Pecan Valley Kiwanis Hold Annual Banquet, Give Awards

The Pecan Valley Kiwanis Club of Early recently held its annual Awards and Sweetheart Banquet at the Brownwood Country Club.  This banquet is held each year as near to Valentine’s Day as is possible, so that the Kiwanis spouse’s can be treated to a special night out.  This time is also a time set aside for recognitions of accomplishments and achievements of the club and its members.

Musical and vocal entertainment was provided by Eric and Jill Evans.  The guest Speaker was Tom Washburn, Minister of the Austin Avenue Church of Christ.  Tom was accompanied by his wife, Julie.

President Bill Pursch presented an accounting of all the activities and accomplishments made by the Pecan Valley Kiwanis Club in 2009, noting that in the last several years, with the success of fund raisers, the club has been able to contribute and assist more groups and organizations that are associated with the Youth of our community and by having additional funds to provide more educational scholarships.

Special Guests attending the banquet were members of the Brownwood Kiwanis Club as well as members of the Early High School Key Club, a Kiwanis sponsored Youth Group.

The first presentations of the night were made to those Kiwanis members with having attained perfect attendance.  They are:

• Nick Nichols – 32 years
• Bill Thedford – 26 years
• Ricky Marks – 19 years
• Bill Pursch – 17 years
• Roy Parrack – 15 years
• Bill Belich – 8 years
• Morris Horton – 7 years
• Ralph Watts – 6 years
• Don Holland – 5 years
• Jose Brown – 2 years

The second award of the night was the Early High School Sophomore of the Year Award.  Making the presentation was Early High School Key Club Faculty Advisor and Kiwanian Vivian Taylor, to the recipient, Kaitlyn Levett.  Vivian noted that there many worthy applications received for this award, and that the decision was not an easy one for the Kiwanis Club, but that Kaitlyn’s participation in community activities and Key Club projects helped to make her “stand above the rest” in this decision process.

The Layperson of the Year award was presented to Jim Hampton by last year’s recipient, Jose Brown.  Jim’s participation and involvement in Jail and Prison ministries through his church, Austin Avenue Church of Christ, helped to cause this award to be presented to Jim.

Club President Bill Pursch made a Past President’s award and plaque to 2009 Club President Don Holland, thanking him for his valuable contribution to the club, both as a member and as the President.  Don was also recognized and thanked for further contributing to Kiwanis by serving as this year’s Lt. Governor for Division 12.  In addition to the Pecan Valley (Early) Kiwanis Club, Division 12 consists of Kiwanis clubs from Brady, Brownwood, Coleman, Comanche, Cross Plains, San Angelo and West Angelo.

The Kiwanian of the Year award was presented to Jose Brown by last year’s recipient, Don Holland.  This prestigious award is given, by the club member’s secret votes, to the one Kiwanian that has contributed in an “extraordinary” way in furthering Kiwanis and its mission of “changing the world one child and one community at a time.”

A Special Presentation was made by Kiwanian Ricky Marks to Charlotte Parrack, property manager of Heartland Mall, and owner of 4P Management.  Charlotte was presented with this award in recognition of her many years of non-member service and contributions to the Club, its fundraisers, and numerous Club activities.  Heartland Mall has been gracious to allow the Pecan Valley Kiwanis Club to have fundraisers at the Mall, provide office space for these fundraiser activities, and to provide a venue for numerous other activities and events of the Pecan Valley Kiwanis Clubs as well as the Early High School Key Club, Early Middle School Builders Club, and many other Civic groups’ activities.  Heartland Mall is recognized as a valuable community partner.

The night’s event was finished with a reminder of the Kiwanis Prayer —  Lord, please give us Wisdom to recognize the needs of our community, Courage to address them, Strength and Skill of Hand to meet them, and the Fellowship to make it fun.

Shown at top:  (l-r) is the Guest Speaker of the Pecan Valley Kiwanis Club Awards Banquet Tom Washburn, his wife Julie Washburn, along with Janie Pursch and Kiwanis President Bill Pursch.