LaBelle Kiwanis History
The Kiwanis Club of Labelle was chartered on August 15th, 1979.Here's a little story about how the Thrift Store got started:
"LOGS" DOLLARS IN KIWANIS SERVICE
Writer Royce Hilliard, 1993 ©The LaBelle Kiwanis Club is continuing to make history in "Brown Tiger's" historic sawmill on the busiest street in town. The U.S. flag proudly flies 24 hours a day atop the long, narrow building on Bridge Street as loaded trucks and cars zip by.
It wasn't that way when "Brown Tiger" had his sawmill on the site. This pioneer businessman would be proud of the thrift shop because, like the members of the Kiwanis Club, he was a dedicated worker. It wasn't that way when "Brown Tiger" had his sawmill on the site. A barber...who wasn't a barber...gave him the name that is now part of the history of LaBelle. ... More
Kiwanis History
The first clubs were organized to promote the exchange of business among the members. However, the members were distributing Christmas baskets to the poor. A lively debate ensued between those who supported community service as the Kiwanis mission and those who supported the exchange of business. By 1919, the service advocates won the debate.
- Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan, on January 21, 1915.
- In the early years, Kiwanis clubs focused on business networking, but even then, members were serving the needs of the poor.
- By 1919, the organization had changed its focus from business to service.
- Kiwanis became an international organization in 1916 with the organization of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario.
- Kiwanis limited its membership to the United States and Canada until 1962 when worldwide expansion was approved.
- Until 1987, Kiwanis was a male-only organization. But after years of debate and growing support, women's membership was received overwhelmingly.
- Kiwanis celebrated 100 years in 2015.