Kiwanis Club of
Montgomery County-Blacksburg
Service and Fund-Raising Projects
The Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County-Blacksburg sponsors some eighteen
community service, fund-raising and club service projects. Active
participation in these projects provides an opportunity for members to benefit
the community and to get to know other service-minded people from a wide range
of ages, experiences, backgrounds and interests. Members are strongly
encouraged to volunteer to participate in a number of these projects.
Major projects of the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County-Blacksburg for the
current year are shown below.
Community Service
CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE
Our club participates in this Kiwanis International
major emphasis program which focuses on the needs of children under the age of
five. The club distributes child ID kits to children’s parents
through the local hospital and the county health department. The child ID
kits include the child’s picture, physical information, dental records, medical
information, finger prints and a DNA sample so the child can be identified in
event of an emergency.
The club purchases books appropriate for pre-school children. The books
are given to “at risk” children throughout the county to encourage early
interest in reading. The distribution of the books is coordinated through
the teachers in the public schools.
Other activities of this program have been the distribution of bicycle helmets
project, the teen mother’s project, the distribution of library kits to day
care centers project and the distribution and installation of smoke detectors
for low-income families’ project.
CIRCLE K OF
Throughout the year our club serves as the sponsor to
the Circle K Club of Virginia Tech. Representatives of Circle K are
invited to attend all regular meetings of our club and are given an opportunity
weekly to report on their activities. Representatives of our club
volunteer to attend Circle K meetings on Wednesday evenings throughout the
year. Members of Circle K and members of our club work together on a
number of service and fund-raising projects that are conducted throughout the
year.
BLACKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB
Our club works with the Blacksburg High School Key
Club as an advisor and project participant.
One or more members attend Key Club meetings throughout the year to
support their programs. Our members
volunteer to help the Key Club conduct selected projects and their club members
volunteer to work with our club on some projects.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHRISTMAS STORE
Several Kiwanis members volunteer each fall to help
set up the Montgomery County Christmas Store. The club takes full responsibility
for planning and operating the Seniors Section of the Christmas Store.
While the store is in operation volunteers work in the Seniors Section as well
as in other areas of the store. Also, the club makes an annual financial
contribution to the store.
LAYPERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
A special recognition program
is held each year to recognize the winner of the "Gunnar Theilmann Layperson of The Year" award.
Nominations of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the
community are solicited and a committee evaluates the nominees against the
award’s criteria. The recipient receives an engraved plaque and a cash award at
the recognition ceremony.
SALVATION ARMY
The club participates in a ceremony to kick off the annual
Salvation Army Bell Ringers fund raiser.
Members serve as bell ringers for the remainder of the day following the
ceremony.
SALVATION ARMY ANGLE TREE GIFTS
The club members donate gifts for thirty children
through the Angel Tree program of the Salvation Army. The gifts are distributed to the children in
time for Christmas.
BOY SCOUTS
The club provides financial support through the New River Friends of
Scouting to provide for one full day of scouting for the 16,000 scouts in the
district.
CHILDREN’S HEALTH INITATIVE PROGRAM
The club provides annual financial support to support programs for the
Children’s Health Imitative Program.
BOYS STATE / GIRLS STATE
The club provides annual
financial support so youth can travel and participate in the Boys State and
Girls State programs.
SPECAIL OLYMPICS SUPPORT
The club provides volunteer help in conduction the Special Olympics
competition in Blacksburg each year.
Fund Raising
GOLF TOURAMENT
The Montgomery County-Blacksburg Kiwanis Golf Tournament is
sponsored annually at the Auburn Hills Country Club in
BRURNSWICK STEW FUNDRAISER
The club contracts with a vendor to help us make several hundred
quarts of Brunswick stew each spring.
The club, working as individuals and through other organizations, sells
the stew and raises funds for our club.
KROGER PLUS CARDS
Kiwanis members volunteer to distribute Kroger Plus
Cards for a week at two Blacksburg stores in return for Kroger’s contribution
to our charitable fund.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT APPLEBEES
Kiwanis members volunteers to serve a pancake breakfast at Applebees restaurant
and uses the profits as a fundraiser.
Club Service
PROGRAMS AT WEEKLY MEETINGS
Our club places high priority on having interesting and informative programs at
our weekly meetings. Speakers from business, government, education, medicine,
sports, and other civic clubs are invited to make brief presentations and to
respond to questions from members. These presentations keep our members
informed on a wide range of issues important to our community. All meeting
adjourn by 1 p.m. to accommodate the afternoon schedules of members.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR MEMBERS
Our club sponsors a number of social activities for
members and their families. During the summer, picnics for members and their
families are held monthly. During each September, an Installation Banquet is
held to install the new officers. In December, a Christmas Party is held for
the members and their spouses. A Valentine is usually held in mid
winter. Other activities may be held as planned by the Social Committee.
INTERCLUB VISITS
Teams of four club members visit other Kiwanis clubs
throughout the district to share fellowship, a meal and their
program. Twelve interclub visits are made annually throughout the
district. During the past year one or more visits were made to weekly meetings
of clubs at Marion, Wytheville, Radford, Christiansburg, and Bluefield.
Club Home Page / Members / Club History / Service Activities / Club Calendar / Club Officers
Page maintained by Jim Bell