Message from the President
Kiwanis President Message
It is my pleasure to serve as President of the University Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls for the remainder of 2022 through October, 2023. Our club is a member of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members, and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Presently world-wide there are more than 537,000 members including youth clubs (K-Kids, Builders Clubs, Key Clubs, and Circle K Clubs) and Kiwanis members in 85 countries and geographic areas. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to creatively meet the needs of children in their community.
In Wichita Falls and Petrolia, our club sponsors the following student service and leadership organizations: Elementary School level - BUG (Bringing Up Grades) and TK (Terrific Kids) at Kate Haynes Northwest Academy, BUG at Petrolia Elementary; High School Key Clubs - Hirschi Key Club, Rider Key Club, and Wichita Falls High Key Club; University level - Midwestern State University Circle K Club. The students in each of these clubs do volunteer projects of their own choosing as well as helping the University Kiwanis Club with the annual Pancake Festival, the Kiwanis Park Concession Stand during baseball season, the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred Rest Stop, Maintenance of the Playground at Kiwanis Park, Halloween in the Park, Fantasy of Lights Boot Collecting as well as the Exhibit Workday, Christmas in the Park, the City-wide Easter Egg Hunt, the Home and Garden Show, and the Mystery Art Festival. It is inspiring working with the youth who will be our future.
We are looking forward to conducting our 67th annual Pancake Festival at its regularly scheduled date this year which is January 28, 2023, from 6:00 A.M to 6:00 P.M. at the J. S. Bridwell Agricultural Barn at MPEC. This is our only fundraiser of the year which we depend on to sponsor our youth clubs and leadership organizations. We also use the funds to support our adopted squadron at SAFB (the 361st), ARC Camp Harmony, the Wichita County 4-H Livestock Show, the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, the Hotter 'N Hell Hundred Rest Stop, Key Club and Circle K scholarships, the City-wide Easter Egg Hunt, the Kiwanis World Wide Service Project, Children's Miracle Network, and the Kiwanis International Foundation, Texas-Oklahoma Foundation, and University Club Foundation. In addition, we periodically fund donations to upstanding local charities on a case-by-case basis upon written request.
Our latest signature project, which was constructed in University Kiwanis Park on Southwest Parkway in 2021, is a playground for children ages 2-5. The playground accommodates mentally and physically challenged young children and consists of 8 swings, 2 ziplines, a 4-person see saw, 2 two-person bobble riders, an Omni Spin, a Cozy Dome, 3 Whimsey Riders, and a large central play structure with multiple tunnels, climbing elements, and slides.
We are always looking for new members who want to be involved in giving back to the community and helping children. If you would like to learn more about membership, please feel free to contact us on our website (universitykiwaniswf.org) or give me a call at (940) 781-2078. We do have quarterly dues which are assessed to meet International and District Kiwanis dues, pay for our website, and pay for administrative expenses. Additionally, members must pass a background check conducted by Kiwanis International. We would love for you to join our team and share in our fellowship.
Dennis Probst
President 2022-23