Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg 2021–2022 Annual Report

Programs and Community Support

Most of this year’s programs were recurring and focused on supporting children in the local community. Some of the support provided this year included:

1. Head Start Backpack Program: Each Thursday, just prior to the Club’s weekly meeting, Kiwanis members met at the Head Start building and packed 54 backpacks for Head Start children. The school meals program provided food during the week, and the Kiwanis Backpack Program helped provide food for the weekend. Members procured, inventoried, stored, and packed the food used in this effort.
2. School Clothing and Supplies Support: Two Walmart gift cards totaling $550 ($500 from the Kiwanis Club and $50 from Walmart) were provided to each of the seven schools in Christiansburg. These cards were used to buy needed clothing and school supplies for children who could not afford them.
3. Scholarships: Three $1,000 college scholarships were awarded to Christiansburg High School students who needed support for their continuing education.
4. Christmas Support for Children: A Christmas program supported approximately 60 children. Because of ongoing pandemic impacts in 2021, gifts were distributed through pickup at the Christiansburg Recreation Center rather than at a party. Teachers from Christiansburg schools identified children based on need. Club members purchased clothing for individual children, and the Club funded toys. The total cost to members and the Club exceeded $11,000.
5. Youth Recreation Support: Kiwanis paid entry fees for children who could not afford to participate in sports at the Christiansburg Recreation Center and the Aquatic Center.
6. Kiwanis Park: The Club continued annual support in the form of financing and volunteer assistance for Kiwanis Park, where an approximately five-acre expansion was under way.
7. Community Contributions: Additional cash contributions were made to Agency on Aging ($2,000), Intellectual Disabilities Agency of NRV ($2,000), Sleep in Heavenly Peace ($1,000), Montgomery County Department of Social Services ($614), CHS Cheerleaders ($1,500), and several others.
8. Partnership with Montgomery County Social Services: As part of the Club’s outreach program, a partnership was maintained with Montgomery County Social Services to provide needed supplies supporting the youth and elders served by the agency.
9. CHS Support: The Club provided football programs for Christiansburg High School and financial support to the CHS cheerleading squad.
10. Easter Egg Hunt: Kiwanis co-sponsored the Town of Christiansburg’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt by supplying labor and purchasing prizes.
11. Additional Volunteer Service: Members also provided labor for the Montgomery Museum’s Heritage Day event, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and other community efforts.