Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. September 4, 2022, marked 20 years of distinguished service for the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs.
The population of Holly Springs has quadrupled over those years, yet the club has seen membership reduce. Members move out of the area or get too busy to continue with the club, and as a non-profit, it can sometimes be hard to find new members that would like to be part of something bigger than themselves. Residents all over Holly Springs want to make a difference in this great community, but often don’t know where to start. Kiwanis is one of the local civic organizations that makes a difference in the community and is inviting new members.
It doesn’t take much. Volunteering only a few hours a month can have an impact. In fact, volunteering improves mental health, happiness, self-esteem, self-worth, and life satisfaction. As many jobs are now done from home, much of the club’s needs can be met from there as well. Contributing by simply applying one’s skills occasionally can make all the difference, whether they be in project management, IT, sales, finance, communications/marketing, education, social media, or running a household.
Kids Need Kiwanis, Kiwanis Needs You!
The club’s impact continues far and wide. Through Kiwanis youth service leadership programs (SLPs), the club sponsors three high school Key Clubs, a middle school Builders Club and has honored hundreds of terrific kids and teachers over the years. Through its history, the club has touched the lives of countless children and adults.
The Kiwanians’ “Halloween Haunted Schoolhouse” production was a hit for young and old for several years until the Hunt Community Center was renovated in 2009. Since 2008, the club has been a recognized partner with the Town of Holly Springs in planning and presenting the annual Holly Springs Happy Holly Days Parade. Through the Wake County Kiwanis Division Dictionary Project, the club has delivered thousands of dictionaries to local elementary school students. More than a standard dictionary, students and teachers have written thank you letters about how they are using it to improve writing and to learn new words, Roman numerals, sign language, information about states and presidents, and much more. One student wrote: “…I grab it” and “I feel smart because I’m not using Google.” For many years, the club arranged professional tutoring for K-2nd grade Holly Springs students who were underprivileged and at risk of failing academically.
The Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs has been instrumental at the root of several successful community endeavors. To name a few, members of the club have been involved in running the Holly Springs Food Cupboard since its incorporation, assisting the Holly Springs Half Marathon with its inception as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and helping the Town of Holly Springs initiate the Happy Holly Days Tree Trail which has evolved to the Winterfest and Tree Trail event presented by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce. The club continues to amass countless volunteer hours through its members and sponsored youth SLPs in service to these now established community ventures.
Through its history, the club has provided scholarships to high school Key Club seniors; assisted school programs such as drama, art, dance, and sports; donated to organizations including Zach’s Toy Chest, Holly Springs School of Dance scholarship fund, Holly Springs Food Cupboard, Holly Springs Police Department Kids Academy, the YMCA Annual Campaign, and others; and participated in community events like HollyFest providing fun activities and giveaways for children.
Last but not least, the club, with the help of Town of Holly Springs Parks & Recreation held its 18th annual Kids Appreciation Day (KA Day) in May 2022 after it was postponed for two years. Sadly, the future of this event, enjoyed yearly by youth and adults, is in jeopardy of continuing due to a lack of volunteers needed during the planning process which typically begins the first of each calendar year. You can make a difference and help continue this tradition!
KA Day has been an anticipated family-focused, fun-filled event for area kids, their families, our schools and the business community to join in celebrating the end of the school year. During the community festival, Kiwanians conduct a ceremony to honor students and teachers chosen by their schools as “Terrific Kids” and “Terrific Teachers.” Entertainment and activities are provided by local vendors, and dance, martial arts, gymnastics and music schools, among others. On average, the event features over 50 business sponsors and supporting vendors with 3,000 attendees including 1,000 children.
Do you think the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs should continue to serve the community? If so, let them know, or better yet, reach out to help them with their projects and events. There are many opportunities, roles, and levels of service. You choose based on your interest and how much you can commit. The club typically meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the evening. That’s just twelve times per year! Visit the club’s website for dates, times, and details.
The Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs includes corporate members Mike Stone of Edward Jones, Nash Atkins State Farm Agent, Ryan Monteleone of Pace Yourself Run Company, Amanda Lunn’s Massage Ingenuity and STORAGEMAX Holly Springs. The club would also like to recognize long-time supporters: Charter Kiwanis Member Mayor Dick Sears, Alexander Guess CPA, Learn with the Best School, Holly Springs Eye Associates, Fritz & Wilson Orthodontics, UNC Health, Signature Family Dentistry, Chick-fil-A of Holly Springs, Holly Springs School of Dance, Tiger Rock Martial Arts, Primrose School at Holly Grove, The Original NY Pizza, Pelicans Snoballs, S&S Entertainment, Kim’s Yong-In Martial Arts, Bach to Rock Apex, Sonshine Gymnastics, Holly Springs Salamanders’ mascot Sal, and Holly Springs Police and Fire Departments.
This is your chance to make a difference in the community, do something great for the local kids, and feel good about yourself by being a part of something that the community needs.
Will the Kiwanis Club of Holly Springs’ service to the community continue to be, or not to be? That is the question.
That Is the Question (For One Local Civic Group)
