For many years, fundraising efforts of the Kiwanis Club of Courtenay have helped to house seniors and to provide student bursaries, among other community initiatives. But the service club needs some new blood if it is to have a future.
“Membership needs to go up,” said Norman Leung, a club member for 47 years. “It’s important to keep the village going.”
Kiwanis Village, located at Pidcock Avenue in Courtenay, houses 64 seniors in low-rent units. The club supports the village by raising money at four yearly Junktique sales — which are difficult to maintain, considering membership has dropped to about 24 dedicated souls.
“We need more people,” said Leung, noting the club had about 50 members when he joined.
Kiwanis also provides yearly bursaries to students at three local high schools and at North Island College.
“They (students) really appreciate it,” Leung said.
The club also uses funds to provide school supplies to hundreds of elementary students.
“We spend $9,000 on that,” Leung said.
Kiwanis also raises funds for the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, and supports the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada. In September, the club manages Operation High Jump for individuals with special needs. It also assists the Salvation Army, Glacier View Lodge and the Comox Valley Exhibition, and manages the Downton Abbey Tea at Anderton Gardens.
“We help a lot of small organizations,” Leung said.
If interested in becoming a member, the Courtenay club meets each Thursday, 7 p.m., at Kiwanis Village at 635 Piddock Ave. Weekly meetings often include a program of interest. At the July 20 meeting, for instance, an officer from HMCS Quadra discussed sea cadet training at Goose Spit.
www.kiwanisclubofcourtenaybc.com