Forest City Kiwanis Club

Serving the Children of Our Community

 

Forest City Kiwanis Club Awards

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

A "Citizen of the Year" recognition program began in 1935, and has been continued to this date.  A large Loving Cup was purchased and the names of the recipients’ were engraved upon it.  The recipient is allowed to keep the Cup for twelve months, at which time it is returned, for presentation to the next "Citizen of the Year."  The cup was donated by Blaine Logan in memory of his wife, Frances.

Membership in Kiwanis is not required in order to be eligible for the award.  In fact, in recent years the vast majority of the recipients have not been Kiwanians.  In 1960, Virginia Biggerstaff Rucker became the first woman to receive the award.

The recognition is for service during the previous twelve months.  The recipient must have contributed significantly to the growth and improvement of the community by giving of himself in community, civic, and church services.

Selection of the "Citizen of the Year" is made by a committee appointed by the Club President.  Committee members become the only persons that may not be considered for the honor.  Members of the Club and citizens of the community are encouraged to submit nominations.  After selection, the name of the recipient is kept secret until the award date, usually in February of each year.  The Citizen Cup is presented at this time.  All former recipients are invited to the award ceremony, and are properly recognized.

CITIZEN CUP RECIPIENTS

1935 – Dr. R.L. Reinhart*

1960 – Virginia B. Rucker

1985 – Wanda Paul*

1936 – C.C. Erwin*

1961 – Dr. Trevor Williams

1986 – James Gardner

1937 – Clarence Griffin*

1962 – O.J. Mooneyham*

1987 – Rev. Phil Dunford

1938 – Dr. R.L. Reinhart*

1963 – Rev. Charles Kirkpatrick

1988 – Ruth Jobe

1939 – Charles Z. Flack, Sr.*

1964 – Grover Bradley

1989 – Frances Logan*

1940 – Rev. O.G. Jones*

1965 – G.T. "Bud" Becknell*

1990 – Mary Hart Roberts*

1941 – T. Max Watson*

1966 – Grover Bradley

1991 – Sara & Grayson Johnston*

1942 – John W. Dalton*

1967 – Stover Dunagan, Jr.*

1992 – Joanne Eaker

1943 – T.T. Long*

1968 – Allen Jobe

1993 – Wilbur J. Burgin

1944 – J. Worth Morgan*

1969 – Forrest Hunt*

1994 – Dee Dee Griffith

1945 – E.L. Walker*

1970 – Stover Dunagan, Jr.*

1995 – Janice Paris

1946 – Morgan Cooper*

1971 – Sam Thomas*

1996 – James O. Womack*

1947 – Wade B. Matheny*

1972 – James F. Marchman, Jr.*

1997 – Alva Marchman*

1948 – D.C. Cole*

1973 – Max Padgett

1998 – Vernon Tarlton*

1949 – E.F. Jobe*

1974 – Charles E. Freeman

1999 – Bob Blanton

1950 – James M. Sherer*

1975 – Marian Michalove

2000 – Dan King

1951 – F.I. Barber, Sr.*

1976 – Darrell Herndon

2001 – Dr. Bobby England

1952 – Rev. J.W. Fowler, Jr.*

1977 – Norris Ruppe*

2002 – Anita Wilke

1953 – Robert B. Neal*

1978 – Dr. Charles L. Griffith

2003 –  Doug Pearson

1954 – Lee Moss Reinhart*

1979 – Allen Jobe

2004 – Chris Burley

1955 – Thomas A. Roberts*

1980 – James F. Marchman, Jr.*

2005 - Maria Hunnicutt

1956 – O.W. Morris*

1981 – Robert A. Jones*

2006 - Keven McCammon

1957 – Wade B. Matheny*

1982 – Judy Toney

 

1958 – Robert Blanton*

1983 – Ginny Dunford

 

1959 – J. Toliver Davis

1984 – William A. DeBrule

 

    * - Deceased

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Because of the amazing contributions to our community by students in Rutherford County, Kiwanis member Dr. Vernon Hoyle developed the idea of a "Young Citizen of the Year Award" in 2004.  Candidates for this award are between the ages of 17 and 30.  All nominees should be active members of the community, including civic groups, church groups, and volunteer service; exhibit characteristics of citizenship, including contribution of ideas, leadership, and genuine concern for the well being of Rutherford County.  This award is presented at a ceremony during a Kiwanis meeting prior to the end of the school year and reflects accomplishments in the prior year (i.e., 2006 YCOY was presented in June 2007).  The award winner is presented with a plaque and a monetary gift.

