On the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, a dedicated group of members gathers for a Tri-Community Kiwanis Club meeting. While the atmosphere is warm, friendly, and includes a free dinner for guests, the mission driving these volunteers is profoundly impactful.
At its core, Kiwanis International is a global volunteer organization focused on improving the lives of children and strengthening local communities. But here in the High Desert, the Tri-Community chapter brings that massive mission straight home to Phelan, Piñon Hills, and Wrightwood. “Kiwanis is about people using their time, skills, and compassion to make their communities better, especially for kids,” says High Desert Kiwanis Treasurer Carol Smith, “It combines community service, friendship, leadership, and local impact in a way that helps members build meaningful connections while giving back.”
Currently consisting of 20 passionate members, the Tri-Community club is a powerhouse of local support. They actively sponsor the Builders Club at Heritage Elementary and the Key Club at Serrano High School, bridging the gap between generations through mentorship. This support extends financially with $500 scholarships awarded to graduating seniors at Serrano and Chaparral High Schools. Beyond financial aid, the club is deeply hands-on. Kiwanis funding and Key Club ingenuity combine for Kids on the Block. This is a unique program where high school students learn scripts and operate puppets to perform diversity-education skits for local third-grade classes.
Their community footprint is everywhere you look:
- Literacy Lifelines: The club has established Little Free Libraries at Piñon Hills Elementary and Heritage Elementary, with a brand-new box currently being installed at the Paizley Vintage store in Phelan. They also host annual book giveaways, rotating schools each year to ensure local kids have reading material for the summer.
- Community Traditions: Signature fundraisers such as Quartermania, the Phelan Fiesta 5K, and the Horse Derby fund vital community endeavors.
- Neighborly Care: Members assemble and distribute veterans’ dinners, swag bags for local seniors, backpacks for students, and cozy blankets for local charities.
While the club works hard, their monthly meetings are also a hub for fellowship and learning, featuring a rotating lineup of guest speakers organized by the members themselves. At the May 14th meeting, attendees were treated to a presentation by Alex Garcia, the local owner and creator of Bad Bud’s Que. Garcia shared his journey of turning a passion for cooking into a thriving artisanal spice business.
Garcia explained that no matter what he cooked, everyone always asked about the seasonings. Intrigued, he began researching what was really in those store bought options he had been using. Appalled by the artificial additives and unrecognizable chemicals inside them, he decided to forge his own path, engineering custom blends using only clean, natural ingredients you can actually pronounce. After much time and dedication honing his craft of careful experimentation and testing on family and friends, Bad Bud’s Que became a reality and has now been operating for almost 7 years. Garcia is constantly innovating; his latest flavor additions include a Smoked Montreal Steak Seasoning, Santa Maria Style Seasoning, Tequila Lime Seasoning, Honey Garlic BBQ Rub, and a unique Tequila White Pepper blend.
For Garcia, customer service is personal. He ensures that once orders are placed, they are fulfilled and shipped out as quickly as possible. His business philosophy is simple and optimistic: “If somebody is ordering seasonings, it means they want to cook!” (Note: Locals interested in viewing a full product list or placing an order can email [email protected]).
The meeting also highlighted the incredible dedication of the club’s youth leadership advisors, showcasing both fresh faces and seasoned lifetimers. Looking ahead to the next school year, Gracie Gonzales will be stepping up as a Co-Key Club Advisor for the first time, partnering alongside Anna Godfrey at Serrano High School. Gonzales shared her enthusiasm for the new role, stating she is “looking forward to getting more involved with the kids in the community.” Gonzales joins a robust support system of mentors, including retired teacher Morgan Reed. Though Reed retired from teaching last year, his devotion to the community hasn’t missed a beat; he continues to actively serve on the Kiwanis board.
During his teaching career, Reed ran the Piñon Hills Builders Club as well as the Serrano Key Club, at separate times, for a collective 11 years. When asked how he successfully managed both clubs for over a decade despite the massive, unpaid time commitment, Reed’s answer was simple. “I didn’t want to let the kids down,” Reed shared, “I was put on this earth to serve others, and that’s what I do.” Reed lives that philosophy every single day, starting his mornings by asking himself, “What can I do for others?” He aims to complete at least three good deeds a day, and if he ever falls short, he simply adds them to his goal for the next day.
To keep these vital programs alive, the Tri-Community Kiwanis Club is looking to grow. “We need more members!” Carol Smith emphasizes, adding that the club is incredibly flexible for busy parents or working professionals. If you want to see the Kiwanis in action, their next major public event will be the popular Quartermania fundraiser happening this Fall. However, residents don’t need to wait until autumn to make a difference or check out a meeting. If you are interested in joining, attending a future meeting, or simply volunteering to help out with a single community project, you can reach out directly to Treasurer Carol Smith at 951-757-8369.
