Marietta Kiwanis History

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF MARIETTA, INC. CHARTERED MARCH 1930

Early in 1930, a group of Marietta business and professional men became interested in organizing a Kiwanis Club in the city. Several members of the Atlanta Kiwanis Club assisted in completing the application for a charter with 25 members. The charter was approved by Kiwanis International March 7 and on March 10 was presented to the Marietta club by District Governor W. Ben Gibbes, of Jesup. Past International President Henry C. Heinz, of Atlanta, was the principal speaker on the occasion.

The Club elected officers and was off to a start in community service. Dr. Ralph W. Fowler, a well-known and beloved general practitioner who later specialized in pediatrics, was selected first president and served in that capacity for the balance of 1930 and for the year 1931. Under his leadership, a going club was soon established with committees functioning and good programs prepared for each meeting. Atlanta, the sponsoring club, was generous in helping with talent to augment local efforts in entertainment. President Fowler remained an active and dedicated Kiwanian until his death in 1967.

A TRADITION OF SERVICE

From its beginning in 1930 to the present, the Kiwanis Club of Marietta has been a strong service organization, with a special outreach to children in our community. One of the Club's earliest service projects was assisting in the establishment of a charity ward at the Marietta Hospital in 1933. Other early projects focused on helping deserving students finish high school, working with the county health department in eliminating common and deadly diseases and increasing agricultural efficiency by sponsoring registered "Pig and Corn" contests for 4-H youth. The Club was also instrumental in helping acquire land for Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Recently, the Club was at the forefront of an effort to raise funds to qualify for matching federal funds to improve the facilities at the Park. In September 2003, the club honored those killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 through a project called The Field of Flags Tribute Project at Kennesaw National Battlefield Park. This project received national media attention with over 3,000 American flags displayed for 5 days in recognition of the lives lost due to the attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

Other noteworthy service projects have included work in establishing the Battered Women's Shelter and the Children's Place daycare facility for children of the homeless at the YWCA and sponsorship for many years of the highly successful "Six Flags Special Olympics Day" which provided a day of fun at Six Flags for special Olympians and other special needs individuals. Recently, the Club has become a "Partner in Education" with six public schools, built a nature garden at Lockheed School, sponsored a county-wide literacy program and worked on the Roosevelt Circle "Habitat for Humanity" project. The Club is currently working on making the Soap Box Derby event for Marietta and Cobb County an annual event and major fundraiser.

Click here to read a brief history of Kiwanis International.

We are here to serve, and we need your help.

Last Updated - Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 01:40 PM