Tuesday served as a time of reflection for the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club.
Members convened inside First Christian Church of Elizabethton for their regularly scheduled meeting, which falls on the week of their 89th birthday, which is a special honor for the group according to President David LeVeau.
The president thanked the community for their assistance in projects that take place throughout the year and for the members’ steady dedication to the group. Kiwanis Club serves the community by providing different activities and projects for the youth of Carter County and Elizabethton.
To go along with serving children, Vickie Clark with the local UT-Extension provided a special presentation to members Tuesday in regards to child development and the importance of having a child grow up in a nurturing environment to help promote the development of their brain from adolescent age and beyond.
Following Clark’s presentation, LeVeau presented Clark with a check for $290 to help benefit the 4-H UT Congress.
Kiwanians also took time out to honor William Fryar for his service to the Club. LeVeau and President-elect Tyler Fleming presented Fryar with a special Legion of Honor plaque to commemorate his 45 years of service to the organization.
“Bill has been a long-term member with the Kiwanis Club,” President LeVeau said. “He was in Jacksonville, Florida, as the president of their club I believe. He’s our current secretary and he does a tremendous job. He keeps us on track, dots the i’s and cross the t’s for us. He’s been a great contributor to the Club and the community.”
As the months go on, the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club is working on preparing their annual special needs picnic scheduled for May.
“We have our special needs picnic coming up,” LeVeau said. “We distribute flags along the store sides and on the road during special holidays of the year. All the proceeds go to our special needs picnic fundraiser. All the kids from the community, Carter County and Elizabethton school systems can join us for a picnic by the park near the jailhouse. We’re able to have a couple hours of fun, food and gifts we’re able to present.”
The Kiwanis Club is encouraging businesses that haven’t participated yet to take part, if possible, and thanked the current businesses that assist with the endeavor.
“We’re trying to grow clients if possible to let them have a patriotic message near their business,” LeVeau said. “The Kiwanis Club members volunteer their time to distribute the flags personally, typically from 7 a.m. to until we can. The first year for a flag is $40 and it’s only $25 after that for each year after. The $40 helps buy the flag. We usually put the flags up around seven to 10 times during the year.”
Interested businesses looking to contribute for the event can contact LeVeau via email at dleveau@secfed.com or contact Danny Smith with physical therapy services in the community.
For more information on the organization, be sure to visit the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club Facebook page online.