Golden K Kiwanis celebrates 30 years of service

Provo, Utah, Daily Herald
http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/305090/17/

OREM -- Their hair is mostly silver-gray or white, if they have hair. Wrinkles carve both face and hands, and nearly all of them wear glasses.

But don't think for one minute that members of the Golden K Kiwanis sit around the Orem Senior Center in rocking chairs, twiddling their thumbs.

"The average age of our club members is 80," said Darrell Weber, president. "But don't be fooled by the age; our members are not lazy or slow moving. We are ranked No. 1 as the most active Kiwanis club in the Utah-Idaho region for clubs in the 30-member range."

This year Orem's Golden K Kiwanis, a community service club for men and women over 55, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Milton DeGering, 95, was one of the original charter members of the Orem unit. He remains active and is still enjoying many of the club's programs and service projects.

"We have a dinner once a month, which I like to attend," said DeGering. He and his wife "have been going to those dinners for years, and we haven't missed unless we were out of town."

DeGering recalls some of the early service projects the Golden K provided. He assisted in building the Snack Shack at the Orem Recreation Center approximately 20 years ago.

While his memory may not be as sharp as it used to be, DeGering remembers one service project that particularly touched him.

"I know we helped the kids," he said. "One Christmas we bought 100 pairs of shoes for children. They do a lot of good."

Club members are constantly involved with projects ranging from planting trees in the city park to reading with first-grade students at Sharon Elementary School.

During the summer months, these hardy retirees run several shifts at the Snack Shack, clean the walkway along the Provo River near the Provo airport area, and help with the Food and Care Coalition and the Utah County Fair. Each June they make their own dough and sell scones and honey butter at the Orem city's Summerfest.

Money collected from fundraising events go directly to their special projects for children, including providing more than $2,000 in winter coats each year to needy children in area schools.

Golden K Kiwanis is a place where many of the members find fulfillment in their retirement years. However, you don't need to be retired to join. In fact, the group is seeking younger members to keep the club and its projects alive.

"It keeps us busy," said George Vandewater. "And it keeps us out of trouble." Vandewater, 74, serves on the public relations committee and produces the group's newsletter.

"Kiwanis is a place to serve. We are now retirees, and we have to keep moving," Richard Hodson said. Hodson, 73, is a former club president and district governor. He and his wife, Connie, have been with Golden K Kiwanis for 10 years. Connie Hodson, one of two women currently active in the club, is the president-elect and will take the office in October.

When asked what Golden K does for them, there is little hesitation in members' response. Most of them echo the sentiments expressed by LeRoy Heaton.

"I just enjoy being around good men and women, and it keeps me busy," said Heaton, 84.

"There are so many people out there that should be in Kiwanis. They can continue to be productive and get doing something with their lives."

The Golden K Kiwanis meet every Monday at 10 a.m. at the Orem Senior Center, 95 N. 400 East, in Orem. Call (801) 225-4372 for more information.