Gratitude: The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke Valley

Editr talks about his favorite topic: Himself.

Today, I am grateful for:

The Kiwanis Club of the Roanoke Valley. I spoke to the Kiwanians at the Patrick Henry Hotel at noon today, talking about being in journalism for half a century, among other things.

The Kiwanis Club is service organization of the type that makes communities run. This one serves young people and the elderly, providing "sweat equity to over 25 charitable organizations," according to its website. That means they show up, in person.

Time was that these types of organizations--all men for a long time--provided what politicians  call the "safety net" for the poor and elderly. The government has taken much of that role from service clubs and churches and those organizations, which are now inclusive of genders and races, have taken on other roles, mostly professional networking.

Editr looks like a union rabble rouser in this shot.

Kiwanis is one that stands by its original founding premise of serving the community and for that, we should all be grateful.

It is important when people in the community take the time and give the effort to take care of their own, because they can do it with real involvement--not just handing over a check from a faceless mail system.

These club members get involved in people's lives, help steer children and make older people feel like their race has not yet been run.

I appreciate them and I hope you do, too.

(Photos by Rupter Cutler.)