Kiwanis Club celebrates 35 years of community service
Posted Nov 26, 2009 By Chris Must
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EMC News - The local chapter of a global organization dedicated to changing the world one child at a time reached a major milestone this month. The Kiwanis Club of Perth-on-Tay marked 35 years of community service Nov. 21.
Chris Must, Perth EMC
The Kiwanis Club of Perth-On-Tay celebrated 35 years of community service this month. Club President Marilyn Devlin and former president Ron Jones hold the charter presented to the club by Kiwanis International Nov. 21, 1974.
Officially chartered on that date in 1974, the club celebrated its anniversary with a reception at The Factory Grind last Thursday, attended by club members, guests from other eastern Ontario clubs, and a few prospective members. Visitors from clubs in Pembroke, Manotick, Ottawa West and Ottawa-Vanier were on hand for the occasion.
"Kiwanis is all about helping kids," said Jay McLaren, Lieutenant Governor of Kiwanis Division 13, who travelled from Pembroke for the occasion. "Our logo says 'children are priority one.'"
Perth club president Marilyn Devlin said one the organization's most successful local initiatives is the Terrific Kids program. Aimed at helping develop self esteem, leadership skills, morals and standards in children at an early age, the Perth program operates in 13 schools in Perth, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Westport, Lanark, Port Elmsley and Drummond Centre. Teachers select two students from each classroom to receive the awards every month. The winners receive a pencil, pen, certificate and sticker, while the parents receive a bumper sticker reading "I'm a proud parent of a terrific kid."
"That is one of our best projects and in all our division we have the largest Terrific Kids program," said Devlin, who is currently serving her second term as club president.
An international initiative supported by the Perth-on-Tay club is Sleeping Children Around the World, a program which provides bed kits to children in underdeveloped and developing countries. Costing $35, each bed kit consists of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if needed), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. Bed kit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs.
Since its founding by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970, Sleeping Children Around the World has raised over $20 million to provide kits for over 900,000 children in 33 countries, and will reach its millionth child in 2009.
Perth club member Keith Hall said the club normally purchases 10 bed kits and members volunteer to travel to the recipient country at their own expense to help distribute them.
Some local projects financially supported by donations from the club include the Snowsuit Fund, the Perth and District Food Bank, Air Cadet Squadron 585, Canada Day races at Conlon Farm, the YAK Youth Centre, Lanark Youth Club, Interval House, children's camps, the Great War Memorial Hospital Foundation, the annual Kidfish Derby and the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles program.
Another recent initiative is a program spearheaded by new member Helen Gamble to recycle used cell phones, computer ink cartridges and digital cameras. Collection points have been established at Perth PC, Copies R Us, Shoppers Drug Mart and the Perth Restaurant. "Helen has put in an awful lot of work to get this program off the ground," said Devlin.
Devlin said the club is also working to start a reading program in local elementary schools.
Funds for these service projects are raised through initiatives such as a bottle drive which raised $6,000 last year. As well, members sell gift cards and cakes and fudge. The club is also famous for their buffalo burgers sold at every Festival of the Maples.
The Perth-on-Tay Kiwanis Club currently has 29 members, including one charter member. Peter Kotsovolos, former owner of the Perth Restaurant, has been a member since the chapter was founded in 1974.
The club meets on the first three Thursdays of each month at noon and at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday. Meetings are held at the Perth Restaurant, and the president is responsible for lining up three guest speakers each month. "We're non-religious, but we do have an opening prayer, and a happy thought for the day," said Devlin.
Other executive members of 2009-2010 include past president Boyd Thompson, vice-president Helen Gamble, secretary Keith Hall, treasurer Murray Ault and directors at large Karl Delorme, Penny Friend, Ron Jones, Marie Shaw and Red Stewart.
"When you give, you get," said Lieutenant Governor McLaren. "Joining Kiwanis is a decision you'll never regret."
Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis International now has more than 13,000 clubs in more than 90 countries.
