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The Millville Kiwanis Club was
organized on February 1, 1923 with Atlantic City Kiwanis as
its sponsor. The first meeting of the Board of Directors
was held on February 20, 1923. By-laws were approved on
February26, 1923 by Kiwanis international. A charter was
issued on June 20, 1923. There were 51 charter members.
The charter officers were:
Wilbert Bivens, President
F.C. Morrison, Vice President
Wilbert R. Goodwin, Secretary
Dr. A. J. Mander, Treasurer
Will T. Bingham, District Trustee
Within the first year of the clubs
existence, 26 new members were added, bringing the
membership to 77. In 1924, Will was elected District
Governor for New Jersey and the entire club attended the
installation.
During the Depression, the club was
appointed by the mayor to organize a Welfare Drive for
raising funds for the unemployed in the city. Its goal of
$15,000 was over subscribed. The club was renowned in
Southern New Jersey for its singing during these years. The
Millville Kiwanis Quartet was voted the outstanding musical
organization present at the Atlantic City Convention in
1930. Two years later, funds were appropriated to send the
Quartet to the International Convention in Detroit.
Eighteen members attended that convention. In 1937, George
Borneman of the Millville Club was elected Lieutenant
Governor.
Through the years, the club has
supported continues to support the Millville Hospital, (now
South Jersey Hospital Systems); Boy Scouts, Explorer Patrol
and Special Olympics. For many years, starting in 1941, the
hosted an annual Easter Egg Hunt which was always attended
by hundreds of children. Other notable past activities
included sponsorship of the Annual Christmas Lighting
Contest of homes in the city.
The longest standing and most cherished
service project of the Millville Kiwanis has been financing
a trip to Washington DC for members of the elementary and
middle school safety patrols. This commitment was first
undertaken in 1936 and has been continued ever since. For
the past twenty years, the club has sponsored an annual
Barber Shop Show to raise the funds necessary to fulfill its
commitment to the children.
For about twenty four years, the
Millville Kiwanis has supported the Key Club at the High
School through financial contributions and by inviting Key
Club members to attend luncheons. A $500.00 scholarship is
awarded to a senior Key Club member each year at graduation.
Millville Kiwanis has also financed a banquet honoring the
football players for more than 29 years.
Socially, the highlight of the Kiwanis
year is the annual picnic at the Ushler’s home. Hosted by
long time member Jerry Ushler and his wife, Tracy. The
picnic is held on the second Thursday of August each year.
The Ushler’s always extend their hospitality to all the
members with great food and a refreshing dip in the pool. The
picnic has also been held at the Mitchell farm. Great food
and even a good game of horse shoes.
It has been a Millville Club tradition
to have a program chairperson each month who invites and
introduces the guest speakers. Many times, the speakers who
have been invited have used the Kiwanis podium as a vehicle
for disseminating important news. Area newspaper reporters
frequently write articles about these speeches.
For most members, the regular meeting
highlight of the year is the introduction the top ten
academic students of the senior class by the school
principal. The Club has made a conscious effort to honor
other outstanding student achievement by recognizing the top
ten vocational students, honoring championship sports teams,
their coaches and inviting bands, choirs, the debate team
and drama groups to perform at club meetings.
The Millville Kiwanis Club meets every
Thursday 12:00 noon at the Heritage House at Wheaton Village. Members are
encouraged to attend and guest are always welcome.
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