SCOTT CITY KIWANIS CLUB CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

SCOTT CITY -- For half a century, the Scott City Kiwanis Club has dedicated itself to quiet service to the community.

The club, formed in January 1949, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a dinner today at 6:30 p.m. at Henson's Cafe in Scott City.

Dignitaries from Kiwanis clubs throughout the district will be present, and four charter members will be honored, Ollie Amick, Paul Davidson, A.W. Wright and Irvin Wheeler.

The club was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club in Cape Girardeau.

In its 50 years, the club has changed its name three times. First it was the Tri-Cities Kiwanis Club, serving Illmo, Fornfelt and Ancell. As the Scott County communities merged, the club became the Illmo-Scott City club, and finally the Scott City Kiwanis Club.

George Pendergrass, chairman of the 50th anniversary celebration, said the club has survived ups and downs over the years with its dedication to community service.

The club annually presents a scholarship to a high school student.

For many years, it operated the Boy Scout House in Scott City, paying rent and expenses of the facility and providing a meeting place for Scouts.

The club has participated with Boys State and the Scott City swim team and bicycle safety week. They helped provide equipment for Scott City firefighters and bulletproof vests for the police department.

The club has sponsored lots of fish fries, chili suppers and hamburger stands to raise money.

But Pendergrass said much of the work of the club has been quiet and personal.

"We have an arrangement with the school nurses," he said. "If they know of a child in need, they call us and we'll help."

They have provided Christmas baskets.

"If a person's house burns down, we're there with help," he said. "If someone needs groceries, we're there. We don't seek any publicity or recognition for these kinds of things. We just do it. That's the kind of club we have."