Since the charter year in 1924, the Forest City Kiwanis Club has served the community, with a special emphasis on youth.  The club has approximately 50 members who raise an average of $18,000 per year and perform an average of 200 volunteer hours per month.  Following is an overview of several of our club projects.

Community Service

Young Children: Priority One – projects focused on children from prenatal development to age five:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – in 2001-2003, the Kiwanis Clubs of North and South Carolina joined to collect $250,000 to build the “Kiwanis Family Care Center” at the Ruth and Billy Graham NICU Center (Memorial Mission- St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, NC).  This project was near to the hearts of Forest City Kiwanians, as one of our own, Dr. Chris Burley, and his family received care at the NICU when his daughter was born prematurely in 2000.

• Car Seat Checks – Kiwanis has partnered with Rutherford County SafeKids Coalition to conduct community child car seat checks to ensure correct installation and inform parents and caregivers about current recall information. 

   Dr. Chris Burley, Hazel Appling, Erwin Fox, Trooper Chip McIntosh, Wilma Robertson             Ernie" testing out a car seat

Youth Services – projects to benefit children over age five.  

• Bicycle Helmets– partnership with SafeKids allowed the Forest City Kiwanis Club to purchase a bicycle helmet for every third grade student in Rutherford County.  As the project began in the spring of 2003, Kiwanis contributed of over $2,700 to buy 864 helmets that were fitted to each student.  In total, since that time, 5724 helmets have been purchased and distributed to third graders.  Each year, the Kiwanis contribution has grown every year and 2009 promises to be the best yet.

• Terrific Kids – our club provides the supplies to recognize elementary school students who demonstrate excellence in character and behavior in seven of the elementary schools in Rutherford County.

The Terrific Kids program was started in 1985, originated by Mr. Smith of Black Mountain. Captain Burgin as Lt. Governor at the time, and he encouraged its adoption by the fifteen clubs in Division 2. The Carolinas District and Kiwanis International later accepted the program. It is undoubtedly one of the best projects provided by Kiwanis – as evidenced by the positive feedback of parents, teachers, principals, and the children who have been awarded the distinction of being a "Terrific Kid."  The student is given a certificate (suitable for framing), a bumper sticker (MY KID IS A TERRIFIC KID), a Terrific Kid pencil, and a coupon for a free hamburger at McDonalds.

• Little League Recognition Picnic – our club conducts a celebration picnic each summer to recognize the three Kiwanis sponsored Forest City Little League teams, coaches, and parents.  We present each player with a trophy and applause. 

          2003 Forest City Little League Pitching Machine Team                               2003 Forest City Little League T Ball Team

Charlie Vess, Ray Green & Blaine Logan          Trophies for Players & Coaches              Jim Bishop, Allen Jobe & Pruett Walden

• Victory Junction Gang Camp – this camp was established for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.  Its goal is to create camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, empowering, physically safe and medically sound.  The camp is founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son, Adam.  The location in Randleman, NC opened in the summer of 2004.  The Carolina’s District of Kiwanis collected over $250,000 in 2004 for a Kiwanis cabin that houses ten campers and ten counselors each of eight summer sessions.  

Sponsored Youth

• Key Club (East Rutherford High School) – Key Club is the oldest and largest service program for high school students.  As a part of continuing and growing the Kiwanis Family, the Forest City Kiwanis Club sponsors the East Rutherford High School Key Club. Dr. Vernon Hoyle is the Kiwanis advisor to the club.  

• Key Club (Chase High School) - Students from Chase joined together in the spring of 2007 to rebuild their Key Club and reestablish their charter.  The Forest City Kiwanis Club sponsors this club and Mrs. Carroll is the advisor to the club.

• Builders Club (Chase Middle School) – Another part of the Kiwanis Family is Builders Club.  Builders Club is the largest service organization for middle school students (ages 12 to 14), with more than 40,000 members worldwide.  The Forest City Kiwanis Club sponsors the Builders Club at Chase Middle School.  Kiwanian Wilbur Burgin is our club advisor to the students.

Other

• Upper Room Publication – The club provides and distributes the “Upper Room” publication to Rutherford Hospital and local nursing homes.

• Citizen of the Year – Our club presents the “Citizen of the Year” award on an annual basis to recognize an individual in the community who shows dedication towards serving others.  The past recipient for the year 2006-2007 was Keven McCammon.

• Young Citizen of the Year – A new award was developed in 2004 by Dr. Vernon Hoyle similar to "Citizen of the Year" but only for persons ages 17 to 30.  The award is designed to recognize a young person that exemplifies good character, integrity, and shows concern for others by being an active member of the community.  For the 2006 award, we had three outstanding high school students nominated and the recipient was Ms. Kristen Hamrick from East High School.

Financial Contributions

Funds raised by our club have been given annually to the following local organizations: