08 Sep 2024 Kiwanis Club of Conway celebrates century of service
By David Grimes
A hundred years of history was shared on July 24 as the Kiwanis Club of Conway marked its centennial anniversary. Doors opened at 11 a.m. as current and former members gathered at Central Baptist College (CBC) along with a host of visitors and guests to celebrate a century of service to the community.
The Conway club was officially chartered on July 23, 1924, with 36 members. The local group was the second Kiwanis club established in Arkansas, having been sponsored by the Little Rock club. Members of the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club attended the celebration, as well as Kiwanians from Batesville, Harrison and Morrilton. Conway co-sponsored the Morrilton club in 1925, and the two have shared a strong bond since.
The Kiwanis Club of Conway is part of the Mo-Ark District. Mo-Ark Governor-Elect Jim Fritz from St. Louis congratulated the club on the milestone achievement. Conway Kiwanian Ron Hill is slated to take over the role of governor-elect when Fritz becomes governor in October.
Club President David DeRosa served as master of ceremonies and guided the group through a packed agenda. “A club with a 100-year legacy is truly amazing!” DeRosa said. “While reflecting on a century of supporting children in Central Arkansas, I am inspired by the impact we’ve made and the lives we’ve touched. The vision that moved the founding members continues to drive us forward.”
CBC President Terry Kimbrow welcomed the event to campus and opened the meeting with a blessing. A proclamation from the city of Conway was read, honoring the club.
From there, a host of club members participated in the program, with Amanda Horton leading the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Reviving a tradition, longtime member Terry Fiddler led the club in song, as they belted out an old club favorite, “Keep It Booming.”
Cliff Henry gave a brief history of the Toad Suck 10K/5K run, which the club sponsors each year. The race dates back to 1982 and is a major fundraiser for the club. The race proceeds are awarded to local nonprofits, and more than $44,000 in checks were given to representatives who attended the meeting.
Other club activities include the annual pancake breakfast and pictures with Santa, food boxes at Christmas, the Bookcase Project and funding several college scholarships for local students each year. Scholarship recipient Kallie Hudnall from Mayflower High School was on hand to speak about how the award will help continue her studies at the University of Central Arkansas this fall.
The club’s original charter from 1924 was on display, as well as a plaque featuring the names of all 100 of the club’s presidents. There are 41 presidents still living, and President-Elect Cole Shanandore recognized the 24 who were able to attend. Shanandore will take over as club president in October.
The club’s current roster is 96 strong. Gene Bartley asked members to stand to be recognized by the decade they joined. Former members in attendance were also recognized as a group. The club boasts two men who joined in the 1960s. Bill Johnson was unable to attend but is the club’s longest tenured member at 63 years, having joined in 1961. Don Bradley III joined Kiwanis in 1968 and spoke briefly about some of his memories from his 56 years as a member.
Kiwanis International was a male-only organization until 1987, and Ramona Sitz became Conway’s first female member in 1994. Women now comprise more than one-quarter of the roster.
Crystal Kemp also joined in 1994 and was the first female elected president of the Conway Kiwanis, serving in 2000-2001. She spoke about her experiences breaking down barriers and helping lead the club into a new era. Now, five of the previous 13 club presidents have been women, with Lindsey French slated to take over after Shanandore.
David Grimes closed the meeting by reading an article about another Kiwanis Club that had disbanded due to declining membership and challenged those in attendance to not let that happen to the Conway club.
Since 1924, the Kiwanis Club of Conway has met on Wednesdays at noon. It currently meets at CBC and guests are always welcome.
