Kiwanis Club of Vinton County May Meeting

The Kiwanis Club of Vinton County met May 5 at the McArthur Firefighter's Hall, and worked through an agenda filled with upcoming community events and fundraising ideas. The club will host a cornhole tournament at the VFW on May 9, in conjunction with the Wild Turkey Festival. Proceeds from the event will benefit future community and youth projects. The cost to enter the tournament is $25 per team, with the winning team earning a complete cornhole set. The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. The event will be held in the VFW shelter house if rain occurs the afternoon of the tournament.

Plans for the Halloween Haunted Hills event, being co-hosted by the Kiwanis Club, VCHS Athletic Boosters, and the Fair Board were also discussed during the meeting. The event will continue to take shape over the course of the next several months. Proceeds from the event will be split evenly between the three civic groups, and benefit the youth of Vinton County through programs and services provided by each group.

A Kiwanis Kidsfest is also being organized for August, just prior to the beginning of the school year. Free activities and school supplies are planned aspects of the first annual community youth event. Club President, Bobby Dodrill introduced the idea of a unique fundraiser activity to be hosted by the club at Splashdown Country Waterpark in Wellston. The facility is offering a fundraiser day for area civic groups, where fifteen percent of the day's gate is donated to the sponsoring club. The only requirement for a civic organization to sponsor a special day at the local waterpark is promotion of the event. Club members are assisting with possible vans or buses to create easy transportation to and from the event for Vinton County children. A discount couple available during the month of June will allow visitors to the waterpark to enjoy both the water area and miniature golf for less than $15 each. The club also made plans to raise funds to host a scholarship to a graduating senior for the 2010 school year. The purchase of a pull behind trailer for use in parades was approved during the meeting, at a cost of $100.

Board of Directors member, Jane Nickels and Club Treasurer, Patti Smith are organizing a reception during the May 19 meeting to recognize the first anniversary of the organization in Vinton County. A multitude of community projects and youth initiatives have been successfully completed during the first year of the Kiwanis Club of Vinton County. Funds have been donated to multiple school and youth organization to sponsor positive activities and programs for area children. Many hours have also been donated at community events which promote Vinton County youth. Potential new members will also be welcomed during the anniversary reception.