The first meeting of
the Kiwanis Club of Rutherfordton was held December
4, 1924. The Rutherfordton Club was sponsored by the Forest
City Club, which was sponsored by the Shelby Club. The
Rutherfordton Club received its charter on February 9, 1925.
The first officers of the
new club were:
President - R. E. Price
Vice President - B. D.
Wilson
Secretary - B. L. Smith
Treasurer - T. F. Oates
District Trustee - J. L.
Taylor
Directors - J. A. Capps,
M. L. Edwards, O. C. Erwin, W. R. Hill, K. S. Tanner, M.
L. Justice, and G. W. Edwards
Since its founding, the
Rutherfordton Club has been active in the community
and has supported many worthwhile projects. It has
been represented at Kiwanis International and District conventions,
and members of the club have served as district officers.
In the early days, the
club sponsored an annual farmers night in the spring
when prizes were awarded for the highest per acre production.
For a number of years the club sent a boy to Boy's State and
assisted a number of needy children going to college.
It supported development of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, the erection
of a new post office in Rutherfordton, and Rutherford Hospital's
building program. It gave Christmas parties for the children
at Alexander Home in Union Mills. News of the club's activities
and weekly programs has appeared on the front page of the local
paper throughout its history.
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More
recently the club has provided support of community events and
services including the annual Christmas Parade and Easter Egg Hunt,
Yokefellow, Christmas Cheer Center and Salvation Army bell
ringing.
The club advances spiritual
aims with an annual prayer breakfast and participation
at the Logan Preaching Mission. Work teams have helped
with youth ball fields, Kiwanis Park, Festivals and the Rails
to Trails project. The proceeds from the Club's annual
auction in May and former golf tournament in April have generously
supported numerous agencies and activities serving youth in
our community.
The Rutherfordton Club
sponsors Terrific Kids at area elementary schools and
sponsors the Key Club at R-S Central High School and the Builders
Club at R-S Middle School. In collaboration with the Town
of Rutherfordton and two private property owners, the Kiwanis
Club spearheaded the development of Kiwanis Park at North Main
and Green Streets.
Because of its wide scope
of service activities, the Kiwanis Club of Rutherfordton
has been recognized as a Distinguished Club by Kiwanis
International. At the district level the club won the
Ruby Division Award for multiple service and the Lombardy Award
for membership growth.
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