Palmer Kiwanis Club’s 75th Anniversary
Contributed by Eva Cohnen-Brown and Jonathan Rockey
The Palmer Kiwanis Club has recently celebrated an amazing 75 years of serving the Mat-Su Valley. August 1949 was the inaugural date for this club, which at that time was mostly composed of UAF Experiment Farm and Cooperative Extension faculty members. It is still comprised of many in the agricultural community, as well as those in small businesses, artists and retirees.
A letter of congratulations was received from the Kiwanis International President, Katrina Baranko. The letter states: “Big or small, your service projects do make a difference. They are a bright light that can lead to happier kids.” This segues perfectly with the Kiwanis motto: “Serving the Children of the World.”
Over the years Kiwanis has served the community, especially children, in many ways. Palmer Kiwanis was among the first sponsors of the Palmer Little League Team, and still sponsors a team today. The club gives leadership and music scholarships to outstanding students of Valley high schools and middle schools. Palmer Kiwanis Club has also sponsored local Key Clubs in high schools, K-Kids in elementary schools, and supported FFA, Salvation Army, Family Promise, The Children’s Place, Kid’s Kupboard, food banks, United Way, MyHouse, 4H and the livestock auction at the Alaska State Fair.
The club raises funds to support these projects, and their biggest fundraisers in recent years have been the Palmer Kiwanis Golf Tournament and Moose Poop Palooza. This was the 29th year for the golf tournament, and the 16th for Moose Poop Palooza. The latter involves a drop of numbered (and shellacked) moose nuggets, with the grand prize going to the person whose nugget number drops closest to the center of the target. The Palmer Fire Department has graciously volunteered their services over the years, dropping the nuggets from a ladder truck.
These fundraising projects have helped pay for the Kiwanis Dictionary Project, in which the club provides dictionaries to every 3rd grade student in local schools, and the bike helmet project, where the club gives out bike helmets during Colony Days with the help of the Palmer Police Department. The aforementioned scholarships at the middle and high schools are also funded with these projects.
Like many other service organizations, Kiwanis clubs are struggling in Alaska. The Palmer club is one of only a few in the state that are still meeting in person; a couple also meet via Zoom. Popularity of such clubs is declining around the country. However, one member noted, “It may not be as popular as it once was, but serving others is worthwhile, even if others don’t join like they once did. And the club provides friendships.” Some of those in the Palmer club have belonged for over 50 years! How fitting that service to one’s community and friendships go hand in hand. These qualities are – and always will be – relevant to our well being.
We extend to you, our fellow Valley community members, a warm invitation to come visit our club. There is usually a guest speaker from a local organization, and we always have a good time of fellowship.
Meeting details:
Where: Turkey Red banquet room - Palmer
When: every Tuesday – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on the first few Tuesdays of each month; 6:00 – 7:00 p.m the last two Tuesdays of the month
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiwanisClubofPalmerAlaska