Copyright © 2005
Kiwanis Club of
Skagit-Mount Vernon.
All Rights Reserved.
Club News |
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Kiwanis Club of
Skagit-Mount Vernon The Kiwanis Club of Skagit-Mount Vernon was chartered as a local Skagit Valley club in 1972, and has been based in Mount Vernon since then. Many of our members live in the area surrounding Mount Vernon, and therefore many of our projects have assisted needs within Skagit County, not just in Mount Vernon. Dozens of fundraising projects have been conducted over the past 1/3rd century by our members. We, as well as other local service clubs, try to develop niche fundraisers to help identify our club in the community. Due to the abundance of locally grown tulips in the spring, our club has had an ongoing project involving tulip sales since its earliest years. At first, we sold cut tulips which are traditional for this area. However, by the early ‘80’s, the club decided to ‘colorize’ Valentine’s day each year by offering potted red tulips for sale in mid-February. Each year at this time numerous businesses and local homes are decorated with these colorful flower tributes to our local growers. We are the only service club in the area selling potted red tulips. In the early 90’s our unique and fun project was the “Great Skagit Duck Race” held once each spring on the river just off Lion’s Park. We planned this as an entertainment event for the community, with live music, food and games at the park before the race. Each year, approximately 4,500 plastic ducks ‘raced’ from the pontoon barge to the catch pen, under the careful examination of the Washington State Lottery Commission and hundreds of spectators. Due to the extensive member time involvement and declining donations, the decision was made to discontinue this project after the 4th year. About the time the Duck Race was finished, a member of an Anacortes Kiwanis club dubbed our club ‘the good ol’ boy comedy club’ based on the fun time we have at, yawn, 7am on Thursday’s! Shortly thereafter, we began another successful local event: “Comedy Night at the Lincoln Theater.” Professional comedians bring rib tickling humor to the valley and this beautiful venue at least once each year. As our club has evolved, we now assist the Mount Vernon (Noon) club with their annual Tulip Festival Salmon Bar-B-Que at Hillcrest Park. A share of the profit is earned, which our club donates back into the community in many ways. Related Article Related Article Related Article Related Article Related Article Related Article A tally of contributions
and donations back into the community since our 1994-5
administrative year is impressive, totaling $150,500! None of
the public money raised by the club is retained for club operations;
it’s all returned to the community in the form of scholarships and
donations. Thousands more has been put to community use since
our inception in 1972.
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