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Kiwanis
Club Of Anna Maria Island Chartered September 15, 1952
Charter Members
Significant Historical
Dates& Events
Kiwanis Division 17 Goals (2002-2003)
Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island
Past Presidents
Clubs
chartered in 2002 - 2003
The Anna Maria Island Kiwanis Club
was sponsored by the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, led by Dr.
George M. Coates. The charter meeting of the club
on September 15, 1952 and the club's first regular
meeting on Nov. 19, 1952 were both held at the Anna
Maria Elementary School. Until 1964, the Island
Elementary School was the location of the Club's weekly
meetings as well as a center for club activities.
The use of the school was something due to the fact that
the club's first Secretary-Treasurer, Clyde Phelps, was
married to the school's principal Lena Phelps.
However, the relationship between the school and the
club continues on today. The Anna Maria Island
Kiwanis Club owes its origination and nurturing to both
the Bradenton Kiwanis Club and the Anna Maria Elementary
School.
In 1964, the Manatee County
Commissioners asked the club to take over the management
of the Pavilion at the Manatee County Beach in Holmes
beach. For the next twenty years the club actively
and efficiently accomplished this task. First by
part-time participation by many of our members.
Later Herman Poelsma was employed by the club as a
full-time manager. Money earned from this
operation was used to benefit Island benevolences such
as beach equipment, scholarships, Little League, Grade
School, and the Island Community Center. For
twenty years, the club met weekly on the Beach holding
the last meeting at the Pavilion on November 12, 1984.
Since 1984, the club has utilized
other island locations for its weekly meetings,
including the following: Trader Jacks, Tip of the
Island, Resort 66, Sunny Side-Up, Shells, and Fit To Eat
Deli. At the 40th Anniversary 1992, the club
recognized its first female members Bobbye Chasey and
Harreyette Jenkins. A club foundation was
established in 1983 and two past presidents, Jeffrey
Asbury (1982-83) and John DeForge (1984-85) both became
Lieutenant Governors.
During the Anna Maria Island Kiwanis
Club's first 50 years, there were 45 past
presidents. In 2002-our 50th anniversary, our
membership included 33 active members, 25 males, and 8
female members, along with 3 honorary members. A
newsletter, monthly at times, has kept members informed
on upcoming events. Today, the club has 39 members, 27
male, 12 female, and 3 honorary and the club is still
growing and going strong!
Ironically, the Anna Maria Island
Kiwanis Club is currently holding its weekly meetings
again at the public beach, at cafe On The Beach on
Saturday mornings at 8:30am, which was the location for
its 50th Anniversary Celebration and installation of
Officers in 2002/2003. During a brief period, while
renovations were being made at Cafe On the Beach from
the storms of 2004, our meetings were held at the Fit To
Eat Deli in Holmes Beach until the repairs were
completed.
In addition to our many established
projects and services our foundation continues to
support our benevolent activities. Some of the
significant programs and projects (with more info
available through our web site) are:
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The Annual Easter Sunrise Service
- an Island tradition for more than 40 years; held
every year at the Holmes Beach Public beach.
Proceeds are shared with participating Island
congregations
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Salvation Army Ring-the-Bell - a
long time club tradition; all club members
participate in ringing the bell as a way to assist
the Salvation Army with raising funds for the needy.
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Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island
Foundation - chartered in 1983 as a non-profit
Corporation, designed to provide a safe means to
invest funds to make disbursements at times to
significant charitable organizations in manatee
County, including some of the following:
Anna Maria Elementary School
Boys
and Girls Scouts
Little
League
Take
Stock in Children Scholarship Program
Kiwanis
International Foundation
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Annual Citrus Sale - it is our
club's prime fund raiser; fruit is purchased by
friends of the club and shipped all over the
country.
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Adopt-a-Grandparent Program -
continuing for more than fourteen years, in
conjunction with the Anna Maria Elementary
School, each school year, students are matched with
Kiwanis club members, who serve as surrogate
grandparents. Together, they meet as a group
monthly during the school year and participate in
planned activities creating a meaningful and
positive experience.
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Big Band Dance - for more than 14
years, during February, each year, a big band
valentine dance is held at the Island Community
center. Most club members participate in the
organization of this activity to generate funds that
are donated back to the Community Center.
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Bugs (Bring Up Grades Program) -
new in 2000, this program is designed to recognize
and reward academic achievement. Certificates
and pins provided by Kiwanis along with ice cream
provided by Cafe on the Beach Restaurant.
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Veterans Education For Today's
Students - a new program in the fall of 2002 on or
before Veteran's and memorial Day. This
program's purpose is to encourage patriotism,
recognize the sacrifices that veterans have made
serving our country and protecting democratic values
worldwide.
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