Recognizing the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs' 100th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today I honor the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs as its members celebrate its 100th anniversary. The occasion will be celebrated with a dinner on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.

On June 9, 1922, prominent businessmen and professionals gathered at the Penn Stroud Hotel to meet with the state Kiwanis Club organizer to discuss chartering a Kiwanis Club in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. On June 19, 1922, the Club was officially chartered with A.R.J. Wallace elected president and the Penn Stroud Hotel chosen as the headquarters for meetings. Charter Night was celebrated on July 20, 1922 by Club members and delegates from Kiwanis Clubs in Scranton, Easton, and other cities. That first year featured a Ladies' Night, five social events, a joint meeting with Rotary and a Rotary-Kiwanis golf match, youth and adult service activities, and projects to support the community.

Committed to the Kiwanis mission of improving the lives of children, the biggest project done by the Club during its first two decades was the Stroudsburg playground. The Club also financially supported a swimming pool and the East Stroudsburg playground, establishing recreational facilities used by hundreds of children in the region. To encourage literacy, the Club purchased the first bookmobile. The Club also supported several adult activities and actively engaged with the community.

Today, the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburg continues to uphold the original mission of its founders to serve children of the world and their own community. A highlight of the year is the annual Pancake Day event to raise money to support their scholarship program. This year, due to the event's great success, the Club awarded 12 scholarships to high school students in Monroe County totaling more than $12,000.

As they look toward their next 100 years, the Club is planning to honor the first projects completed by the Club by enhancing six local parks with accessible playground equipment so children of all needs and abilities can enjoy the outdoors at the community's parks and playgrounds.

I am honored to congratulate the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs for 100 years of giving back to the Monroe County community and supporting our region's youngest citizens. I wish them great success and many fulfilling years to come.

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