| 1972 - 1973 The Club sponsors the Thomas Dale High School Key and Keyette Clubs 1973 - 1974 1974 - 1975 1975 - 1976 1976 - 1977 1977 - 1978 1978 - 1979 1979 - 1980 1980 - 1981 1981 - 1982 1982 - 1983 1983 - 1984 1984 - 1985 1985 - 1986 1986 - 1987 1987 - 1988 1988 - 1989 1989 - 1990 1990 - 1991 1991 - 1992 1992 - 1993 1993 - 1994 1994 - 1995 1995 - 1996 1996 - 1997 1997 - 1998 1998 - 1999 1999 - 2000 2000 - 2001 2001 - 2002 The Annual Christmas Parade continues to be an important tradition, which helps to build and maintain our sense of community and to preserve the area’s small town character The Kiwanis Club of Chester has organized the event since 1997 The parade had previously been organized by a local Jaycees club which disbanded in the mid 1990’s.. Club secretary and charter member Joe Hillier and committee chairman David Duncan talked with the local police to change the parade route Chairman Dave filed the required permits, mailed entry forms, processed applications and entry fees from local businesses, individuals and groups, maintained a database of all participants and other contacts Kiwanian Rick Dodson provided valuable assistance with follow-up phone calls Club President Steve Miles, acted as liaison to the Virginia Department of Transportation which was responsible for detouring traffic during the parade Steve and Chairman Dave prepared a parade map and parade lineup Nicole Jordan, the club’s vice president, designed and built a Kiwanis theme float for the parade Assisting Nicole were Kiwanians Bob Cassada and Rick Dodson, and local Brownie Scouts. Marshall Henry, our Sponsored Youth chairman, secured volunteers from the Thomas Dale Key Club and Keyettes to march in the parade and carry the Kiwanis Family Banners 55-year member Cliff Schorer drove his model T Ford at the head of the parade A local Aktion Club was among the lead units in the parade Kiwanian Dave Lawton announced the units as they passed the judging stand Kiwanian David Lykins served on a panel of three judges filled by local elected leaders All club members were encouraged to assist with various duties on parade day. The event was promoted in local newspapers, radio and on public access TV Banners were displayed and flyers were posted at local businesses and schools All promotional costs, as well as permit fees, printing and mailing expenses were paid for out of parade entry fees. The 2001 Kiwanis Chester Christmas Parade was by all accounts the biggest and best ever for this small but growing community Thousands of children, teens and families lined the sidewalks on the main street through town for the 17-mile parade route Hundreds marched or rode on floats representing scout troops, athletic associations and church and civic groups The parade comprised sixty-three units These included: over two dozen horses marched, trotted or galloped by in five group, antique cars, fire engines, classic muscle cars, marching bands, carolers and musical floats. Many units were very professionally prepared, other units merely paid their entry fee and showed up to march in their Sunday best or Scout uniforms, helping to maintain the “small town” atmosphere. In honor of the heroes of 9/11, we invited a local police officer and fire lieutenant to be Grand Marshals for the Day Many of the floats reflected patriotic themes and red, white and blue were evident all around A fire truck drove as the final unit in the parade, with every child’s favorite elf as its passenger. The event was an unqualified success for our club both in service to the community and exposure for Kiwanis The event paid for itself and added $700 to our club’s community service account This money was returned to the community in the form of a charitable contribution selected by our board of directors. Eighty-five percent of the Chester Kiwanis Club participated, contributing an estimated 500 service hours in preparation and on parade day Our sponsored youth logged over 120 service hours and the Aktion Club of James River (sponsored by a neighboring Kiwanis Club) participated for another 40 hours of service. While no formal crowd estimates are available, It would be conservative to say that over 5000 people attended the event The entire community, however, will benefit from the sense of community pride and togetherness engendered by this tradition, and from the excitement of every single child who got a glimpse of Santa and a warm feeling about Christmas right here in Chester. Year End 72 Projects Completed, 1138Service Hours, $865 Spent, 21 Interclubs 2002 - 2003 Our project monies go to Bensley Bermuda Rescue Squad, YMCA of Chester, Christmas Mother - Colonial Heights/Chester, scholorships at LC Bird High School, Thomas Dale High School and John Tyler Community College, YMCA's Bright Beginnings Program, Terrific Kids Program in four local elementary schools and helped start The Chester Forum for which we also provided manpower Monies come from fundraisers such as the Chester Spring Fling, working the Bizarre Bazaar, Chester Kiwanis Christmas Parade, historical ornament sales and historical prints. Year End 82 Projects Completed, 672 Service Hours, $1257 Spent, 31 Interclubs 2003 - 2004 Year End 53 Projects Completed, 937 Service Hours, $20,318 Spent, 24 Interclubs 2004 - 2005 Contributed $1,000 to Tsunami Relief Effort Year End 46 Projects Completed, 1500 Service Hours, $21,282 Spent, 56 Interclubs 2005 - 2006 Year End 37 Projects Completed, 1703 Service Hours, $11,246 Spent, 40 Interclubs 2006 - 2007 Year End 32 Projects Completed, 1074 Service Hours, $29,810 Spent, 31 Interclubs 2007 - 2008 Year End 12 Projects Completed, 116 Service Hours, $0 Spent, 4 Interclubs 2008 - 2009 Year End 112 Projects Completed, 1137 Service Hours, $13,031 Spent, 20 Interclubs $200 CD Foundation 2009 - 2010 Year End 26 Projects Completed, 526 Service Hours, $7,268 Spent, 21 Interclubs $200 CD Foundation 2010 - 2011 Year End 38 Projects Completed, 198 Service Hours, $5201 Spent, 11 Interclubs $200 CD Foundation 2011 - 2012 2012 - 2013 2013 - 2014 2014 - 2015 2015 - 2016 2016 - 2017 2017 - 2018 2018 - 2019 2019 - 2020 2020 - 2021 Capital Kiwanian Feb/March 2021: Kiwanis Club of Chester has a current fundraising project. The "Have No Fear 2021 is Here" Virtual 5K began on New Year's Day and will continue to February 28. Signup is $20 for adults and $15 for children 17 and under. A t-shirt is provided to each participant. Anyone can participate and walk or run at their own pace - funds raised will benefit the club's programs. |