Magic City Kiwanis

Magic City Kiwanis was chartered on June 10, 1975 by the Barberton Noon Kiwanis Club. Our Kiwanis club, more than 80 members, is a part of Kiwanis International, which was founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan; today it consists of over 600,000 members in over 70 countries. Magic City Kiwanis is comprised of a fun-loving, hardworking, community-caring, diverse group of men and women who have ties directly or indirectly to Barberton.

Kiwanis is a service organization. We perform community betterment projects and have fundraisers to benefit local, and in some instances, worldwide charities and causes, primarily those involving children. 100% of all money raised by fundraisers must, by Kiwanis International by-laws, be used for service projects. The Magic City Kiwanis meets every Wednesday morning, 6:45 AM to 8:00 AM, at David B.'s Grille and Pub, 524 West Tuscarawas, in Downtown Barberton for breakfast, fellowship, and an entertaining or informative speaker presentation. Before the speaker of the day is introduced, approximately 7:30 AM, the president asks those who need to get to their jobs or other pressing business to please file out quietly so the program may begin.

Two of the programs that receive major contributions from Magic City Kiwanis each year are the Barberton Area Community Ministries ($1200) and the Esther Ryan Shoe Fund, ($1000) which Magic City Kiwanis and Esther Ryan co-incorporated. Some of the other causes we sponsor, or contribute to, are: Two college scholarship grants to Barberton High School seniors; the Magical Theatre; high school sports programs, OHIO READS, and the BHS class musical play.

A project we are extremely proud of is the gazebo at Lake Anna, which was built and paid for, by the people and businesses in the community, though the efforts of Magic City Kiwanis members.

Our administrative year is from October 1st to September 30th. Our October consists of two fundraisers, the Kiwanis Rose Day, whereby we sell and deliver roses on the first Saturday, and the sale of Entertainment Books.

In November, we host an art auction. Members are asked to furnish names of people to invite. Many volunteers are needed for this event. In addition, in November, we specify a date for Clergy Appreciation Day and the members invite their clergy persons to attend a breakfast and receive a small token of appreciation and our thanks. At the end of November, we host the Magic City Kiwanis Tree Lighting Ceremony at the gazebo in connection with the Grow Barberton, Inc. (GBI) Christmas Walk through downtown.

December finds us ringing the bells for the Salvation Army, and participants in a fierce competition to raise more money than the Barberton Noon Kiwanis or Norton Kiwanis. We also sponsor two families during the Christmas season by passing a basket for voluntary contributions at four morning meetings. There is usually an evening Christmas party during in the week between Christmas and New Years.

By February, we are rested up after the holiday season and start selling delicious locally made Temo Chocolate Valentine Heart baskets.

In April, we help Clean Up Barberton Day, usually picking up trash around the new high school. Our pancake breakfast during the Cherry Blossom Weekend in May is a popular event and one that takes the help of many members to be successful. Scotch Doubles bowling takes place in late May. If you are a serious bowler and have no sense of humor, better pass on Scotch Doubles bowling. Otherwise, join the fun.

The first Saturday of June, the Magic City Kiwanis is the lead group in the Boy Scout Camp Manatoc Work Day. We organize the other nearby Kiwanis Clubs into a work force that prepares the Camp for the arrival of the Scouts. In addition, we spearheaded the drive to replace the horse stable that burned down at the camp several years ago.

In July, we paint a house under the direction of the Neighborhood Conservation Services of Barberton "Paint Your Heart Out." In 2004 for the first time, we got into landscaping at the designated house. The homeowner chosen was very appreciative of our work.
In September, the rose sales are in full swing and the Entertainment Book sales begin. Other community service projects and fundraisers vary during the year. The last event of the administrative year is our Installation Banquet, held in the evening of the last Wednesday of September. We thank the outgoing officers for a job well done and welcome the new officers at a gala celebration. Various awards are given to members for perfect attendance, outstanding service, length of membership, and the achievement of sponsoring new members.

The dues for Magic City Kiwanis are $200 for a whole year, which includes the cost of 12, breakfasts, at $6.50, each which is the amount, the restaurant charges us.

We ask our members to try to attend at least one meeting a month at the minimum, hopefully more. If health, work, or other circumstances arise that prohibit attendance at morning meetings, a leave of absence is possible while remaining in membership status. There is no pressure to participate in activities or fundraisers and no quotas or mandatory purchase of products or tickets.

We regularly participate in "Inter-clubs" which means we have at least four of our members attend a meeting or event of another Kiwanis Club. In addition, there are three Kiwanis conventions a year open to all Kiwanians, two held somewhere in Ohio and the third nationally or internationally.

THOSE WHOM WE HELP

The Magic City Kiwanis has an annual charitable budget of approximately $12,000-$14,000. This money comes from fundraisers such as the sale of Entertainment Books, Roses, Temo Valentine Candy, our annual Art Auction in November, and our Pancake Breakfast during the Cherry Blossom festival. Every penny raised by our fundraisers is used for good works, mostly within Barberton, but we do support a few causes state or nationwide.

We have standing annual commitments of $1200 to the Barberton Area Community Ministries, $1000 to the Magic City Kiwanis Esther Ryan Shoe Fund, and $1500 for two scholarship awards for graduating BHS seniors. We often pay $600 for the sponsorship of the Handel's Messiah Concert at Christmas and varying amounts to the Mum Fest, Cancer Relay for Life, Downtown Barberton Inc. Christmas Walk, Hope for the Holidays, Barberton Beautification and Adopt-A-Spot, NCS of Barberton Paint Your Heart Out, the middle school honors programs, spelling bee trophies, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Little League, Quad Softball, and many more.

Activities that help children take priority on Kiwanis spending. Any group wishing to request a grant from Magic City Kiwanis should put its request in writing, furnishing the amount requested, giving as much information as possible about the use of the funds and nature of the group making the request. At the monthly board meeting, the second Thursday of the month, grant requests are considered.

We have opened a heritage bank account and ten percent of all fund raising revenue is placed there for a future major project within Barberton."