Kiwanis Club of Omaha Westside

Those who bought tickets to the Iredell County Agricultural Fair last September did more than pay admission to see exhibits and take a turn on a few carnival rides. A portion of those proceeds helped 11 local agencies. On Tuesday night, the Kiwanis Club of Statesville handed out checks to organizations ranging from Iredell Emergency Medical Services to Iredell Christian Ministries. The organizations that received money include: Iredell EMS; Iredell 4-H; Iredell County Color Me Healthy; Iredell County Firefighters Association; Elder Center; Fifth Street Ministries; Yokefellow; Children’s Homes of Iredell County; Iredell Christian Ministries; Troutman Recreation Park and the South Yadkin Baptist Association. Jim Head, manager of the Iredell Fair, said the attendance at the 2010 event was up from previous years. “This was one of our better fairs,” he said. He presented two of the checks. “These two gifts are to organizations that help us out at the fair more than anybody else,” he said. Head presented checks to Nelson McCaskill, 4-H coordinator for the Cooperative Extension Service and Ann Simmons, who heads the Color Me Healthy program for the Cooperative Extension Service. Simmons explained that Color Me Healthy is a program to encourage physical activity and good nutrition for young children. McCaskill said the 4-H program is aimed at encouraging community involvement among young people. Both expressed appreciation to the Kiwanis for the support. Mary Jane Hoover accepted the check on behalf of the South Yadkin Baptist Association. Head said this group provides support to the fair by feeding fair workers two meals a day during the week-long run. “This is a little token of our appreciation,” he said. Hoover said her group, which represents more than 70 Baptist churches in the area, is thrilled to be a part of the fair. “Fair week is my favorite week of the whole year,” she said. “It is a pleasure to be able to offer this for them.” Chuck Gallyon, a new member of the Kiwanis Club and a long-time member of the Iredell County fire service, presented the checks to the firefighter’s association and Iredell EMS. EMS sends a crew to stand by at the fair in the event of an emergency as does the fire service. Steve Mauney, deputy director of Iredell EMS, thanked the Kiwanis for the contribution. “This is great,” he said. “This is what we do. We take care of our community.” Tim Warren, president of the firefighter’s association, accepted the check. He said this check will go toward the association’s effort to fight a new enemy — cancer. “Cancer is the No. 1 killer of women. Cancer is the No. 1 killer of firefighters,” he said. “This will be put to good use.” Bob Dellinger, chairman of the Kiwanis annual giving program, said he was appreciative of the efforts of both EMS and the fire service. “I’ve had to call on the services of EMS before. Thankfully, I haven’t needed the fire service. I wish you wouldn’t have to work as hard as you do,” he said. The remaining checks were given to organizations working to help those in the community. Neil Furr, director of Yokefellow, said the monies will help his organization, which has seen a 70 percent increase in the number of clients seeking help with food, utility bills and other assistance. “This will really come in handy,” he said. Patti West, director of Fifth Street Ministries, echoed Furr’s comments. She said the ministry, which includes a shelter for the homeless, has seen a rapid rise in the need for services. “The face of homelessness has changed,” she said. “We are sheltering people who never thought they’d be homeless.” David Comer of Iredell Christian Ministries said all of these organizations do more than just help those in need. “All of these services make this community a safer place to live,” he said. “I want to thank you on behalf of all these organizations.” Kiwanis president Joe Stephens said the Kiwanis Club, which is celebrating its 90th year of existence, is proud to put on such events as the Iredell County Fair, especially since the number of active members has declined to around two dozen from more than 100 several years ago. “We are pleased to be a part of an organization that is able to do what we do,” he said.

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