


Member Spotlight - We would like to spotlight our new Club President, Andreas Zapletal.
Andreas has written a special article on his amazing story beginning in his childhood where he received assistance from Kiwanis, to where he is now…. An amazing read!
“A child will feel capable of doing anything they can think of if they feel supported.” - Andreas Zapletal
Kiwanis was that for me when I needed it most.
While there are many more horrifying stories than mine, I had my fair share of challenges growing up. My mom died of cancer when I was 12. My dad remarried shortly after, and I rebelled against the blended family. While I didn’t drink or do drugs, my behaviour was challenging for my family, and they made the tough decision that I should move out the day after my 16th birthday. Fortunately for me, they found Kiwanis Youth Residence, so I wasn’t out on the street fending for myself.
My first day at Kiwanis Youth Residence made me fear where I had landed. One of the residents choked another resident to the point of blacking out, because they had walked “too loudly”. I found out later that the attacker was high on cocaine. I knew nothing about that - drugs were new to me as I’d been sheltered from that life until now. From there things fortunately got better, both for me and for the attacker, Ron, who I learned years later had gotten off drugs and moved back home with his mom. Another life positively impacted by Kiwanis.
A huge thank you to everyone that purchased tickets. We couldn’t have done this without you. Proceeds go to helping more kids in Muskoka!





Andreas Zapletal, incoming President of the Kiwanis Club of Huntsville Muskoka, is getting “Stuck on a Truck” for a good cause—and he needs your help to earn his way down! Or maybe we need to pledge more to keep him up there! We haven't decided yet, but either way, your pledge goes to a great cause - One Kids Place!
📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
🕚 11 a.m.–noon
📍 River Mill Park, Huntsville
Let’s rally behind Andreas! Make a donation, and come out to cheer him on.
Donate online:
Support Andreas through One Kids Place on CanadaHelps
⭐ Please include “Andreas Zapletal” in the online donation form so your gift counts toward his fundraising efforts.
Accepting the donation on behalf of the Kiwanis Club were Andreas, Rick, Sharon and Jan.

We honestly think this may have been the biggest IRONKIDS event we’ve ever seen! It was incredible to watch so many children take on the course with determination, excitement, and huge smiles, while being cheered on by their families and friends. Seeing so many young people embracing an active, healthy lifestyle is something truly special.
There were smiles, laughter, a few tears of joy, and even a few tears of exhaustion—but every single child who started the race crossed that finish line, and that’s something to celebrate! We are so proud of every one of these amazing young athletes.
A huge thank you to IRONMAN 70.3 Muskoka for inviting the Kiwanis Club of Huntsville Muskoka to be part of this wonderful event once again. Thank you to Egg Farmers of Ontario (Get Cracking!) for the fantastic goodie bags, Bullock’s Your Independent Grocer for the much-appreciated Freezies, and to all of our sponsors, supporters, and volunteers. Events like this simply wouldn’t be possible without your generosity and dedication.
Most of all, thank you to the families who brought their children out to participate and make IRONKIDS such a memorable event. We loved cheering every one of you across the finish line, and we can’t wait to do it all again next year! ❤️🏅











This is not a new program, but new to us; and one we feel we are now able as a community to actively support in this somewhat post-covid world.
How it works is simple...

