Life’s Flavors ~ Kiwanis Celebrates 75 Years of Service By Oaks Bed and Breakfast

Have you seen the flags placed at businesses around town on most major federal holidays? Those flags are placed by the dedicated volunteers of the local Kiwanis club. The Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club recently held a celebration for its 75th year. Founded in 1915 Kiwanis International has grown from a fraternal organization, to an organization around the world that welcomes men and women and has grown to over 7,000 clubs world wide. The Club in Sulphur Springs, is just a small part of a larger group doing good in the community. 

For seventy-five years, Kiwanis has had a presence of doing good in the community of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Over the course of those years, the Club has raised funds to help children and people in the community through volunteer hours and funds raised. Kiwanis is more than just a way to connect with other local business people. The Club is also a way to give back to those in need, especially the children of Hopkins County. 

The mission is simple, “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.” The Sulphur Springs chapter has had a small impact on the world through community over the years. The first donation the Club made was for a machine to help local babies just after birth, called an “Oxygen Air Pressure Lock” donated to our local hospital system. The machine helped those infants who had respiratory issues thrive after birth.

Over the years the Club has also given back to the parks and recreation department in the form of Scoreboard signs, Kiwani Falls at Imagination Mountain and sponsoring the building of a bridge by the Civic Center. All of which has an impact on the community and the lives of those who use the area. Today the Club also sponsors a food drive at Christmas, through the help of local schools and Community Chest who is the recipient of the donated food items.

The work that Kiwanis does extends to the school district as well. Each year the school district hosts a Special Games day for the students involved in the Special Education programs throughout the county. Kiwanis has teamed up with the local Key Club to provide a meal for the volunteers and students on the day of the event. Watching the students interact with each other helps to bridge the divide between worlds and allows Kiwanis the chance to serve the children in the wider county area.

The Club also helps with the Larry Buster Fishing Day at Pevin Pinion Pond held in the Spring. The Club provides food and prizes for all the children who attend the event and it is great for the whole family. Each year Kiwanis opens up a scholarship application to students graduating High School from the local city public school and the county schools. That way today’s youth can further their education or ready themselves for the work force.

Currently the signature project for the Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club is a project in conjunction with the Texas Ramp Project. Those individuals located in Hopkins County who are in need of a wheelchair ramp reach out to the The Texas Ramp Project and then Kiwanis with the help of LionsClub, the help of Lions Club, and League Street Church of Christ, build a ramp. Since starting with the Texas Ramp Project Kiwanis has built over 60 ramps in the last two years for Hopkins County residents. Many residents have not left their homes for multiple years, until they had the ramp to help them do so. It is a blessing to see these individuals be able to leave their homes for doctors appointments, visit family, or just to go to the store. Imagine what your daily life would look like if you were homebound and unable to leave. These ramps help people, giving them back a part of their life.

Kiwanis is always looking to add new members to their Club and hope that you would take the time to join them for lunch. They meet every Wednesday, at the Corner Grub Hub Catering room at 209 Main Street at Noon. Step in the doors and discover how you too can give back to the community as a volunteer at Kiwanis.

By Allison Libby-Thesing