The Kiwanis Club of Montgomery & The Alabama National Fair
Hill Hill Carter members and employees are involved in many, various civic and service organizations in the cities in which we have offices. One such organization in Montgomery is the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, a local service organization dedicated to meeting the needs of children and youth in the River Region. Charted on October 31, 1919, in Montgomery, Alabama, the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery currently holds the ranking of the third largest Kiwanis Club in the world out of 8,000 clubs within Kiwanis International, its parent organization. The Kiwanis Club of Montgomery ranks as one of the highest in granting charitable contributions funded through its only fundraising project, the Alabama National Fair, and from endowments in its local Kiwanis Club Foundation. Hill, Hill, Carter founding member, Thomas B Hill, Jr. was president of Kiwanis Club of Montgomery in 1935.
In 1954, the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery began its annual fundraiser by founding the Alabama National Fair, and since then, it has continued to grow and prosper each year. Hill Hill Carter shareholder Shawn Junkins Cole is currently serving as President of the Alabama National Fair and developed her passion for involvement in the Fair after serving on the Grants Committee of the Kiwanis Club, seeing firsthand how the proceeds directly benefit the organizations serving children and youth. Shawn stated, “When you see how these proceeds truly make lasting impacts in the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our community, you cannot help but put your heart and soul into serving and working at the Fair. Many people only see the Fair as rides, food, agricultural and art competitions, and racing pigs, but I see it as more than a fun family activity – I also see it as a means to raise funds which are poured back into our community. Even my children love to come work alongside me because they know what good comes from all the work the fair staff and Kiwanians and their family members undertake.”
The Alabama National Fair offers something fun for all ages with numerous different livestock, food, and art competitions, live outdoor shows and rides offered. No matter where you come from, there is an event, exhibit, or vendor for you! Through proceeds from the Alabama National Fair, member contributions, and the Pete Peterson Trust, the Kiwanis Club has donated over $7 million to the charitable needs in the community. In March of this year, the Kiwanis Club total grants awarded totaled $345,000. Granting day at Kiwanis Club is always an exciting time! One of the nonprofits sponsored by Hill Hill Carter, Valiant Cross Academy, recently took students to visit the Kiwanis Club to tell the membership how their school has benefitted from its Kiwanis Club grant which was used to purchase a van to transport students to and from school and to various field trips. This shows our community outreach is effective and is just touching the surface of things to come.
This year, the Alabama National Fair will begin on Friday, September 28th and will end on Monday, October 8th. Tickets are $10 at the gate, and pre-sale tickets are $8. There are special ticket price days including a $5 pre-sale ticket for use only on Sunday, September 30th, sponsored by Huntingdon College and the inner-city ministry, Flatline Movement, $1 day for those that bring canned goods for the local food bank, and $2 day for those that bring pet food for the Humane Shelter. A few exhibits to look forward to this year include the Rosa Parks Museum, the Freedom Riders Museum, Archives & History, and a STEM exhibit from Civil Air Patrol. The entertainment lineup for the 65th Alabama National Fair will include Rush of Fools, Fantasia, and Trace Atkins. For more information about the Alabama National Fair or presale tickets, please visit https://alnationalfair.org.
**There are other great Kiwanis Clubs in Montgomery! Hill Hill Carter member, Bowen Hill was the first president of the Capital City Kiwanis Club which was chartered on October 11, 1954. There is also Good Morning Montgomery Kiwanis Club. Each Club started with the same spirit of charitable contribution in mind but meeting at different times to accommodate the varying schedules of those committed to service. If you are interested in gathering more information about involvement in any of the Kiwanis Clubs, call 1-800-549-2647 or go to http://alabama.kiwanis.org/