Schedule for Upcoming Meetings, Service Projects, and Special Events,
Date
What’s Happening,
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025
Joe Drake of American Legion Post #18 on the latest from
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025
Annual Meeting - Officer Nominations
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2035
Dark
Tuesday, Dec, 30, 2025
Dark
Tuesday, December 2, 2025:
President Ray Goellner presided.
Ray led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Bates gave the invocation. Art Thorn led the recitation of the Four-Way Test.
Guests: Dakota Spillers, Dorian Carrasco, Larry Donigan, District 5520 Assistant Governor, Sheriff Raul Villanueva, Under Sheriff A.R. “Benny” Bencomo, and Sergeant Jake Benavidez our speaker.
Program:
Ray introduced Sergeant Jake Benavidez who serves as coordinator for the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. The D.A.R.E. program in Grant County is unique. It is the only one in the state that works with both the sheriff and police departments. This helps kids in the schools see that they are all on one team. It's a ten week program that gives school kids lessons on tobacco, alcohol, bullying, etc. The subject of hard core drugs is no longer dealt with because the coverage of that subject in the earlier version of the program actually seemed to lead kids to experiment with those drugs. The whole program is geared to helping kids make better life decisions. The kids are taught about trusted adults in their lives and how to handle peer pressure. D.A.R.E. has lessons to teach kindergarten through high school students, but currently it is primarily geared toward middle school students. Vaping has become a new topic since last year because vapes are now so easy to get. D.A.R.E. officers must go through two weeks of training to be certified. All students in the program are required to write an essay. The top winners of the essay contest are awarded a mountain bike. The program also holds public events such as the Buddy Walk, Easter egg hunts, and Trunk or Treat to keep kids involved in the community. Their Jump into Summer event which they put on with HMS every year has been a big success. Basically, they’re teaching kids how to be grownups. He feels if they help only one kid, it’s worth it. D.A.R.E. officers are required to go through one week’s training every year to get recertification. D.A.R.E. is a nonprofit always working from donations and is appreciative of them all. After a question and answer period, Ray thanked Sergeant Benavidez and turned to the club’s business.
Announcements: Mark Richard passed around a petition to sign if you opposed a proposed marijuana growing facility in downtown Silver City. Mark also spoke about the Valentine’s Day fundraiser on February 14 at Bear Mountain Lodge. He said we do not know who the beneficiary will be at this time. The ticket price will be $75 per person, and he suggested all members take two tickets to purchase or to sell. Tom Bates said that First American wants to sponsor us but first needs a letter about the purpose of the event and the different
sponsorship levels. Ray thanked Larry Donigan and Lescombes Winery for donating the wine. Larry in turn thanked Maggie for the letter she sent requesting this donation.
Ray said we need nominations for President-Elect and Secretary. We need to have the nominations and to vote on them by the December 16 annual meeting. Ray said he would like to nominate Tom Bates for the president-elect position. He asked the club’s assistance in other nominations.
coordinator for the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. The D.A.R.E. program in Grant County is unique. It is the only one in the state that works with both the sheriff and police departments. This helps kids in the schools see that they are all on one team. It's a ten week program that gives school kids lessons on tobacco, alcohol, bullying, etc. The subject of hard core drugs is no longer dealt with because the coverage of that subject in the earlier version of the program actually seemed to lead kids to experiment with those drugs. The whole program is geared to helping kids make better life decisions. The kids are taught about trusted adults in their lives and how to handle peer pressure. D.A.R.E. has lessons to teach kindergarten through high school students, but currently it is primarily geared toward middle school students. Vaping has become a new topic since last year because vapes are now so easy to get. D.A.R.E. officers must go through two weeks of training to be certified. All students in the program are required to write an essay. The top winners of the essay contest are awarded a mountain bike. The program also holds public events such as the Buddy Walk, Easter egg hunts, and Trunk or Treat to keep kids involved in the community. Their Jump into Summer event which they put on with HMS every year has been a big success. Basically, they’re teaching kids how to be grownups. He feels if they help only one kid, it’s worth it. D.A.R.E. officers are required to go through one week’s training every year to get recertification. D.A.R.E. is a nonprofit always working from donations and is appreciative of them all. After a question and answer period, Ray thanked Sergeant Benavidez and turned to the club’s business.