History of Division 3 (from Capital Builder)
J. Gregory Scull 1998-99 Lt. Governor
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If you drive south on Interstate 81 through Virginia you will run through the New River Valley and Division 3. The Division lies in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Much like the early settlers that traveled westward the Kiwanis clubs of Division 3 are independent. They serve their local communities first but support the Capital District and Kiwanis International when called upon. There are nine clubs in this division. They are divided by several mountain ridges and triangulated between Interstate 81 Route 460 and Interstate 77. At its tips are the towns of Christiansburg Bluefield and Marion. The railroad was the inspiration for forming many of the towns in Division 3. Travel by car between either of these towns is approximately 70 miles. The nine clubs are located in communities ranging from 2500 to 20000 people in population. Resources may be limited but the Kiwanis Clubs of Division 3 find many activities and service projects to keep busy. Division 3 (First known as Zone 3) was formed in 1923 with seven clubs: Clifton Forge Marion Martinsville Norton Pulaski Roanoke and Salem Virginia. By 1924 Division 3 covered Big Stone Gap (TN-KY-VA corner) north to Roanoke and east to Martinsville. Division 8 was formed in 1948 taking nine clubs out of Division 3. Roanoke moved to Division 2 in 1952. Salem moved to Division 2 in 1952. Division 3 served as the home of the Capital District communications from 1932 to 1975. It has provided leadership through three District Secretaries. Asa W. Howard (1932-38) and Frank B. Walters (1938-47) both of Roanoke. Walter C. Goodykoontz of the Kiwanis Club of Radford served the Capital District as its Secretary from 1947-1975 after which time our current District Secretary Ellis H. Stroup took on these responsibilities. Today Division 3 consists on the Kiwanis Clubs of Bluefield Christiansburg Marion Montgomery County/Blacksburg Narrows Pearisburg Pulaski Radford and Wythe County. Servicing Children is the main theme in Division 3. The Kiwanis Club of Bluefield is in the throws of selling tickets for a 4-wheeler to be raffled off at the Tazwell County Fair. These proceeds will be used to support local youth activities including a child support seat loaner program. The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The club has donated over $350000.00 to the community since it was chartered. Its annual Christmas Tree Sales Casino Night and Wilderness Trail projects help fund the Club's annual Christmas party for deserving children and the Town's recreational facility (Kiwanis Park). They Sponsor the Christiansburg High School Key Club. The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg and the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County/Blacksburg held their annual Spring Fair Carnival in May. This project raises over $10000.00 a year to support local projects for children. In addition to this work the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery County/Blacksburg has provided money to support the new children's area of the Blacksburg Branch of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library. The area is named the Kiwanis Club Story-Time Room. The Club's initial contribution was $10000.00 in 1995. The club continues it’s support to the library annually. In addition to this project they support the Hand-In-Hand Playground and the Virginia Tech Circle K Club. The Kiwanis Club of Marion holds an annual Yard Sale whereby it raises funds to support projects for local schools and its Fire Safety Project. The Kiwanis Club of Narrows holds a Fourth of July festival to raise funds for the local Town Park that they manage. This year they are replacing $10000.00 worth of playground equipment. They also sponsor the Narrows High School Key Club. The Kiwanis Club of Pearisburg holds an annual Worm Race and reads for the headstart program. They sponsor the Giles County High School Key Club. Members of the Kiwanis Club of Wythe County have served as judges for the Regional Science Fair. The Club sponsors a "Give the Kids the World" project with Holiday Inn. The Club also sponsors a Breakfast with Santa project and supports a local food bank. The Kiwanis Club of Pulaski supports a daily Bread program and the local Fine Arts Center. The Kiwanis Club of Radford has been sponsoring a youth in Government Day with Seniors from Radford High School and Radford City Officials since 1960. This project gives students a "first-hand" look at how the city works from the Mayor Town Council members and City Manager to the men and women that make the city function. The Club also works concessions for the Area 9 Special Olympics. They have supported this project for over ten years. The clubs grandest event is the annual Christmas Parade that it sponsors with Radford Main Street. Last year was the 4th year the club sponsored the event which was the largest in participation from floats participants and spectators. Although the Kiwanis Clubs of Division 3 support projects for children many of them fund scholarships for continuing education. We rarely know how these scholarships help the individuals that receive them. However there is hope in knowing that they may join Circle K or Kiwanis later in their lives. In Division 3 we have two Circle K Clubs. They reside at Radford University and Virginia Tech. For the past fifteen to twenty years these two clubs have served an adult with Muscular Dystrophy. Their service centered around James Reed. "Lifting with James" was a project that these two Clubs sponsored. It amounted to members assisting James with lifting weights to gain strength. James was included in many activities of both clubs. This Spring at age 45 James passed away. James' sister stated that Circle K was James' life. Her words were that he lived to see the Circle K members come and that they made his life worth living. She said that the Circle K members honored James in every way. This is a fitting example of service for all of us. Maybe our acts of service to youth lead to youth service for others. This is what makes the Kiwanis world go around in Division 3. Whether setting examples for others or learning by others' examples the Kiwanis Clubs in Division 3 truly build better communities and people through service. |