Below is the full text of our club history document, followed by an update about a major community tradition we help lead today.

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The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg was organized and chartered at a meeting held at Goodwin’s Tavern on May 31, 1949, under the guidance of the Kiwanis Club of Blacksburg and the Lieutenant Governor of the 3rd Division of the Capital District, Kiwanis International. Twenty-six charter members were present, and they elected Albert R. Jones to serve as the club’s first President. With an annual budget of $600.00, the club agreed that the best way to serve the community was to provide meaningful support for the young people of Christiansburg. Members believed that the future of any community depends on its youth, and they committed themselves to providing leadership that would benefit young people while strengthening the community as a whole.

From 1949 to 1952, the newly formed club supported local children in many ways. This included sponsoring a Boy Scout Troop, Red Cross swimming and lifeguard classes, supporting the School Safety Patrol, and sponsoring high school students to attend Girls and Boys State each summer. In addition, the club provided milk, clothing, and medical assistance for children in need, and provided Christmas food baskets for families experiencing hardship. The club also donated equipment and supplies to the local Rescue and Life Saving Squad; provided assistance and support to the Christiansburg Chamber of Commerce; assisted in the formation of the Ground Observation Corps (Civil Air Patrol); promoted Liberty Bond sales; and held several Agricultural Appreciation Nights at club meetings where local farmers were honored.

Sandlot Sports

The year 1953 marked the beginning of a new era for Christiansburg and a renewed Kiwanis commitment to serving young people in the town. That year, the club founded the Kiwanis Sandlot Sports Program, consisting of football, basketball, and baseball. Every young person in the community had an opportunity to participate. The club purchased uniforms, provided coaches, referees, and umpires, and supervised program activities. A member of the Kiwanis Club served as director of the Sandlot programs.

Football and baseball were played at the old Christiansburg High School field, and basketball was played in the high school gym. In the first year, there were four teams in each league and more than 150 children participated. Alongside the Sandlot Program, the club continued providing financial support for children in need, sponsoring Boy Scouts, and engaging in other civic efforts. Funds were raised through various club activities, supported by the generous people of Christiansburg.

Kiwanis Park

Between 1954 and 1963, the Kiwanis Club continued to focus on an expanding youth sports program. As the program grew, it became necessary to find land and build new fields. The club continued using the high school fields and gym facilities in cooperation with school officials. A solution emerged in 1962 when Mr. W. Ward Teel offered a long-term lease on property with the stipulation that the land always be used for children’s programs. The property is located behind the old Sealtest plant (now Southern States), and Kiwanis Park was established. J.E. (Buddy) Earp served as club President and worked to secure the land. Grading was completed and a baseball field was created at the park. The first baseball game was played there in 1964.

Kiwanis and high school officials developed an agreement allowing boys’ physical education classes to work on the field during the day in exchange for the school’s use of the field for baseball practice and home games at Kiwanis Park. Today, Kiwanis Park includes two lighted baseball-softball fields, a storage building for equipment, restrooms at both fields, a lighted picnic shelter, and a playground. In 1999, shortly before his death, Mr. Teel deeded the property to the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg. In honor of this act of generosity, the club renamed the fields at the park the W. Ward Teel fields.

Underprivileged Children’s Christmas Party

In 1954, the Kiwanis Club initiated a Christmas party for underprivileged children that continues today. Since its inception, this project has provided an enjoyable Christmas for more than 1,600 local children and remains an eagerly anticipated tradition for both club members and the children. In December 2004, the club held its 50th consecutive party. In recent years, the club has purchased an average of $6,000.00 in toys and gifts, and members have contributed close to the same amount out of pocket for items of clothing needed by the children. We work closely with primary, elementary, and middle school staff to ensure that the children with the greatest needs—and their younger siblings—are invited.

Key Club at Christiansburg High School

On February 25, 1960, the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg sponsored and chartered a Key Club at Christiansburg High School. Twenty-eight students became charter members. Since its formation, many Key Club members have gone on to establish themselves in the fields of medicine, commerce, industry, law, and finance. Over the years, many former Key Club members have also become outstanding members of Kiwanis.

Kiwanis and the Creation of the Christiansburg Recreation Department

In 1971, a group from the Kiwanis Club led by then-president Lance Muir appeared before Christiansburg Town Council to encourage the establishment of a town recreation department. As the town’s population grew, Kiwanis was increasingly strained to continue scheduling and supervising youth sports activities. Those discussions—and the meetings that followed—led to the creation of the Christiansburg Recreation Department, with a full-time director paid by the town. Today, the department is led by Director of Parks and Recreation Art Price, a Christiansburg native and former Christiansburg High School Key Club member.

