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Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg

The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg gathered on February 26 with 30 members in attendance and no guests this week. President Myrle Perry called the meeting to order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer led by Vanhoozier.

The minutes from our February 19 meeting were approved unanimously.

While we did not have a formal program this week, the meeting was full of energy, updates, and planning as we continue to serve the children and families of Christiansburg.

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Festival Momentum Is Building

Wade shared that the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival is off to a strong start in securing sponsorships. Early responses have been encouraging, and efforts continue to expand our sponsor base. Thank you to everyone helping push this forward.

A special shout-out to A. Graham, who has been posting KWTF updates daily. Consistent likes, shares, and comments truly help amplify our reach across the community.

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Membership Roundup – April 2

Our Membership Drive will take place on April 2. We currently have 13 prospective members identified, but we need more. Each member is encouraged to bring a guest and help grow the club. A strong membership base strengthens our impact.

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Committee Updates & Announcements

• The Website Committee met following the meeting.
• President Perry led the club in singing Happy Birthday to members celebrating this month.
• A note from Bill Keenan: the Trex Portal is currently down. Please do not bring plastic recycling materials until further notice.
• Vanhoozier updated the club on Martin Chapman, who is awaiting cancer treatment and experiencing difficulty eating and weight loss. We keep Martin in our thoughts and prayers.

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Fundraising Report

Board reported on last week’s Winter Beach Party fundraiser. Total income was $449, including $87 from the tip jar (thank you, Alicia!). After expenses, the club netted $185.96. Most importantly, it was a great evening of fellowship.

Westerhaus also introduced a potential new fundraiser idea: a St. Patrick’s Dinner featuring corned beef and cabbage. The concept would require securing a suitable event location and will be further explored for possible implementation next year.

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Upcoming Speakers & Events

We have an exciting lineup ahead:

• March 12 – Dr. Eagle, Christiansburg Town Manager
• March 19 – Chief Ramsey, Christiansburg Police Department
• April 2 – Membership Roundup
• April 4 – Easter Egg Hunt

If you have ideas for guest speakers, please contact Board so arrangements can be made.

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Meeting Location Changes for 2026

Several meetings will be held at Kiwanis Park in 2026:

April 23
May 14
June 18
July 16
August 20
September 17
October 15

Canceled holiday meetings:
November 26
December 24
December 31

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A Reminder to Members

Please check your name on the weekly attendance roster and record any community service hours completed during the week. Tracking our service matters — it tells the story of our impact.

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Board Meeting Highlights

The Board met following the main meeting.

Budget Considerations

Discussion focused on donations to non-profits such as Care Portal and similar programs. The Board suggested evaluating these annually to ensure alignment with our mission and adjusting future budgets accordingly.

Student Assistance

Funding for a student’s glasses — previously discussed — was formally approved by the Board.

Funding Process Clarification

For larger, non-budgeted expenditures, the Board will first review and approve items before presenting them to the full membership for discussion and possible approval. This ensures both oversight and transparency.

The next Board meeting will be held March 26, 2026. Board meetings will continue on the fourth Thursday of each month.

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Even on weeks without a featured speaker, the work of Kiwanis moves forward — through planning, service, fundraising, and care for one another.

Service doesn’t always make headlines. Sometimes it looks like approving a pair of glasses, lining up a speaker, or brainstorming corned beef and cabbage. But that steady rhythm of action is what builds lasting community impact.

And that’s what we do best.