If you’re passing by Cheney’s Sutton Park the evening of Aug. 12 , and happen to see a group of people laughing uproariously, don’t be alarmed.
In fact, that group would like you to stop in and ask them some questions — perhaps why they are laughing so much.
The group will be the Cheney Kiwanis Club and the occasion next Wednesday is the local service organization’s annual picnic. It’s also a special occasion in that the larger organization, Kiwanis International, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“It’s (Kiwanis) a loose translation of the phrase ‘we build,’” which comes from a Native American language,” Cheney chapter president Tom Whitfield said.
Founded in Detroit, Mich. in 1915 by businessmen who wanted to create a networking organization, Kiwanis soon went international with the formation of a club in Ontario, Canada the next year. In 1919, Kiwanis changed its focus from networking to service, going worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, Kiwanis is in 80 countries, with a membership of over 600,000. According to its website, Kiwanis chapters annually perform over 150,000 service projects and raise over $100 million for other community organizations.
Whitfield said Cheney’s chapter began in 1972, spurred by the efforts of local real estate agent Thorne Tibbitts and others. It currently has 30 members, but like many other volunteer organizations, is always looking for more.
Over the years, Cheney Kiwanis has become involved in a number of events, either as an original sponsor/creator or through partnerships with other organizations. Those include the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween party at Eastern Washington University, Coats for Kids, planting flowers at the Cheney Care Center and Special Olympics.
Whitfield said Kiwanis also raises money to fund a scholarship for a Cheney High School senior, and helps with funds for Cheney Outreach. They also sponsor service clubs at Eastern, at Cheney High and several elementary schools.
“We help other organizations that have needs as well, with a focus on youth,” he added.
Whitfield has been involved with Kiwanis for over 32 years, joining when he opened a dental practice in Cheney in order to get to know the community and become involved in community service. He said there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from being involved as a volunteer in service work.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “We laugh a lot at the meetings and we have good programs on local issues.”
Cheney Kiwanis meets every Thursday morning at 7 a.m. at Session Village’s community room, located at 2219 N. Sixth St. Whitfield said he’s happy to talk to anyone who might have questions about the organization, and can be reached at 235-5408.
“Anyone interested in joining is welcome to call me or come to a meeting,” he said. “The best way is just show up.”
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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