Since the club was chartered in late 1961, a number of service related projects have been initiated; some at the very beginning, while others have been added across the years. And, the Club has participated jointly with other organizations to accomplish still other community-based activities.
During its first year the Club initiated the Annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Village Park. That activity has grown considerably across the years. Initially, each member of the club was asked to bring two dozen boiled, colored eggs for the event. Now it has expanded to include all kinds of candy, eggs and assorted prizes.
Another income-related project which was started early on is the Annual Pancake Breakfast. It too has become a tradition and has served the Club and community well across the years.
Some of the service-related things which Kiwanis accomplishes are:
Annual holiday dinner for the residents of Louise Terrace
The sponsorship of the Annual Track Meet at Teays Valley High School
Road Cleanup several years a time
Sponsor a Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack.
Participate in funding and helping with the Summer "Fun in the Sun" program at the Village Park
We cooperate and provide help along with the Community Club Annual Fourth of July Activities
Participate in the Ashville Area food Pantry and provide food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas time for needy families
We provide some assistance with the Summer Gazebo Gatherings which has become extremely popular these last few years
We join with a number of other agencies in supporting the Annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life, held at the Teays Valley High School and sponsor a team to walk as well
Support the American Red Cross with the Blood Drive
Lend support to the High School Key Club and the Middle School Builders Club (both of which are affiliates of Kiwanis International)
Several years ago we began the Howard Hosier Scholarship Fund which provides monies for an annual award to a deserving student.
The club sponsors a number of school-related activities such as the Teen Institutes, Young Authors Program, Kiwanis Sportsmanship Awards for each sport in each season, recognize the top academic students in each of the junior and senior classes. The Club sponsors a representative to the Youth Leadership Program annually.
There are other projects related to Kiwanis International which benefit persons and organizations beyond our immediate community; and there are a number of other local activities such as the Annual Ash Wednesday Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the Spiritual Aims Committee.
Members frequently participate with the Circle of Caring agency to transport persons to the doctor or the hospital or to provide service such as building a handicap ramp or some other chore where there is a need.
The Motto of Kiwanis International is "WE BUILD", and is truly the desire of this club to live out that motto. It has been our challenge these past forty years, and it will be the banner under which we will continue to operate in future years. We are most appreciative of the support this community has given us in the past and we know we can count on that support in the future as together we serve our people. |
