Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg 2023–2024 Annual Report
Celebrating 75 years of service through local impact, youth support, and volunteer leadership.
Membership
Net growth of 5 members, bringing total membership to 83 and maintaining the Club’s position as the largest in Division 16 of the Capital District.
Volunteer Service
Club members contributed 3,405 hours of volunteer service in support of local programs, schools, community events, and partner organizations.
75th Anniversary
The Club celebrated 75 years of service to the Christiansburg community while continuing longstanding youth-centered programs.
Year Highlights
- Key Club Support Continued: The Club continued its support of the Christiansburg High School Key Club.
- Perfect Attendance: 30 members achieved perfect meeting attendance.
- District Leadership: Steve Simmons served as Lieutenant Governor of Division 16; Bob Lewit served as Trustee of the Southwest Virginia Region.
- Kiwanian of the Year: Monty Thompson was selected as Kiwanian of the Year.
- Endowment Fund Created: A $33,000 member donation launched a new endowment fund for long-term sustainability.
Programs and Community Support
Most of this year’s programs are recurring and focused on supporting children in our local community. Some of the support provided this year included:
- Head Start Backpack Program: Each Thursday, members pack up to 54 backpacks for Head Start children. School meals cover weekdays, and the Backpack Program provides food for weekends. Members procure, inventory, store, and pack the food.
- School Support Gift Cards: Two Walmart gift cards totaling $550 ($500 from Kiwanis + $50 from Walmart) were provided to each of the seven Christiansburg schools to purchase needed clothing and school supplies for children in need.
- College Scholarships: Three $1,500 scholarships were awarded to Christiansburg High School students needing support for continuing education.
- Christmas Support for Children: The Club supports approximately 60 children annually with toys, clothing, and holiday assistance. Children are selected based on need by local teachers. Total cost to members and the Club exceeded $15,000.
- Youth Sports and Aquatics Participation: Kiwanis pays entry fees for children who cannot afford to participate in sports and aquatic programs.
- Kiwanis Park Support: The Club provides annual financing and volunteer assistance to Kiwanis Park, where an approximately five-acre expansion is underway.
- Additional Contributions: Christiansburg Band Boosters ($3,000), Agency on Aging ($2,000), Intellectual Disabilities Agency of NRV ($2,000), Sleep in Heavenly Peace ($1,000), CHS Cheerleaders ($2,000), MJAM ($1,000), and other smaller donations.
- Montgomery County Social Services Partnership: The Club continued its partnership to provide supplies supporting youth and elders served by the agency.
- CHS Football and Cheer Support: The Club provided football programs for CHS and financial support to the CHS cheerleading squad.
- Easter Egg Hunt: Kiwanis co-sponsored the Town of Christiansburg’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt by supplying volunteer labor and purchasing prizes.
- Community Event Volunteer Labor: Members provided labor to the Montgomery Museum’s Heritage Day event, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Town events, and others.
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: The Club donated $1,000 and budgeted an additional $4,000 for next year.
- Emergency Assistance Program Support: Members provided hundreds of volunteer hours working with the volunteer-run Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program.
- Endowment Fund Established: With a $33,000 member donation, the Club established an endowment fund to support long-term sustainability.
Wilderness Trail Festival
Kiwanis is the promoter of the Wilderness Trail Festival, which is not only the Club’s largest fundraising project but also the largest downtown event in Christiansburg. The festival drew an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 attendees. This year’s event had the largest number of vendors in history and the largest attendance of all time.
How Club Funds Are Managed
Other Club income is derived from community fundraisers, donations, and grants. All such income goes into the Service Account, and 100% is returned to the local community, with most of it supporting youth activities. All administrative costs, including meeting meals, are paid by members’ dues.
Our Mission and Local Legacy
Kiwanis is a global organization of members, clubs, and partners dedicated to changing the world—one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg has served the local community since its charter was granted in 1949.
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