Task Force “100” is leading to “Kiwanis Second Century”

Preparing for the Centennial of the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville

The article below comes from the History of the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville, which can be accessed here: http://history.capitaldistrictkiwanis.org/clubs/charlottesville.html

Watch this space for other entertaining stories about the club’s 100 years of contribution “to improving the world, one child and one community at a time.”

The idea of a Kiwanis Club for Charlottesville originated with Norman T Shumate, President of the Farmers and Merchants Bank He visited his friend, Giles H Miller, Vice-President of the Lynchburg National Bank and a strong believer in Kiwanis Mr Shumate became thoroughly imbued with the ideals of Kiwanis When he returned home he called together some of the representative businessmen of the community and explained to them the possibilities for community growth and civic betterment which would result from the organized effort of the men of the community.

They wrote International, who sent Field Representative George Selig to Charlottesville to assist in letting the club properly started From the very first, Mr Selig had the hearty cooperation of all those who were asked to join

The organization meeting was held April 3, 1922, 62 were present of the 64 invited to join the new club

**1922 Charter officers
President Norman T Shumate, Vice President John L Manahan
Secretary-Treasurer Lawrence A Davis, Trustee Dan O Via

A number of Kiwanians from Lynchburg were present and many of them spoke of Kiwanis and its aims and ideals.

The Charter Presentation was held on May 25, 1922 Governor Julian Y Williams presented the charter District Secretary Harry G Kimball and representatives from Alexandria, Washington and Lynchburg were present.

The Charlottesville Club has always taken its part in activities for the under-privileged child and has given time and money for this cause. There is a Children’s Home in this city where we always send Christmas presents and have donated money from the treasury to keep the buildings and grounds in good condition. Very recently we have had the buildings painted.

The great University of Virginia is located here and there are always boys who need money and part time employment to help pay their way through college. We have a revolving fund and each year we set aside $100 to be loaned to some needy young man at a small rate of interest. We also have a committee whose duty it is to ascertain what members can use a young man of this kind in their businesses and if there are any positions found or created, to convey this information to the proper officials at the University.

We are backing the Good Roads Movement and have awarded prizes for the best essays by High School pupils on some phase of the good roads problem.

Our members fully realize that we cannot succeed alone, but that we are dependent on the International and District organizations for assistance and help. Each year our club is represented at both International and District Conventions and at the District Trustees’ meet. We find that much inspiration and help can be obtained from these meetings and that the reports of our delegates from these meetings always results in renewed effort and greater accomplishment by our members.

We are right behind International and the Capital District and will give our best efforts to accomplish any work given us, no matter how hard it may be, for we have in this club a bunch of hardworking, earnest thinkers who can be relied upon at all times.