Kiwanis Club of Abingdon

02/24/2025

Save the date for this Friday as we wish Lee the best in his future endeavors!

02/03/2025

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mike Robinson, Director of the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School, as our guest speaker at tomorrow’s luncheon.

Dr. Robinson has dedicated his career to public education, serving in various leadership roles, including Superintendent of Smyth County Schools, principal, assistant principal, and math teacher. For the past nine years, he has led the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School, Virginia’s first virtual Governor’s School, providing unique learning opportunities for students in Southwest Virginia.

He will share insights on how Governor’s Schools enhance education for motivated high school students, as well as his experiences advocating for children and public education through numerous civic and regional organizations.

Join us for an engaging discussion and the opportunity to learn more about how this program is shaping the future of education in our region!

01/14/2025

We are thrilled to announce that tomorrow's luncheon will feature Sonia Vanhook from the SWVA Higher Education Center.

Sonia Vanhook has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education, her Master's Degree in Business Administration, and a Master of Science Degree in Business and Industry Training. Ms. Vanhook is employed at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon where she is the Director of Educational Outreach. Sonia oversees and teaches in educational programs that serve students from Kindergarten to the Center’s College for Older Adults Program, specializing in technology classes. She is a charter member of the Wolf Hills Toastmasters Club where she has served as an officer since 2017.

Sonia and her husband are permanent residents of Southwest Virginia, where they raised 3 children. They are continually looking for ways to make this area a better place to live.

01/09/2025

12/04/2024

11/04/2024

We are looking forward to tomorrow’s luncheon, where our guest speaker will be Thomas J. Pojeta (Tom). Here’s a bit more about him:

Tom was born on March 21, 1940, in Chicago, IL, and raised on a farm in Cassopolis, MI. As the oldest of nine children, his love for woodworking began with making Christmas and birthday gifts for his siblings.

In 1962, he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University and started working on the Mercury and Gemini space programs. Over the years, Tom earned multiple advanced degrees, including a Masters in Electrical Engineering, a Masters in Resource and Program Management, a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA. After 50 years as an engineer, he retired as the Deputy Director of Systems Engineering for the Star Wars Missile Defense program.

Following his retirement, Tom faced the loss of his wife Zita, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage. Seeking a new hobby, he took woodworking classes and joined the Tri-Cities Woodturner’s Club in Gray, TN. He has participated as a vendor in several art and craft shows over the past few years. In 2019, Tom remarried Cindy Edwards, whom he met in a grief support group. Together, they enjoy life on South Holston Lake, where they love boating and traveling.

11/02/2024

🌟 Today’s the Day! Join Us for the 4th Annual Fall into Christmas Craft Fair! 🌟

Come out and experience the holiday magic with 60+ amazing vendors offering unique crafts, handmade gifts, boutique items, delicious treats, and so much more! 🎁✨

🗓 Date: Today!
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
📍 Location: SWVA Higher Education Center

Don’t miss out on this perfect opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping, support local artisans, and enjoy a festive day with the community. We can’t wait to see you there!

10/21/2024

10/09/2024

Registration is OPEN!! Please review all the details on our website at: https://abingdonkiwanis.org/christmas-parade

We will be closing registration by Saturday, November 23, 2024 or if all spaces fill up before that date. Don’t wait to register for the biggest event of the year!

The 57th Annual Abingdon Christmas Parade organized by the Kiwanis Club for the Town of Abingdon and sponsored by Bart Long & Associates Realty and Auction, LLC.

10/07/2024

We are excited to welcome Aimee Haslam, Youth Services Coordinator for Washington County Public Library, as our speaker for tomorrow’s meeting. Aimee brings over 20 years of experience in education, including 14 years at E.B. Stanley Middle School. She holds an M.S. in Education from Old Dominion University, a certification in library media, and is currently pursuing an M.L.I.S. from Valdosta State University. Aimee resides in Bristol with her husband, two daughters, and their energetic rescue dog, Winston.

We look forward to hearing from Aimee about her work and how the library is supporting youth in our community.

09/16/2024

We are excited to announce our guest speaker for Tuesday’s luncheon, Katie, a native of Abingdon, VA, who currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Education + Emerging Workforce at EO. EO is a local non-profit that recently branched off from the United Way of Southwest Virginia.

Katie’s main project is Career Commons, a groundbreaking initiative that builds on EO's past Career Expo, formerly a two-day event at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Career Commons is now a permanent, year-round facility where school districts can bring students to explore career opportunities in a more personalized, one-on-one setting. The goal is for students to engage in career simulation labs that showcase the possibilities available in Southwest Virginia.

Katie graduated in May 2023 from Emory & Henry College with a B.A. in Media & Communications and a B.F.A. in Theater, as well as a minor in English. During her time in school, she took on leadership roles and worked as an Editor for the campus newspaper. She began her career as a Research Intern with United Way of Southwest Virginia and continued with the organization as it transitioned into EO. Additionally, she gained valuable experience as a Marketing Intern at Barter Theatre.

Join us on Tuesday to learn more about Katie's inspiring work and her contributions to building a strong future for our community!

09/09/2024

We are excited to welcome Ernest Hamilton as our speaker for tomorrow’s luncheon! Ernest is the author of *Overcoming Challenge: The Tar-Billy Way* and has an extensive career as a Transportation Manager.

Ernest’s roots in the trucking industry run deep—growing up in a family of drivers and owner-operators. After high school, he followed in their footsteps, logging approximately a million miles of safe driving. His journey then led him to transition into management, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Campbell University.

With over 20 years of experience as a transportation manager, Ernest now focuses on giving back to his community by raising safety awareness on our highways. In his presentation, he will share national and local crash statistics, highlight new vehicle technologies, and provide valuable driving tips to help us all stay safe on the road.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from someone passionate about making our highways safer!