Town Center Kiwanis Club of Virginia Beach

by Nancy Pindur

The Town Center Kiwanis Club, Virginia Beach has had a very busy past two months focused on two of our fundraisers -Neptune Festival and the Town Center 5K Taste of Town Center Race. Members worked hard at the Beer and Wine Tent at the Neptune Fest for 3 days at the end of September, and also along the race route or before and after the 5K race to assure that each event was a success. We are now available on Facebook so that others can follow us. We are Town Center Kiwanis, Virginia Beach on facebook and we also have a website: www.towncenterkiwanis.com. Pictures of our members in action at these two fundraising events can be viewed.

One of our hands on charity events took place the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Each year we host CLASP Bingo for mentally challenged young people and adults who play BINGO to win Christmas gifts for friends and family members. Headed by our member Bob Miller who calls the numbers and letter and who assures that everyone gets at least 3 prize gifts because Towncenter members help the players find their numbers. For your information ,CLASP stands for citizens loving all special people. This event is one that is heartwarming, watching these people get so excited when they win and can go to the gift table and select (shop for) a gift.

In the next weeks before Christmas we will be visiting Hope Haven Children's Home and bring cookies and gifts for the people who live there and members will also work with the Salvation Army one day to help distribute the Toys for Tots and Salvation Army Angel Tree gifts. The past couple years have seen an increase in the number of persons seeking help. Definitely our area has been affected by our economy.

Our annual Christmas party, our December social event, takes place once again at the home of Ron and Sandra Amidon. Members will bring appetizers to share and we enjoy the company of our members and their significant others as the year winds down. Here is hoping that Kiwanians around the globe can reflect on our blessings and remember our purpose as Kiwanians as we enter the new year.