For 100 years, the Reidsville Kiwanis has been making a distinction within the Rockingham County space. Chartered in December 2022, the Reidsville chapter is a part of Kiwanis Worldwide, a worldwide group of golf equipment, members and companions devoted to bettering the lives of youngsters.
“As we speak, we stand with greater than 550,000 members from Ok-Youngsters to Key Membership to Kiwanis and lots of ages in between in 80 nations and geographic areas,” stated Lyle Milligan, Reidsville Kiwanis Membership president. “Every group has totally different wants, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue methods to serve the wants of youngsters, comparable to combating starvation, bettering literacy and providing steerage.”
The Reidsville Kiwanis assist greater than 20 packages that profit kids domestically, together with Camp Carefree, Boy Scouts, Brilliant Beginnings on the YMCA, Assist Included, the Footwear for Youngsters program at Reidsville Elementary, the Terrific Youngsters program in space elementary faculties, and the Council for Bible Training.
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At 86, Bob Mullings is the oldest member of the Reidsville Kiwanis and stated he loves being concerned with a civic group that provides again and cares concerning the group.
“To see children smile once we present them with new footwear in our Footwear for Youngsters program is particular,” Mullings stated. “Some come into Shoe Present with holes of their footwear, and we assist them store as they get to select what they wish to put on.”
The membership additionally sponsors the Key Golf equipment at Reidsville and Rockingham Excessive faculties and offers scholarships for college kids, and so they supplied a horse trailer for Rolling Ridge Driving to take horses and youngsters to horse exhibits.
“Our newest challenge can be one in all our most impactful as we be part of the Rotary Membership, the Reidsville Space Basis and the Metropolis of Reidsville in constructing the brand new inclusive The Sky’s the Restrict Park in Reidsville behind Metropolis Corridor,” Milligan stated. “Kiwanis will particularly be offering the “WE-GO” Swing that can accommodate a wheelchair and the caregiver/father or mother of the particular person swinging.”
As well as, the Reidsville Kiwanis has helped assist Kiwanis Worldwide by means of financial presents over time as Kiwanis Worldwide and UNICEF joined forces to eradicate iodine deficiency the world over.
“Then, just a few years in the past we started Venture Get rid of to assist finish maternal and neonatal tetanus,” Milligan stated. “There are nonetheless components of 12 nations the place there’s threat for moms and youngsters and tetanus at childbirth.”
Through the years, Milligan stated the Reidsville Kiwanis have develop into extra inclusive, inviting ladies to hitch in 1987 when Kiwanis Worldwide develop into co-ed.
“I consider the Reidsville Kiwanis embraced the inclusion of ladies instantly,” Milligan stated.
The chapter has had a number of ladies presidents, officers and board members, and Susan Tucker can be serving a second time because the membership’s president for the 2022-2023 yr starting in October.
“We additionally encourage range and inclusion in our membership, and our membership displays that dedication,” Milligan stated. “Our present membership has of us from all walks of life, from pastors to politicians, males, ladies, many ages, and numerous backgrounds.”
Milligan stated the main target of the membership over time has transitioned from networking and enterprise discussions to extra of a concentrate on aiding kids domestically and worldwide.
A member of the Reidsville Kiwanis since 2002, Milligan, 72, joined on the invitation of a pal.
“A few of my favourite issues about being a member of the Kiwanis contains presenting scholarships at highschool assemblies, offering footwear for teenagers every Christmas in all of the native elementary faculties and ringing the bell for the Salvation Military,” he stated. “I additionally love offering cookouts for Camp Carefree and Rolling Ridge Driving.”
The Reidsville Kiwanis at present has 27 members, and although the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges, Milligan is optimistic concerning the future. The membership meets at midday each Thursday at Major Road United Methodist Church in Reidsville.
“We’ve got decreased our membership charges and have just lately added 4 new members, and we’re even seeing some former members return to serve the kids together with our Reidsville membership,” he stated.
The membership additionally added Zoom conferencing to their present conferences in order that those that could not be capable of attend in particular person are in a position to hear the membership’s audio system every week.
The Reidsville Kiwanis sponsor two main fundraisers annually, a pancake supper and golf event.
“Once more, COVID offered a problem, as our pancake supper has been held at Reidsville Excessive Faculty for many years, then they closed, and we had a drive-through solely at Major Road Methodist Church two years in the past, and this yr we have been ready so as to add in-person serving once more,” Milligan stated. “Hopefully, we are able to return to Reidsville Highschool subsequent March.”
The Reidsville Kiwanis Membership will maintain a a centesimal Anniversary celebration September 30 that can embody present and former members, a speaker that obtained one of many membership’s scholarships, the present lieutenant governor, and different leaders, adopted by the membership’s thirty fifth annual golf event on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Monroeton Golf Membership. Milligan stated they’re hoping to have no less than 100 golfers. The price to take part is $55 per particular person, which features a biscuit breakfast, lunch, snacks and prizes. There may also be a shoot out for a $100,000 gap in a single on the 18th gap.
