Our club manages a wide variety of projects that involve fundraising, community service, and assisting children locally and worldwide. Below are stories of recent club activities. Consider joining us.
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***January Meeting Programs Show Kiwanians How to “Look to the Future and Live for the Present”
January 26, 2026 —“It’s never too early or too late to plan”— this was the message delivered by Beth Norton of Norton Health Law and Don Giannangeli of Edward Jones who discussed estate planning, health law, and retirement financial planning at the first Kiwanis Club general meeting of 2026 at The Center at Belvedere. Our genial presenters conducted a lively discussion with the twenty members in attendance who asked many interesting and challenging questions. Attendees were left with detailed handouts and were encouraged to follow up with the professionals they are comfortable with to make life easier for themselves and their families now and in the future.
President Marieka Williams and Program Chair Matt Laird thank our presenters
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“What time is it? It is NOW!” — that was the message delivered by Freddy Jackson, founder of Love No Ego, a dynamic non-profit which “helps youth and young adults to discover themselves, go beyond the limitations of the egotistical world, and be their best selves” by offering mentoring, professional speaking workshops, and even athletic training programsfor youth and young adults ages 10-24. Every young participant in Freddy’s programs receives a free wrist watch, whose face says NOW. What better time is there to realize your potential for greatness and goodness than RIGHT NOW?
Kiwanians were on the edge of their seats as they took in Freddy’s inspiring message at the second Kiwanis Club general meeting of 2026 at The Center at Belvedere. The discussion was animated and went well beyond the traditional 8:00 p.m. ending time. But who was looking at their watch??? The time is always NOW.
Freddy Jackson receives the replica Kiwanis bell from a grateful President Marieka
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***Kiwanian Presented with the Coveted George F. Hixson Fellowship Award
January 24, 2026 — A special moment was enjoyed at the first general meeting of the new year when Kiwanian Jack Compton was presented with the George F. Hixson Fellowship by his daughter, President-Elect Cindy Reynolds at The Center at Belvedere. All in attendance rose and applauded Jack for his service to the children of our community and the world through Kiwanis. In 1983, the Kiwanis Children’s Fund established the George F. Hixson Fellowship. Named for Kiwanis International’s first president, Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give US$1,000 or more to the Children’s Fund. It’s a way of recognizing people who have contributed significantly to Kiwanis’ history of generosity. In fact, clubs and Kiwanians often give in honor of another person or organization — recognizing others’ help and commitment with a Hixson Fellowship.Congratulations, Jack, and thank you, Cindy!
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***Kiwanis/Walmart Gifts-In-Kind Project Keeps Rolling Along
January 19, 2026 — In November, 2018 the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville Foundation became the new donation distribution arm for Walmart Store #1780 in Charlottesville. Non-perishable items like clothing, small electronics, toys, school supplies, sports equipment, household items of all types, lawn and garden items, and more are made available to Kiwanis on a weekly basis for distribution to community agencies in need of gifts-in-kind. The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville has reached out to more than a dozen such community agencies since this partnership has been in effect and has made available more than $1,000,000 worth of gifts-in-kind.
Bicycles ready for pick-up by Charlottesville Community Bikes
Past Kiwanis Capital District Governor Eric Lamb, who conceived of this project a little over seven years ago, leads a small but dedicated team of Kiwanis volunteers (including Charlie Krizek and Tom Lowe) on a weekly visit to Walmart, where they pick up at least a pallet load of overstock merchandise that Kiwanis then makes available to more than a dozen agencies as gifts-in-kind. One of our steady partner-beneficiaries is Charlottesville Community Bikes. Just in the past month, Kiwanis was able to forward more than two dozen bikes (of various sizes) to this wonderful community asset, which “promotes environmentally sound transportation, recycles bicycles, and makes cycling accessible.” In a recent facebook post, agency staff explained the difference Charlottesville Community Bikes is making for kids in this community:
As the year wraps up, moments like this remind us why we do this work. A few weeks ago, a mom came in with her two kids looking for bikes. We found one right away, but couldn’t find another that fit her second child. He started to tear up. Just then, another family walked in to donate a bike their child had outgrown. Minutes later, it was heading home with its new owner, Liam — after a round of high fives in the shop.The thank-you note Liam mailed us is now hanging above our register, and it’s a daily reminder of why this work matters.
