The Taylorville Kiwanis Club celebrated Kiwanis International's 100th anniversary, during their meeting Tuesday at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.
Reverend Dick Wamsley, a long-time member of the club, made a powerpoint presentation on the history of Kiwanis International and the local club.
What is today known as Kiwanis International, was founded in Detroit, Michigan, on January 21st, 1915, expanding to Cleveland later that year. Today, Kiwanis International brings its message of promoting programs for children and youth, to some 840 clubs and over 600-thousand members around the world.
The Taylorville Kiwanis Club was formed in 1954. 2 of its charter members, Herman Altman and Ralph Harrison, attended last fall's 60th anniversary celebration. The local club has been instrumental in sponsoring the Taylorville High School Kiwanis Key Club, the Junior High Kiwanis Builder's Club, and has sponsored many programs for local children and youth.
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Wamsley told the club that it was also instrumental in founding the Christian County Mental Health Association in the 1970's.
The public is reminded to attend the Kiwanis Club's annual Pancake and Sausage Day on Saturday, January 31st from 6:30 to 11am at the Taylorville Moose Lodge. Proceeds from the fund raiser help the local Kiwanis Club provide services and programs for children and youth in the Taylorville community, such as Kiwanis Park, Coats for Kids, and high school scholarships.
The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium. For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.
