The Kiwanis Club of Abilene has a long and storied history dating back to 1921. The club was officially chartered on May 25, 1921. The man who presented the charter was Dick O. Terrell, District Governor of the TX-OK District, of San Antonio, Texas. Below are some highlights of our club’s past accomplishments.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1920s
1924: Purchased two buffalo for Fair Park
1925: Provided treatment and hospitalization for crippled children
1926: Sponsored the Goodfellow Fund for poor and needy families
1929: Purchased playground equipment for city schools and parks
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1930s
1930: Established an Ice and Milk Fund for needy children
1932: Donated to the West Texas Children’s Fund
1933: Built a children’s wading pool at Fair Park
1934: Provided eye treatment and glasses for children
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1940s
1947: Began sponsorship of a boy scout troop
1948: Only group to reach their Red Cross Campaign quota
1948: Began the Kiwanis Gumball Machine Project
1949: The Club became a Singing Club with the new songs books that were purchased
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1950s
1950: Raised money for the March of Dimes to find a cure for polio
1951: Revived the Kiwanis Pancake Supper and raised $2500
1952: Donated ping-pong tables, badminton sets, and volleyballs to the Salvation Army
1953: Established Circle K Clubs at Abilene Christian, McMurry, and Hardin-Simmons Universities
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1960s
1960: Purchased twenty-five beds for the Boys Ranch
1961: Past President Chuck Moser chaired the United Fund Drive
1965: Donated $1000 to the Abilene Zoo
1969: Gumball receipts pass the $20,000 mark
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1970s
1970: Five club members attended the International Convention in San Francisco
1972: Gumball machine receipts pass the $25,000 mark
1975: Kiwanians performed 700 hours of service at the West Texas Fair
1979: Vocational Scholarships were increased to $325
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1980s
1980: Kiwanis members were Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army
1981: Donated $5,000 to the Chapel Building Fund at the Abilene State School
1985: Delivering Meals on Wheels became a club project
1987: Nancy Miller was inducted as the First Female Member
HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 1990
1990: Donated $1000 to help send the Cooper High School Band to march in the Rose Parade
1995: Donated $4,136.52 to the Children’s Miracle Network
2003: Fed over 600 at our United for Kids tailgate party
2006: Established the Melvin Martin First Responder Award
2008: Basketball Shootout raised $6,475.48 for Children’s Miracle Network
2011: Donated $50,000 to help build the Children’s Wing at Hendrick Hospital
2011: Celebrated our 90th Anniversary
2016: Gumball machine receipts exceed $275,000
2017: Donated more than $72,000 to Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus
2017: Hosted the TX-OK District Convention
2017: Sponsored the BUG Program at Reagan Elementary School
2017: Christmas Lighting at Safety City Signature Project
2018: Donated $1000 to Meals on Wheels
2018: Hosted the TX-OK District Convention for the second consecutive year
2018: Won first place in the TX-OK District Newsletter and Website Contest
2018-2019: Donated more than $74,000 to Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus Worldwide
2019: Assumed the sponsorship of the Big Country Spelling Bee
2019: Presented bicycles to the top performers in the BUG Program
HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 2019
2020: The Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
2020: Pancake Day was not held
2020: Meetings were conducted via Zoom
2021: Live meetings were resumed wearing masks
2021: The Club celebrated our 100th Anniversary on February 10, 2021
Just one week ago, this incredible group of Kiwanians built a ramp, making a real difference in the life of a community member. As Dennis Laster, a greatly missed Kiwanian and Ramp Team member, used to say, "We did a good thing today." It's hard work, but the feeling of helping others is unbeatable. Want to join us on the next ramp build? We'd love to have you! ... See MoreSee Less
On this Labor Day, we want to celebrate the spirit of service and the strength of our community. We're grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many dedicated individuals who make Abilene a wonderful place to live and work! ... See MoreSee Less
OUR HISTORY
The Kiwanis Club of Abilene has a long and storied history dating back to 1921. The club was officially chartered on May 25, 1921. The man who presented the charter was Dick O. Terrell, District Governor of the TX-OK District, of San Antonio, Texas. Below are some highlights of our club’s past accomplishments.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1920s
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1930s
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1940s
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1950s
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1960s
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1970s
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 1980s
HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 1990
HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 2019
Facebook Posts
Just one week ago, this incredible group of Kiwanians built a ramp, making a real difference in the life of a community member. As Dennis Laster, a greatly missed Kiwanian and Ramp Team member, used to say, "We did a good thing today." It's hard work, but the feeling of helping others is unbeatable. Want to join us on the next ramp build? We'd love to have you! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
On this Labor Day, we want to celebrate the spirit of service and the strength of our community. We're grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many dedicated individuals who make Abilene a wonderful place to live and work! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Upcoming events
First Responders Program
Kathy Culbertson
End of Year Celebration
TxDOT, I-20 Expansion
Kiwanis Board Meeting
2024-2025 Officer Installation
Kiwanis Board Meeting
Kiwanis Board Meeting