Liam thanks Charlottesville Community Bikes
Ask yourself: “What if Kiwanis did not exist?” –consider the case of Liam. The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville is not a service provider, but we aim to provide leverage to those excellent service providers who make this community such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. As the hash tag says: #KidsNeedKiwanis
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Most Recent Club Activities
Our club manages a wide variety of projects that involve fundraising, community service, and assisting children locally and worldwide. Below are stories of recent club activities. Consider joining us.
__________
***January Meeting Programs Show Kiwanians How to “Look to the Future and Live for the Present”
January 26, 2026 —“It’s never too early or too late to plan” — this was the message delivered by Beth Norton of Norton Health Law and Don Giannangeli of Edward Jones who discussed estate planning, health law, and retirement financial planning at the first Kiwanis Club general meeting of 2026 at The Center at Belvedere. Our genial presenters conducted a lively discussion with the twenty members in attendance who asked many interesting and challenging questions. Attendees were left with detailed handouts and were encouraged to follow up with the professionals they are comfortable with to make life easier for themselves and their families now and in the future.
___________
“What time is it? It is NOW!” — that was the message delivered by Freddy Jackson, founder of Love No Ego, a dynamic non-profit which “helps youth and young adults to discover themselves, go beyond the limitations of the egotistical world, and be their best selves” by offering mentoring, professional speaking workshops, and even athletic training programs for youth and young adults ages 10-24. Every young participant in Freddy’s programs receives a free wrist watch, whose face says NOW. What better time is there to realize your potential for greatness and goodness than RIGHT NOW?
Kiwanians were on the edge of their seats as they took in Freddy’s inspiring message at the second Kiwanis Club general meeting of 2026 at The Center at Belvedere. The discussion was animated and went well beyond the traditional 8:00 p.m. ending time. But who was looking at their watch??? The time is always NOW.
_____________
***Kiwanian Presented with the Coveted George F. Hixson Fellowship Award
January 24, 2026 — A special moment was enjoyed at the first general meeting of the new year when Kiwanian Jack Compton was presented with the George F. Hixson Fellowship by his daughter, President-Elect Cindy Reynolds at The Center at Belvedere. All in attendance rose and applauded Jack for his service to the children of our community and the world through Kiwanis. In 1983, the Kiwanis Children’s Fund established the George F. Hixson Fellowship. Named for Kiwanis International’s first president, Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give US$1,000 or more to the Children’s Fund. It’s a way of recognizing people who have contributed significantly to Kiwanis’ history of generosity. In fact, clubs and Kiwanians often give in honor of another person or organization — recognizing others’ help and commitment with a Hixson Fellowship. Congratulations, Jack, and thank you, Cindy!
____________
***Kiwanis/Walmart Gifts-In-Kind Project Keeps Rolling Along
January 19, 2026 — In November, 2018 the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville Foundation became the new donation distribution arm for Walmart Store #1780 in Charlottesville. Non-perishable items like clothing, small electronics, toys, school supplies, sports equipment, household items of all types, lawn and garden items, and more are made available to Kiwanis on a weekly basis for distribution to community agencies in need of gifts-in-kind. The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville has reached out to more than a dozen such community agencies since this partnership has been in effect and has made available more than $1,000,000 worth of gifts-in-kind.
Past Kiwanis Capital District Governor Eric Lamb, who conceived of this project a little over seven years ago, leads a small but dedicated team of Kiwanis volunteers (including Charlie Krizek and Tom Lowe) on a weekly visit to Walmart, where they pick up at least a pallet load of overstock merchandise that Kiwanis then makes available to more than a dozen agencies as gifts-in-kind. One of our steady partner-beneficiaries is Charlottesville Community Bikes. Just in the past month, Kiwanis was able to forward more than two dozen bikes (of various sizes) to this wonderful community asset, which “promotes environmentally sound transportation, recycles bicycles, and makes cycling accessible.” In a recent facebook post, agency staff explained the difference Charlottesville Community Bikes is making for kids in this community:
As the year wraps up, moments like this remind us why we do this work. A few weeks ago, a mom came in with her two kids looking for bikes. We found one right away, but couldn’t find another that fit her second child. He started to tear up. Just then, another family walked in to donate a bike their child had outgrown. Minutes later, it was heading home with its new owner, Liam — after a round of high fives in the shop. The thank-you note Liam mailed us is now hanging above our register, and it’s a daily reminder of why this work matters.
Ask yourself: “What if Kiwanis did not exist?” –consider the case of Liam. The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville is not a service provider, but we aim to provide leverage to those excellent service providers who make this community such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. As the hash tag says: #KidsNeedKiwanis
____________
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