Photos submitted
Kiwanis members and volunteers serve the annual Patriots Day parade meal. Shown above are Tim Farris, AnnaMarie Rainey, Sandy Walbridge, Jillian Holwick, Corissa Bandel, and Judd Holwick.
by Bridget Weishaar
For roughly 78 years, the McLouth Kiwanis organization has been a viable part of the community.
With 15 members under the current president Susie Deeken, the club is once again gearing up to host its 33rd annual fireworks stand.
The stand will run from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 29. From June 30 through July 4, it will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on a daily basis.
There will be daily drawings good for $25 worth of fireworks. Visitors spending $100 or more per visit will be entered into a drawing for VIP tickets to the McLouth Tractor Pull held the first weekend in August.
A 10% discount is given to the men and women who serve with a valid military ID.
The first stand was held in the fire department back in 1990. The current stand is located in the parking lot of the United Methodist Church, 209 W. Agnes Street, just off K-16 Hwy.
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time.
It was founded Jan. 21, 1915, by a group of businessmen in Detriot, Mich., and was called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers, changing its name to Kiwanis one year later.
The organization was predominately men, with women invited to join in 1987. The McLouth Kiwanis is the only club in Jefferson County still active to this date.
The earlier organization ran the concession stand at the Threshing Bee and sold chicken dinners as their main money maker. The founding members would also donate money to help purchase different sports uniforms and equipment.
Back in 1980, the group purchased and remodeled a home for the town’s incoming doctor, Dr. Robert Snook.
Along with the annual fireworks stand, the group provides the annual Easter egg hunt, serves lunch at the Patriots Day Parade held each April, and holds a fundraising golf tournament each May.
They are responsible for providing fruit baskets to the elderly at Christmas time, sponsor blood drives throughout the year, donate to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and the 4th of July fireworks display hosted by the city.
The Kiwanis support the McLouth school district by providing incoming kindergarten students with their first Bulldog shirt to start the new school year. Roughly $3,500 to $5,000 in scholarships are given to graduating seniors along with donations to eighth-grade promotion, prom and after-prom activities. They also sponsor various county events, church events, and make local memorial donations.
According to Deeken membership requirements for becoming a Kiwana consist of having a mindset and attitude of helping the community. Kids 18 and older are more than welcome to become an active member in the group.
“We are always looking for younger aged members as they bring new energy and new ideas to the club,” Deeken said.
The National Honor Society members at McLouth High School play a big part in the success of the Kiwanis events. They volunteer their time scattering eggs at the egg hunt, serve food at the Patriots Day parade, and help by unloading and restocking fireworks at the annual stand.
Members and officers of the club include Deeken, president; Sandy Walbridge, vice president; Devy McHenry, treasurer; Kristie Clark, secretary; AnnaMaria Rainey, school liaison; Mike Clark, Terri Coffin, Dale Coffin, Pat Bartlett, Adam Jones, Samantha Jones, Reta Kitterman, Kerry Kramer, Sandy Kramer, Rynette Reiling, Susie Schwinn, Doug Walbridge, and Maurice Walbridge.
Kiwanis meetings are held the first Monday of every month at the McLouth Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Kiwanis can email mclouthkiwanis@gmail.com or follow the organization on their Facebook page.