Jewell Ryals and Becky Medlin were part of the Kiwanis team at the recent Business Expo hosted by the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce.
Fuquay-Varina has its very own Kiwanis Club. This local club is part of a much larger organization: “Kiwanis International.” All members are driven by one passion: “To change the world, one child and one community at a time.”
The word “Kiwanis” comes from a Native American tribe, the Otchipew, according to Wikipedia. This word’s meanings include: “We trade,” “We share our talents,” “We make a noise,” and “We meet.” The various meanings of this word express to some degree, how the Kiwanians achieve their goals.
The Kiwanis, both local and global, have made a difference in the lives of many children, and teenagers by “trading their time” for the benefit of others and “sharing their talents” to participate in projects that meet these goals.
They “make a noise” by raising public awareness of the needs of our children locally and globally and educating the underprivileged all over the world about better and safer health practices, as well as providing shelter to the homeless and food for those in need.
“They meet” twice a month to plan, to volunteer and to fellowship while working on projects to raise funds for our city’s children and for the children of the world.
By encouraging kids of all ages to be active in these projects they foster learning, leadership and a heart for service. By educating our children and helping them develop good experiences in their lives, in their schools and in their homes, our world and our community will have a better future. Today’s children are the adults of tomorrow. Many children need positive influences to help them overcome adverse conditions in their lives. This is what Kiwanis Club does in many different ways.
The first local Kiwanis chapter was chartered in the 1990s and the Fuquay-Varina High School Key Club was started that year as well. This Key Club, working through their school and assisted by a sponsor continues to be one of the top Key Clubs in North Carolina. The original Fuquay-Varina Kiwanis Club disbanded. Fortunately the city of Garner’s Kiwanis accepted the challenge to sponsor our town’s Key Club as well as their own until a new Kiwanis could be started.
Becky Medlin said, “Thanks to Wake Forest Attorney Tom Demmick’s and business people in our town, who were determined to not let the Fuquay-Varina High Key Club down, a new Kiwanis Club was chartered in September, 2000.”
Our Kiwanis have been involved in several fund raisers for our town’s Key Club’s projects. Each year three Key Club Seniors, chosen by a counselor/teacher are awarded scholarships by the Kiwanis. At the beginning of the school year school supplies are provided to needy children by the Key Club. During the year these Key Club members mentor elementary school children, learning about their student and being a friend to them. At Thanksgiving the High school students, provide dinners for the families of these mentored students. At the end of the year a party is held for the kids and their parents with food and gifts. By showing these kids that they are valued and important to others, they may be inspired to accomplish more in their lives and set meaningful goals that they might not otherwise be challenged to accomplish. Through this group our teenagers and our elementary aged children have their minds, hearts, and worlds broadened. The Key Club members also volunteer for many civic events such as the recent “Teen Day,” during which teens were taught about the dangers of texting and driving.
Chief of Police, Larry Smith, also a Kiwanis member, told Becky Medlin that he couldn’t have had the event without the F-V High School Key Club’s help. Also they sponsor the Angel Tree at Christmas and wrap three presents for each child and deliver them.
Our Kiwanis Club was responsible for the “Buckle up for safety” signs, which start at the Fuquay-Varina High School. Dictionaries for all third graders have been donated by the Kiwanis Club for several years. The Key Clubs have to have an adult sponsoring agency to help carry out their projects and to give help for our community’s underprivileged kids.
The Kiwanis Club will need more active members for all of the activities planned to support the Key Club and for the new children, whose numbers are growing with our town. Please consider joining this group dedicated to “changing the world one child and one community at a time.”
If you are a big fan or parent of a Fuquay-Varina High School student, please take a few minutes to see if you or your high school student might enjoy working for or with this worthy cause. To sponsor and support our local high school Key Club members is this local group’s main goal.
If you are interested in fellowshipping with like-minded people to accomplish the Kiwanis Club Goal, you can contact: Mike Sorenson at 919-201-0871 or Becky Medlin at 919-291-1353. You can also join on line by email at membership@kiwanis.org. The meetings are at Golden Corral every first and third Monday of each month from 6 – 7 p.m. Please look at their website www.kiwanis.org for more information.
Melodie Elaine Estes
Creative Lens Art By Melodie