Come learn about Kiwanis and all it's done for the community

Mar. 25—For the past 72 years, the Waynesville Kiwanis Club has been a powerhouse in the community doing things many don't know are associated with the club.

Linda Lou Chambers, the club's membership chairman, is spearheading an open house and membership drive between 5 and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5 at the First Presbyterian Church, 305 N. Main St., Waynesville.

Following two years of remote activities during COVID-19, member numbers have dropped by half, Chambers said. The goal is to build the club back up to the 50-60 members who used to be part of the group.

"I think a lot of people see what we do, but don't know Kiwanis is doing it," Chambers said. "At the open house, we will hit 12 different programs and see if something in particular sparks interest or whether the whole feeling of things we do will make people want to be part of it."

She invited all to stop by to learn more about programs ranging from childhood education to the trademark playgrounds the club has sponsored in the community.

"We will have resource tables to showcase the many things we do," Chambers said. "Our goal is to attract more members."

Highlighted programs will include:

—Spring Fling — a family gathering at the Kiwanis playground in Waynesville where there is a free hot dog lunch, plus all sorts of fun and educational activities for children.

—Grant programs — The Waynesville Kiwanis gives our $40,000 in grants annually that are applied for by classroom teachers who need funds to help with projects they are undertaking to helping out organizations such as Clothes for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters or the Pigeon Center who are also all about helping children.

—Spelling bees — The club puts on both a fifth-grade spelling bee and an adult spelling bee, the later of which is a fundraiser for the club.

—Flag program — Club members distribute about 150 U.S. flags on patriotic holidays to business owners in town who subscribe to the service.

—Dictionary — Every third graders in both public and private schools in Haywood receives a dictionary, compliments of the Waynesville Kiwanis Club. About 650 dictionaries are distributed annually at a cost of about $2,500.

—Cabaret — The club sponsors a talent program that is a well-rounded night of music, dancing, humor and a bit of history. It is a fundraiser for the club and allowed budding (or matured) talent in the community to shine. This event is tentatively scheduled for the fall.

—Kiwanis International programming — Without an active local Kiwanis organization, the high school service program, the Key Club and the Aktion club for students with disabilities could not exist locally.

—Playgrounds — The Waynesville Kiwanis build the original part of the children's playground in in 2002, added an all abilities playground in 2018 and just recently opened a new tot lot. Plans are on deck to build an all abilities playground in the Canton recreation park.

There will be a table with scrapbooks of all the Kiwanis project through the years, so those stopping by can get not only a dose of history, but an idea of the broad range of programming offered by Kiwanis, Chambers said.

"Come check us out to learn about the projects that tug at the heart," she said. "Come join a group of like-minded people who want to make the world a better place for our youth. We've been here for years and not going and will be continuing our work in the community for years to come."