The Kiwanis Club of Lima, Ohio was officially organized on August 20, 1919, after application was made by 100 persons to the Chicago club in accordance with the procedures at that time. The charter was officially granted on January 14, 1920. The Lima Club was the 16th club to be organized in Ohio and the 156th in all of Kiwanis. The first president was Frances W. Durbin. Walter Jackson was the onl
y member of the Lima Kiwanis Club who served as a District Governor. His term was in 1923. Robert Day served as District Treasurer during 2018-2019. Paul Brown is the only member of the Lima Kiwanis Club to be named to the Ohio District Kiwanis Hall of Fame, which was in 2011. While the Lima Kiwanis club was active in the community from the time it was organized its first major project was the Fresh Air Camp in 1925. This involved the purchase of land near Route 81 and old Route 25 and the construction of buildings on the site which served under privileged youth. The costs were assessed annually to the members. Unfortunately, the Great Depression resulted in the members not being able to support the camp so it was closed in 1932 and the land was sold. The proceeds of the sale were deposited to be held for future endeavors. In 1947 the Kiwanis Club of Lima, Ohio purchased a tract of land on Robb Avenue which was donated to the Girl Scouts for a camp. Over the next few years two other parcels were purchased which compromise most of the land presently occupied by Camp Woodhaven. Additional funds have been expended over the years for various improvements to the site. The Kiwanis Club of Lima, Ohio, has been very active over the years with respect to new club building. Among the clubs sponsored that are presently in existence in Ohio District Division 2 include Ada, Coldwater, Delphos, and St. Marys. The Celina club was originally sponsored by the Lima club. However, it disbanded prior to being recharted in 2001. Clubs sponsored which are not in Lima's division include Cary, Ottawa, and Sidney. Clubs sponsored which are no longer active include Bluffton, Dunkirk, Kenton, Metropolitan Kiwanis Club of Lima, Wapakoneta, and West Side Kiwanis of Lima. In addition, the Kiwanis Club of Lima. Ohio, has sponsored several Service Leadership Program clubs including the Aktion Club of Allen County, Ohio; The Oho State University-Lima Circle-Circle K; the Key Club of Lima Senior, Builders Clubs of North and West Middle Schools; Builders Clubs of South and Liberty Magnets; in Lima; and the Kiwanis Kids Clubs at Independence, Heritage, Unity, and Freedom Elementary Schools. Two points of interest concerning the finances of the club; the first was that in 1933 the club lost all of its money, $530.00, as its depository bank failed during the Great Depression. It is also interesting to note that during WWII the club did its part by purchasing War Bonds which in 1945 aggregated $3,000 (face value). Music has always been an important part of the club. For example, at times it has had an orchestra or band over the years with the first in 1920. In addition, the John Phillip Sousa National Band award was first sponsored in 1961 by the Metropolitan Kiwanis Club of Lima and was assumed by the Kiwanis Club of Lima, Ohio in 1980 after the Metropolitan club disbanded. This award is granted to a senior in every school in Allen County, Ohio, selected by a vote of his/her peers. Finally, in 1987 the Kiwanis Club of Lima, Ohio, established the Ronald W. Richards Young Musicians Scholarship Fund in the memory of Mr. Richards after he passed away in 1986. He was the Music Director at Lima Senior High School for 25 years. In addition, the was the choral director at Trinity United Methodist Church for 30 years. The club grants at least one scholarship annually. Any senior in the County, including homeschooled, is eligible to apply. The club also sponsors the James A. MacDonell Arbor Memorial which is in memory of Mr. MacDonell who provided tree saplings to each first-grade student in Lima. The trees originally came from land that he owned. After his passing in 1991 the club assumed the project and expanded it to include every first grader in Allen County, Ohio. Over the years approximately 40,000 trees have been donated. In 1990 Kiwanis International established its theme, Young Children Priority One. This has been fully embraced by the Kiwanis Club of Lima as most of its endeavors are involved in providing service and support for the young up to and including five years of age. This does not mean however that other age groups are ignored as we strive to provide meaningful support for persons of all ages. For example, in 2009 the club provided approximately 400 bike helmets through several community organizations. Funds for this program were derived from club monies, a grant from the Ohio District Foundation, and the Wal-Mart Foundation. The Kiwanis Club of Lima, Ohio, also has supported Kiwanis International projects including the thrust in 1994 to eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) which cause development disabilities because of the lack of iodine in the body. A teaspoon of salt over a lifetime will prevent the deficiency. The club was asked to pledge $15,000 over four years which it met. Overall Kiwanis International raised over $75,000,000 and has partnered with UNICEF to eradicate most of the problem throughout the world. In addition, the club supported the Eliminate Project whose goal was to eliminate Maternal Neonatal Tetanus (MNT), primarily is lesser developed countries, primarily in Africa and parts of Asia. During the campaign, which concluded in 2020, we raised $33,000 for lifesaving vaccines, health education, safe birth environments and more — all for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations. Worldwide $110,000,000. Millions of women can now give birth without fear of their babies dying from this horrible disease. In fact, MNT has been eliminated from 27 countries with the help of Kiwanis International. There are 12 countries remaining. Finally, during 2018-2020 the club donated $16.000 towards two All-Abilities projects at Camp Robin Rogers and Marimor School. The Marimor Legacy Foundation was the lead in this endeavor.
