Bethesda - Chevy Chase Rotary and Bethesda Kiwanis Clubs Hold Traditional Thanksgiving Joint Membership Luncheon
Photos and text by Capital District Kiwanis Past Governor Bob Cressy

One of the great traditions in the community of Bethesda - Chevy Chase, Maryland, is the annual joint luncheon meeting of two great community service organizations, the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and the Rotary Club of Bethesda - Chevy Chase. It happens every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We have shared fellowship for at least two decades now with a fun filled meeting. Tuesday is the regular meeting day of Rotary and Thursday is Kiwanis'. Due to the holiday, we hold a joint meeting. Another of the wonderful traditions is that the clubs alternate hosting and running the meeting. This year is was Rotary's turn. Next year, the Kiwanis Club president will preside.

The Kiwanis Club of Bethesda and the Rotary Club of Bethesda - Chevy Chase share the spirit of community service and often interact to support one another's activities. At Thanksgiving for the last 26th years, the Rotary Club has held an "Annual Turkey Chase" race for the benefit of the Bethesda YMCA. The "Chase" is a fun race of five miles to raise funds for the "Y" and this year over 6,000 runners, and some walkers, participated. It is a major fund raiser for the YMCA and while this is the Rotary's sponsored race, the Kiwanis club annually supports it with racers, marshals, crew and spectators. Both organizations support the Bethesda YMCA throughout the year. The Rotary club also supports our annual Kiwanis - American Legion Veteran's Day ceremony by presenting a wreath at the memorial.

There is always a good program at the joint luncheon and this year was no exception. The speaker was Jody Olson, Deputy Director of the Peace Corps. Please see the caption on the picture shown below. And if your club has an opportunity to share in a joint meal and a joint project, don't be shy. Jump at the chance. Or create the opportunity!

Thanksgiving is not only a time to be thankful for our blessings, but also for turkey ... a BIG TURKEY! Mr. "Rotarian" Turkey visits the traditional annual Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club and Bethesda Kiwanis Club luncheon on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. "Mr. T" is there to kick off Rotary's "26th Annual Turkey Chase" held early Thanksgiving Day morning for over 6,000 ... YES, 6,000 runners! The fund raiser benefits the Bethesda YMCA, an organization supported by both clubs. With Mr. T is YMCA's Director of Marketing and Special Services and Kiwanian Bernadeen Zivkovic who works hard with the Rotary team to plan and conduct this very successful event.
Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club President France Pruitt, the day's program speaker Jody Olson, Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, and the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda President Debbie Van Horn share the spotlight at the podium. An estimated eighty plus members and guests attended. It is a Rotary meeting that Kiwanians attend as the Kiwanis meetings are on Thursday. We alternate our presidents being the presiding officer every other year. Kiwanians support the Turkey Chase, some as runners others as race workers or just spectators.
Jody Olson, Deputy Director of the Peace Corps was the program speaker at the Annual Thanksgiving luncheon at Kenwood Country Club. The luncheon is the big kickoff meeting for Rotary's "26th Annual Turkey Chase", a runner's event for 6,000 plus serious or fun-runners which is held Thanksgiving Day morning. Bethesda Club Kiwanians attend the joint luncheon and hosting is alternated by the club presidents. There is always lots of good natured fun and spirit.

Jody told us of the Peace Corps founding by President John F. Kennedy. Since then over 170,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in hundreds of countries around the world. Each person undertakes three month's training before serving two years on assignment. Volunteers can be of any age, just as long as they are willing and able to serve. Most learn the country's language and are great world ambassadors for the USA. She said they have three goals: (1) provide some sort of technical assistance to the country, (2) share who we are as Americans, and (3) bring the Peace Corps experience back home to share with America. Jody Olson also told us she was a little surprised and very pleased to see so many Rotary and Kiwanis Club logo signs throughout her world travels. We are both International indeed! Thank you, Jody, for your service. And to Rotarians and Kiwanians working together, thank YOU for your service to your communities!