Many individuals join Kiwanis clubs specifically because we are an international
organization with a global mission-that lofty goal of changing
the world one child and one community at a time. To this
point, with a few notable exceptions, our Capital District
clubs seem to have focused on local efforts directed toward
helping our own children and communities. This is commendable,
but it does not address the incredible needs of children
worldwide...Accordingly,
our District Committee on International Understanding has
decided to pursue a new approach
to achieving our global mission. We have selected Africa because its needs are great and most of us know extremely
little about this part of the world...Kiwanis
of Abingdon Holds Successful Events
by Carl Clarke
The Kiwanis Club of Abingdon, VA, has had a busy and productive year. On May 24, more than half the club's members worked at Plumb Alley Day, the much anticipated one-day festival in the town's Old and Historic District. The Day features yard sales, arts and crafts booths, food vendors, children's activities, bagpipers, a rock band and a crowd-pleasing dance company. Revenue from corporate sponsors, donations, vendors, and the big Kiwanis yard sale brought in nearly $20,000. Expenses approached $4,500, and the net the club earned for local charities and service organizations was $15,500-- $2000 more than last year.
Kiwanis estimates that 10,000 people walk the charming Alley during the day. One reason is that Club members Rusty Cury and Jean Neal of radio station WABN 1230 AM did a live remote broadcast from the Alley all day, drawing a steady and probably record crowd.
Thousands attended the Club's newest fundraiser, the Wings and Wheels Vintage Aircraft and Auto Show on Saturday, July 26 at the Virginia Highlands Airport. Wings and Wheels was designed to replace a previous activity that stretched over 17 days and was difficult to staff with enough members. At least 106 classic cars and 15 antique planes covered the airport's parking area. There was a veritable sea of people, with lines to get in, lines for cars to register, and lines at the food booths. Between 40-50 Kiwanis members worked either in advance of the event or on the Saturday itself. "Everyone pulled together and made this thing work," said Gary Crane, Chairperson, and 2008-2009 president. Revenues justified all the planning. The Club netted $5850 for the children's organizations it supports, and exceeded income from the previous fundraiser with only one day's concentrated effort. Again, WABN radio broadcast live from the air field all day. "It was a very successful show and I thank everyone who contributed," Crane said. Next up for Kiwanis of Abingdon is the 40th Annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade, which is less a fundraiser than a public service to the people of Abingdon and Washington County.
