The Kiwanis Club of Hampstead celebrated 20 years of impacting the community. On March 31, the Kiwanis Club gathered at Kiwanis Park on Sloop Point Loop Road to commemorate 20 years of community service as well as with two ribbon cutting ceremonies.
The first ribbon cutting ceremony was the official opening of the special needs playground. Built with reinvestment dollars from Trillium Health Resources and Pender County, the accessible playground is designed for children with disabilities.
According to Trillium, the new playground includes a Liberty swing, glider, quad-seater see-saw, jungle climber with adaptive seating and entranceway, and a rocking boat.
The second ribbon cutting celebrated the development of the Disc Golf course.
“This is a sport that can be played by all ages,” said Ron Shirley, the Kiwanis Club member overseeing the project.
Joining Shirley and the Kiwanis Club was the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting.
“I’m receiving inquiries already about the Disc Golf course,” said Chuck Strickland, director of the Topsail Chamber.
“This is an opportunity to bring disc golf clubs to Pender County and host tournaments,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County tourism director.
The Disc Golf course will open the Kiwanis Park to future disc golf competitions and leagues.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Hampstead, club members gathered for a spring plant sale, a benefit walk, and a disc golf exhibition.
The April 1 event celebrated 20 years of community projects and community involvement, including Hampstead Kiwanis Park, establishment of Kamp Kiwanis camping, disc golf, annual maintenance and beautification projects at the park, and operating the concessions during local youth sporting events. Kiwanis Club of Hampstead also sponsors an annual Easter egg hunt, Trick-in-The-Park Halloween events, and the Annual Turkey Trot at the Park. Within the schools, Kiwanis Club of Hampstead sponsors Key Clubs and K-Kids Clubs, scholarships, Cottages in Lake Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home, donations of school supplies, and many additional projects for children.
The Kiwanis Club of Hampstead hosts an annual Wine and Dine Fundraiser, Pre-Race Turkey Trot Pasta Dinner, and collaborates with the Hampstead Women’s Club to host the Community Souper Supper.
According the Hampstead membership, on average each Kiwanian worldwide improves the lives of 207 children each year.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
The Kiwanis Club of Hampstead meets every Thursday morning, 7:40 a.m., at Sawmill Grill on US Hwy. 17. For information about the club visit their Facebook page or the website at www.kiwanisclubofhampstead.org.
