Murphysboro Kiwanis --Illinois, USA

Andrew Erbes is a 2005 graduate of Murphysboro High School and is currently attending John A. Logan College in pursuit of a degree in Political Science. He is a former member of Builders Club and Key Club, having served as the treasurer for Builders as well as club secretary for a year with Key Club.

Andrew joined the Kiwanis Club of Murphysboro after graduating from high school rather than joining Circle K, as other college-aged K-Family members tend to do.  This was because he felt more comfortable with the Kiwanis club members whom he had established relationships with through his Builders and Key Club years.

Andrew served as the club’s 2008-2009 President-Elect before taking on the role of 2009-2010 President. His projects and the focus for his tenure are simple; to retain and gain members and to continue the club’s traditional fundraisers along with adding innovative fundraisers such as the Murphysboro Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis joint “Karing for Kids” Chicken & Dumpling Dinner. In addition to these goals, Andrew intends to see his club return back to the community as much as it collects through its fundraising efforts.  He feels that this is the main function of Kiwanis; fundraise within the community and get the money back out into the community as soon as possible. In this way, the Kiwanis Club of Murphysboro will be able to help as many needy persons as possible.

Andrew also serves as Speaker of the House for the Illinois Intercollegiate Model Illinois Government (MIG). He enjoys traveling, eating, socializing and automobiles (being particularly fond of Lincolns). He is Operations Manager for his family's coffee shop, Gloria Jean's Coffees in the University Mall at Carbondale, Illinois and dreams of a career serving the public through Illinois politics. He's two election races in (albeit failed races) and doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon!