June 22 – Buy a brick and help pave the way for children to play. For a modest contribution, individuals, families, businesses and organizations can leave their mark in our parks by purchasing commemorative bricks with their names, dedications or meaningful messages engraved on these personalized bricks. Whether it’s a heartfelt tribute to a loved one, a celebration of cherished memories, or a show of corporate solidarity, each brick serves as a testament to the collective investment in the well-being of future generations. Our community can thank the City of Waynesville, which is the primary funder of Waynesville Parks and Recreation, said Eva Hansen, Chair of the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and Kiwanis member. Although more than 70% of users of this park system reside outside city limits, Haywood County has not provided financial support since 2008. Small bricks measuring 4 x 8 inches, accommodating up to three lines of text, are available for a donation of $55, while larger 8 x 8 inch bricks, which offer space for up to five lines of text, can be purchased for $100. For those who want to showcase their corporate identity, the option to embed the company logo into the surface Brick is available for an additional $10 per logo. Those interested in purchasing a brick can visit the fundraising page at to select your preferred brick size, personalize your application, and make your donation securely online.
Want to attend the open house? The Kiwanis Club of Waynesville invites all interested parties to attend its next open house event from 5-6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 25, at First Presbyterian Church. This meeting represents an opportunity to gain information about the club’s various projects and its dedicated service to improving the lives of children in the community. Whether it’s the Kiwanis playground in Waynesville or the patriotic flags on Main Street, Kiwanis projects benefit many people in the city.
In an attempt to improve recreational opportunities and enrich the lives of youth and adults in the community, the Kiwanis Club of Waynesville has joined forces with Waynesville Parks & Recreation to lead a fundraiser for the brick path.
People will have the chance to leave their mark on the park in Waynesville by purchasing a brick with inscriptions for a new path and help the club breathe new life into the parks and recreational facilities.
“We are grateful for our long-standing and successful partnership with Waynesville Parks and their immediate willingness to work together again,” said Kiwanis President Linda Chambers.
The brick path will be located on the current gravel walkway connecting All-Abilities Playground and Kiwanis Playground and will then continue along the greenway.
The group intends to use the remaining brick funds to replace the 22-year-old wooden tower structure at Kiwanis Playground, a significant upgrade that promises fewer splinters and a better overall play experience for children and families who frequent the area.
“This fundraiser is just one of many strategies our park volunteers and staff are exploring,” said Luke Kinsland, director of Waynesville Parks & Rec. “Budgets are very tight and significant funds are needed just to maintain our park system. We really want to update, improve and expand.”
This project follows the successful efforts that allowed for the creation of the All Abilities Playground and an upgrade with new equipment to the Kiwanis playground. These playgrounds are adjacent to each other in the Recreation Park at 128 W Marshall Street in Waynesville.
The club also spearheaded the Canton All-Abilities Playground, which is nearing completion.
Part of a larger mission
However, the importance of these projects goes far beyond the mere installation of new equipment. It represents the club’s overall mission to foster a vibrant, inclusive environment where children and adults of all abilities can thrive and create lasting memories.
“‘One child and one community at a time’ is part of our motto,” Chambers said. “We mainly do the playgrounds, but we do all kinds of projects in the community for the betterment of children.”
The Kiwanis Club of Waynesville has been around for 73 years, improving the lives of the community’s youth through grants, scholarships and annual events like the annual Kiwanis Spelling Bee. Over the years, the club has donated more than $2 million to support children.
“If someone asks, ‘Why do you do that or what is it about?’ I always told people, ‘I was a kid and now we’re helping,'” Chambers said. “We came from a very poor background. My mother raised six children alone a long time ago. Even though we didn’t have much, we were still taught to give back.”
The club partners with other community organizations such as the Downtown Waynesville Commission for the Waynesville Christmas Parade and Stars & Stripes Patriotic Kids Parade, and the Waynesville Parks and Rec Center for the annual Spring Fling event, when the recreation center opens its doors for a day of fun, free of charge.
“We volunteer on a lot of community projects. Folkmoot calls on us to help them, and the same thing with Parks and Rec. It’s a very tight-knit community and we all come together,” Kiwanis board member Eva Hansen said. “We are small but tremendously powerful.”
The group gives back through its scholarship opportunity and Scott Fund Grants, which provide funds for educational and recreational uses benefiting Haywood County children ages 13 and under, with grants generally in the range of $10,000 to U.S. $20,000.
On Tuesday, they will announce the recipients of the Lauranne Humphreys Scholarship, which is awarded to four high school students entering higher education in the STEM field. The scholarship was created to honor the legacy of former Kiwanis member Lauranne Humphreys, who died in 2018.
Hansen said the scholarship luncheon is always a big “Kiwanis Moment,” a term used by the group to describe moments that strike a chord.
“Seeing the benefits of our fundraising efforts make a difference for these young people and their future,” said Hansen.
Flags and dictionaries
Chambers said one of his favorite Kiwanis moments is flying the American flags when 135 of them travel through the city for patriotic holidays.
For fellow board member Ann Kline, the dictionaries the club provides to third graders in community schools constitute one of her favorite moments.
“We go into schools and talk to kids face to face, and I like that,” Kline said.
Club members are retired teachers, military personnel and others who want to make a change in their community.
Board member Marilyn Friedkin’s husband had been a member for 50 years, and although she joined after he died, she “always felt like she was a Kiwanian” from the time he was at the club, she said.
“Many people realize that if we don’t take care of children today, tomorrow they will be a problem that we will have to solve in a different way,” Chambers said.
Similar to Hansen, who was previously a member of Kiwanis in Fayetteville, Chambers was a member of Kiwanis in Florida for more than 25 years before joining the Waynesville chapter.
“You walk in and it’s like your family extends into another area,” Chambers said.
New members are welcome
An upcoming membership campaign will be held on Tuesday, June 25th, where tables will be set up with information about projects and fundraising that the club undertakes.
“It’s a good way for people to have a little bit of everything. We can usually tell when something piques their interest and reach out to them and try to get them involved in a project that is close to their heart,” Chambers said.
Patrick Ryan is the club’s president-elect and decided to join after attending an open house two years ago.
“It’s a great way to get involved in the community. It’s a great cause and we’re investing in our children’s future,” Ryan said.
Marti Bowman is the newest member of the club and has gone from volunteering to joining.
“Either way, if you already volunteer at activities, it’s a great way to meet people and give back. Especially for newcomers, we have so many new people moving here,” Bowman said.
Chambers added that it is a great option not only for newcomers but also for new retirees.
“It keeps you young at heart,” Chambers said.
