Our Kiwanis club in Hibbing began 90 years ago on June 23, 1920. That's 90 years of Hibbing Kiwanis volunteers making a difference in the lives of their friends and neighbors and especially the youth of our community. Today our 30 Hibbing Kiwanis members work on fun annual projects like our pancake feed, our fishing tournament on Lake Vermillion and county fair parking(with the Chisholm club). We raise around $20-25 thousand each year that is given back to our community, especially towards our local youth and to the sponsorship of our wonderful high school Key Club. This is something that is so easy to take for granted for as most of us know, many volunteer groups are struggling today. So what is Kiwanis about? Since I am Lt-Governor this year, let me briefly tell you my story.
Why am I in Kiwanis? No one asked me to join. No one. But when you are new in town, trying to meet people and promoting your practice, that’s what you did 33 years ago. You joined a service club. But there comes a time, please don’t misunderstand, that you are not new in town, that you know plenty of people and the practice is doing just fine, thank you! So why do I stay in Kiwanis?
Many years ago I learned something from one special Kiwanian Pops Lukens, a famous Hibbing high school swimming coach, who started our annual pancake feed. One! In fact, our top secret pancake recipe was created by his wonderful wife, Ruth. Pops knew this event was not about making and serving pancakes. Pops was old enough at that time and honest enough to tell me that our annual pancake feed was about love and friendship. Love and friendship! And I never forgot that.
Years later our club like many, went a little into the doldrums. Same old, same old and I thought about moving on. But then one of our members, Stan Peuha became president. Stan was one member who always felt we could find the money needed for worthy donations, and he always made meetings fun. And he was a special guy who brought a definite spark to our club. One. I’ll never forget Stan. When he died unexpectedly, I suddenly realized that if that spark was going to continue, we would all have to do our part! One could make a difference! I am pleased to report that there’s plenty of loving concern and friendship in our Hibbing club now. Terrific members like Jack do the soup kitchen, Jon marshals the winter and summer parades, Red and Jamie organize the fishing tournament, Jerry chairs the pancake feed, and so many others—friends all. And friends keep me in Kiwanis! And the knowledge and feelings that come from knowing that each of us in Kiwanis, one at a time is making that difference which makes our Hibbing community a better place for our young people.
That's the one thing. One, that Kiwanis is about. If you see a friendly Kiwanian volunteering this year, thank them and say Happy 90th! And consider joining us. We are having a lot of fun, and new friends and fond memories are the free benefits of making a difference, one at a time helping the youth in our community.
Thank you all in Hibbing for your support for 90 years. It makes a difference to all of us in Kiwanis!
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