As the department director and staff took over operations for the Sandlot programs and developed new opportunities, the Kiwanis Club continued providing financial support and helping maintain Kiwanis Park. The Recreation Department maintains the fields, which many consider among the best in the New River Valley. The park is in constant use by children and adults and hosts many Dixie Youth League baseball and softball tournaments. In 2004, the Kiwanis Club donated more than $25,000.00 for improvements at the park. The Recreation Department reports that thousands of residents use and visit the park each year.

Fundraising Activities and Donations

The Kiwanis Club has funded its projects and expanded youth programs through many fundraising activities over the years. One of the most successful efforts for several years was the Kiwanis Follies—an evening of entertainment and local talent held annually at the high school. For the past 40 years, the club has sold Christmas trees. Over time, the club has also sponsored carnivals, chili and pancake suppers, casino nights, golf tournaments, car washes, and sold advertisements for the Christiansburg High School football program, along with many other projects.

Over the years, the club has donated funds to help build the CHS Athletic Complex, provide lights at the CHS baseball field, contribute $10,000.00 toward equipping the Christiansburg Recreation Center, support children’s camps benefiting underprivileged children, assist local organizations that serve youth, and support the local police, fire, and rescue departments.

Festival Update: In 2009, Kiwanis became the managing organization for the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival, held in downtown Christiansburg on the third Saturday in September each year. All festival proceeds directly support the youth of Christiansburg. To learn more, visit our festival page.

During our long and distinguished history, the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg has raised and donated back to the community more than $425,000.00. This figure does not include the thousands of volunteer hours contributed by members to community projects, churches, professional and service organizations, and the general betterment of Christiansburg. Community service hours reported monthly by our members consistently exceed 100. This includes time devoted to the town as well as many hours given away from family commitments. Our members work tirelessly to raise funds for our projects, serve the community, and provide leadership for the youth of Christiansburg.

Christiansburg Community Service

As noted above, our members give back to the community through time and effort. Club members are involved in many local agencies and churches. At the time this history was written, our club had members serving on the following: Christiansburg Town Council (4), Christiansburg Planning Commission (3), Industrial Development Authority (1), Recreation Commission (2), Chamber of Commerce (6), and Humane Society (1). Members also coach youth sports teams, serve as Scout leaders, work at a church-sponsored soup kitchen, donate blood to the Red Cross, serve on local hospital boards, teach Sunday School, and serve on committees within their congregations—while still finding time to attend weekly meetings and raise their families.

Members’ Contributions to Club Goals

It would be impossible to name every Kiwanis member who has contributed to our success over the years. Each member gives their best, often sacrificing time with family to help with club projects. Still, it would be remiss not to mention a few past and present members who played an important role in establishing and sustaining the rich heritage of the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg. Members such as Nat Shifflette (deceased), whom many consider the founding force of our club; C.R. (Tad) Workman, Buddy Earp, and Omar Ross, who contributed significantly to the success of the Sandlot program and the formation of the Recreation Department; and O.D. Walker (deceased), who worked tirelessly selling tickets to club fundraisers in the early years.

Kiwanis Legion of Honor inductees Truman Daniel, Richard Ballengee, and Tom Johnson each contributed more than 35 years of service. Ernie Wade, Mike Barber, John Bartlett, Skip Fenton, and Dubby Charlton each provided more than 25 years of service. These members offered leadership, knowledge, and hard work that helped the club thrive. Dan Canada, George Kuhn, Bill Chafin, Steve Simmons, Dennis Hunter, and Don Ashworth chaired major projects and invested countless hours to make them successful. Phil Graybeal and Woody Nester capably handled the club’s finances for many years.

Strength of the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg

While a few individuals are mentioned above, the strength of our club comes from every member who proudly wears the Kiwanis pin. At the time this history was written, the club included 50 active and senior members, and at any given time, each is ready and willing to take on a project and see it through. Our members are dedicated to the success of the club and to making Christiansburg a better place to live.

Success of the Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg

Our club has remained successful not only because of dedicated members, but also because of the tremendous support and encouragement we receive from the Christiansburg Town Council, the Christiansburg Recreation Department, and the citizens of Christiansburg. We pledge to continue meeting our goals by working hard, serving well, and strengthening our community for the generations to come.

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