Photo of 2006 winner Kristen Hamrick with English teacher Jennifer Allen.

2004 - Jordan Davis 2006 - Kristen Hamrick (East High School)
2005 - Alyssa Dotson (Chase High School) 2007 -

 

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

Kiwanians are expected to attend each weekly meeting. Realizing that this may not be possible always – provisions were made to "make up" a missed meeting and maintain a perfect attendance record. These "make ups" may be accomplished in the following ways: (1) a member may attend the regular meeting of another Kiwanis Club, (2) the member may attend the Club’s Board of Directors monthly meeting, or (3) the member may take part in a special approved project, such as working at the Pancake Sale, Spaghetti Dinner, etc.

Kiwanians are expected to attend a minimum of 50% of weekly meetings.  Today we are hesitant to expel a member for non-attendance.  It wasn’t always that way – in 1924, on the first Official Monthly Report of the Forest City Kiwanis Club, a grocer by the name of J.B. Meares was "deleted" for the reason of non-attendance.  The Club had only been formed for six weeks!

The following Kiwanians were recognized for Perfect Attendance at the 2007 Christmas Dinner:

Blaine Logan 42 years Maria Hunnicutt 4 years
Allen Jobe 37 years Jim Bishop 4 years
Pruett Walden 34 years John Walker 3 years
Gil Mays 31 years Tom Walker 3 years
Ray Green 30 years Charlie Vess 3 years
Wilbur Burgin 28 years John Carroll 2 years
Andy Blanton 27 years Gale Roller 2 years
Mike Saunders 11 years Dick Luckenbach 2 years

Jim Womack (*)

 9 years Gene Stark 1 year
Vernon Hoyle 8 years Bruno Hoffman (*) 1 year
Chris Burley 8 years    

(*) Deceased

KIWANIAN OF THE YEAR

In 1984, President Wilbur Burgin began the tradition of selecting a "Kiwanian of the Year" from our club. The requirements for this honor are similar to those of "Citizen of the Year" – with emphasis being placed on the recipient’s contributions to the local Kiwanis Club.

1984 – Kip Goosens

1992 – N/A

2000 – 

1985 – Ray Green

1993 – Kip Goosens

2001 – Erwin Fox

1986 – James Carpenter

1994 – Jack Paul

2002 – Chris Burley

1987 – Don Heath

1995 – Doug Pearson

2003 – Maria S. Hunnicutt

1988 – N/A

1996 – Gil Mays

2004 – Pruett Walden

1989 – Pruett Walden

1997 – Kip Goosens

2005 - Dick Luckenbach

1990 – Kip Goosens

1998 – Wayne Goode

2006 - Cherie Toney
1991 – Wilbur Burgin

1999 – Pruett Walden

2007 - Erwin Fox

 

THE JACK PAUL INTERCLUB AWARD

In late 2001, our club suffered a great loss in the death of member, Jack Paul.  He served as Club President in 1977 and had 27 years of Perfect Attendance.  Even in poor health, Jack always embodied the true Kiwanis spirit - "Somebody has to do it!".  

Jack was dedicated to attending Kiwanis Interclubs.  An Interclub is where four or more members of one club visit another Kiwanis Club meeting.  The Interclub visits give our club members a chance to see how other clubs operate and share good ideas about successful projects and fundraisers.  More importantly, for the four members who attend, it allows the opportunity to fellowship together during the trip to the location and back -- this is where the most fun is truly experienced and the fondest memories are made.  

And Jack enjoyed this fellowship... so he attended every interclub when he was able, but he preferred not to drive.  However, he always ALWAYS insisted that the driver take $2.00 for gas money once the trip was over.  After his passing, the club developed an award in Jack Paul's memory - it is a plaque with a $2 bill and the inscription that reads "The Jack Paul Interclub Award; 'Because Somebody Has To Do It!"  It is awarded to the member of the club who attends the most interclubs during the administrative year (October to the following September).  The past recipients of this award have been:

2001-2002:  Blaine Logan, Jr.

2004-2005:  John Walker

2002-2003:  Kay Conner

2006-2007:  Gale Roller
2003-2004:  Wilbur Burgin 2007-2008:  Gale Roller