Serving Texarkana Since 1923

In October 1923, one of the most civic-minded groups in Texarkana, the Kiwanis Club of Texarkana, was organized with fifty-three charter members. The Club received its charter from Kiwanis International in December 1923.

The first officers were Robert P. Dorough, President; L.D. Gilbert, Vice President; V.A. Ghio, Treasurer; H.T. Wiegel, Secretary; and Will Steel, District Trustee. Directors were Frank Dodge, Horace Endsley, J.M. McGregor, Andrew Rose, R.W. Rodgers, Jr., R.E. Floyd, and E.B. Mitchell. Almost immediately following the completion of its organization, the Kiwanis Club initiated a street paving program.

Some of the Kiwanians' activities over the first twenty years of its service to Texarkana included: the White Way (street lights) on Broad Street, 1925; establishment of the Curb Market, 1926; and assistance in establishment of Texarkana College and the Municipal Airport, 1927.

The Club also helped organize other Kiwanis clubs, 1928; assisted in securing a site for the Post Office, 1929; aided in securing shelter for transients, 1930; conducted city clean-up drives, 1932; initiated a mosquito control campaign, 1933; introduced a vocational guidance program, 1935; constructed Kamp Kiwanis, 1936; opened a nursery and playground for children, 1937; instituted Church Loyalty Day, 1938; concentrated on programs for under-privileged children, 1938-39; began Easter Sunrise Services at Camp Preston Hunt (the Boy Scout camp near Texarkana), 1939; established a shoe fund for under-privileged school children, 1940; and initiated additional programs for underprivileged children, 1941.

Over the next fifty years of service the Kiwanis Club was involved with and supported Junior Achievement, both St. Michael Hospital and Wadley Hospital, a Base 2 monitor and equipment for a mobile coronary care unit (Emergency Medical Services), United Blood Services, Hospice of Texarkana, community blood pressure checking, wheel chairs for the aged, crime prevention, Goodfellows (Christmas food baskets), shoes for needy school children, and scholarships at Texarkana College.

During the past few years of service to Texarkana the Kiwanis Club has supported, with volunteer time and financial resources, approximately forty non-profit organizations involved in providing services to the citizens and youth in the twin cities.

Some of these organizations include: K.I.D.S.(Kids Improving Diabetes Safely), Boy Scout Troop 86, Boy Scout Troop 3, Girl Scout Troop 117, Texarkana Baptist Orphanage, Arkansas High Key Club, Texas High Key Club, Liberty Eylau Key Club, Kiwanis Young Children Emergency Fund (Our Children First Coalition), Temple Memorial Rehabilitation Center, Northeast Texas MHMR Center, Texarkana Resources for the Disabled, Texarkana Baptist Orphanage, Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties, Fairview Elementary School, B.O.N.D., Hospice of Texarkana, Domestic Violence Prevention Center, YWCA, Junior Achievement and Runnin' WJ Therapeutic Center.

The Club has recently started a new major project entitled Reach Out and Read which makes early literacy a part of pediatric primary care. Kiwanians volunteer their time to read to pediatric patients in the waiting rooms as they wait for their appointments, showing parents and children the pleasures of reading together. The doctors are involved by instructing the parents on the importance of literacy and the time spent with a child while reading. The Kiwanis Club will provide appropriate books for children aged six months to five years to keep and enjoy.

Your contribution to the Kiwanis Club of Texarkana Foundation is tax deductible. The Kiwanis Club of Texarkana has established a foundation that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making your contribution to support our long list of service projects tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. Check with your tax advisor.