for Cochise County) introduced the Rotary Club to the goals and objectives of Kids Hope USA which provides a one-on-one adult relationship with at-risk children in elementary schools.

This program is a partnership between a local church congregation and an elementary school which pairs at-risk students with mentors to provide a supportive adult relationship.

Pipik explained that mentors are trained and provided support materials by Kids Hope USA and will spend one hour per week reading, talking, playing and listening to a child.

The goal of course, is to help that child feel loved and valued which are essential for a child to learn, grow and succeed in life.

Col. Sangvic explained Kids Hope USA began on Fort Huachuca as a means to make a difference in the lives of at-risk students.

This program focuses on support and currently there are nine Kids Hope USA mentors available on Fort Huachuca.

Thunder Mountain Community Church was the first religious group in Sierra Vista to sponsor a Kids Hope USA mentor program and currently has 17 mentors working with at-risk students.

Recently, the Village Meadows Baptist Church signed up to sponsor Kids Hope USA mentor program at Village Meadows Elementary School.

Pipik explained all training is provided for mentors as well as the materials required by Kids Hope USA.

This is a turn-key operation and provides a positive and meaningful way for church organizations to reach out to the community.

Currently, Kids Hope USA is seeking sponsoring church organizations for other schools in Sierra Vista as well as elsewhere in Cochise County.

The goal is to have a Kids Hope USA mentor program at every elementary school in Cochise County.