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Club HistoryStarting Out The Kiwanis Club of Columbia, Missouri was organized on April 5, 1922, with a total of 50 charter members. The sponsoring work for the establishment of the Club was done by the Kiwanis Club of St. Louis (Downtown). The charter was presented at a banquet held at the Daniel Boone Tavern in Columbia, on May 16, 1922. There were nearly 150 persons there, enjoying a six-course meal, highlighted by musical numbers by girls from both Stephens and Christian colleges. In between these courses, the guests sang Kiwanis songs. Toastmaster was B.C. Hunt, Club president. In Kiwanis tradition, the program opened with the singing of "America". Opening remarks were provided by officials from other Kiwanis organizations, including the Missouri-Kansas District. Speakers included Dean Walter Miller of the University of Missouri, N.T. Gentry, Judge David E. Blair of the State Supreme Court, and others. "The object of our existence as clubs is for the living of the Golden rule to our modern everyday life as well as business life," a speaker said. "Every Kiwanis club aims and works to be of aid in the church, the city government, or chamber of commerce. Not to run any one of these established institutions, bat aid and assist them, staying off all general controversy." According to the Columbia Missourian, "Favors of four-foot self-winding measuring tapes with the seal and emblem of Kiwanis stamped in blue on each side of the container were distributed to visiting ladies. Carnival paper hats were placed at each plate, and worn during the evening. The table flowers were presented to the women at the close of the program." Since Our FoundingThe Club has continuously contributed time, service, and money to community endeavors. Since the Kiwanis emphasis has been directed toward the young, many programs have been designed for their benefit.For example, in the Club's early days of the 1920's a "Milk for School Children" program was in operation. Careful records were kept of weights and school work with comparison to those not so supplied. A pioneer effort long before the Federal Government became involved in similar projects. As early as 1924 Boy Scouts were helped with their undertakings. Several members were scoutmasters. At one time, the Club also supported Sea Scout Ship in Columbia. Kiwanians joined other groups in calling for a municipal airport in 1928. Later a shelter camp for underprivileged children was supported. Eventually many other groups provided food and services to this project, designed in part to identify tuberculosis suspects. Other proposals assisted needy children in many ways. Christmas was special, when trees, candies and foods were distributed. The city's recreational program received Kiwanis money and support. In 1939 ten members contributed 100 hours monthly aiding those in the crippled children's ward. Agricultural areas have always concerned Kiwanians. Starting in 1934, 4-H Club members have been awarded cash prizes in shows at the Boone County Fair. At one time the Club guaranteed student loans for 4-H members to purchase ewes. A major Kiwanis International program called for a closer relationship between the rural and urban elements. Thus each year there is a Farm-City Day, with local farmers Club guests, hearing a program for their concern. Kiwanians do not, as a club, become involved in the political arena, yet members are concerned with civic improvements. An early project was the Community Chest, now the United Fund. More cooperation among the Columbia churches was a goal; today we have the annual Lenten Prayer series that involves many congregations. During the depression years of the 1930's, our Club sponsored a Garden Committee, under the leadership of Kiwanian T.J. Talbert, of the University of Missouri Department of Horticulture and Forestry. Gardens were started for the unemployed. There was "a surge of enthusiasm" among local residents. Help was obtained from seed men and greenhouse owners, Flower & Garden Club, County Extension Agent, Welfare Office, College of Agriculture, and other groups. In 1940 there was a Community Garden, with Kiwanians assisting Federal agencies and other service groups. The tradition of "Pancake Day" started in 1952 at Jack's Latch. It has moved from place to place and is currently held at Columbia College's dining hall. This event remains the largest fundraiser for the five Kiwanis Clubs in Columbia. All the money we receive from fund raising re-enters the community through programs designed to aid those in need. By the way, through the years the Columbia Club witnessed the addition of four other clubs in the city, all sponsored by our Club except Westside Columbia. The other Columbia clubs are:
Our Kiwanis Club was involved early with the Crippled Children's Ward at the University of Missouri Medical Center, providing funds for equipment. The Club also helped the Nora Stewart Nursery. From time to time our Club has helped senior citizens' projects, the city library, and other endeavors. In the early 1980's Kiwanis adopted a theme: "Young Children, a Kiwanis Concern." The Missouri-Arkansas District adopted the Children's Miracle Network. In 1991, The Mo-Ark District House of Delegates voted to support a "Pediatric Cardiology Clinic" at the University of Missouri Medical Center. About this time Dr. Zuhdi Lababidi, a cardiologist, perfected angioplasty for babies. A goal of $257,000 was established for equipment and research in order to create the "Kiwanis Pediatric Cardiology Unit" within the Medical Center. That monetary goal was reached in 1997 and the dedication ceremony was held April 5, 1997. During the first year several thousands of children were cared for at the center. Soon Dr. William Altemeier of Vanderbilt University was added to the staff to organize a Children's Hospital within the U.M. Medical Center. In 1992-93, the Children's Center became the Children's Hospital. It is a hospital within a hospital, with more than 100 beds, dedicated exclusively to neonatal, pediatric, and adolescent care. There are specialized units within the Hospital, such as the hospital school program, child life therapists, and a neonatal transport team. Other University units are available, the rehabilitation center, helicopter, and ground ambulance service, burn and thoracic intensive care. The program continues to expand, caring for thousands and thousands of children from across Missouri annually. The cardiologists treat children with congenital heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, weakened heart muscles, rheumatic heart disease and infections of damaged heart valves or the sac that holds the heart. The central geographic location aids the program. This history information has been collected by long time club member Bill Taft. We appreciate his many club contributions. |
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