Club members bought toys and clothing, which Santa distributed at the club’s annual Christmas party.In 2019, the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg celebrated its 70th anniversary with a year-long commitment to service and service projects..
All club Service Account funding comes from community fundraisers with the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival as the major fundraiser. All income from the fundraisers goes into the Service Account, and 100% is funneled back into the community, with most going to support the local youth. All administrative costs, including meeting meals, are paid for by the members’ personal club dues. For the year, the Service Account income and expenses exceeded $60,000 and the administrative income totaled approximately $20,000.
This year the club and its members provided 2,212 hours of community service to our locality.
Most of this year’s programs were recurring and were geared to support children in Christiansburg.
The following programs and projects were carried out in 2019.
1. The Head Start Backpack Program. Each Thursday, prior to each club meetings, Kiwanis members meet at the Head Start building and pack 57 backpacks for the Head Start children. The school luncheon program provides meals for them during the weekdays, and the Kiwanis Backpack Program provides food during the weekend. In support of this program, members procure food, inventory and store it and then pack the bags.
The club also donated new microwave ovens to the families of the children who did not have one to warm or cook the provided food.
2. Two Walmart gift cards for $550 each ($500 from the Kiwanis Club and $50 from Walmart), were donated supplied to each of the six schools in Christiansburg. One card was a clothing card; the other was a school supplies card.The cards are used to buy clothing and school supplies for children who cannot afford to buy their own. Once the cards begin to reach a low balance, the club replaces them upon request from the schools.
3. Three $1,500 scholarships were provided to Christiansburg High School students who needed support for their continuing education.
4. With the help of the CHS cheerleaders, the club sells the ads for the school’s football program and then organizes; prints and distributes the final product at home football games. The cheerleading squad receives a portion of the income to support their efforts.
5. A Christmas party for approximately 60 children was held. The club and club members provided toys and clothing with Santa distributing both at a party where food and drink is provided. The children are selected by the teachers from the local schools. Using input from the children’s parents as to the needs and sizes of the clothing, the club members each take a child’s name and buy clothing. The club buys toys from a want list supplied by the parents. The cost of the project exceeded $11,000.
6. CMS’s Kiwanis Builders Club was founded and is administered by the Christiansburg Club. This is one of the youth clubs that falls under the Kiwanis International’s umbrella.
7. For children who cannot pay the entry fees to participate in sports at the Christiansburg Recreation Center and the Aquatic Center, Kiwanis pays the fees.
8. Cash contributions of $1,000 each were made to the Agency on Aging and IDA $1000. Contributions of $500 each were made to Boys and Girls State $500..
9. The club once again sponsored the Wilderness Trail Festival, the 46th year of the event. The consensus was that it was the largest crowd ever to attend. The festival featured 134 vendors and income exceeded expectations.
10. Teaming with the Town of Christiansburg, the club co-sponsored the annual Easter egg hunt at Kiwanis Park
11. The club provides ongoing support to Kiwanis Park where an approximately five-acre expansion is under way.
This year the club, along with the Blacksburg-Montgomery Kiwanis Club, co-sponsored a new Kiwanis Club in Giles County. For the first time, the club presented a gospel concert at CHS as a fundraiser.
The club currently has 59 members and is the largest club in Division 16 of the Capital District.
Twenty Kiwanis members had perfect meeting attendance for the year. This year, one of our members was elected as Lt. Governor of Division 16.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg has provided service to the local community since its charter was granted in 1949.
