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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