The Kiwanis Club of Macon has a distinguished record of service to the larger Kiwanis community.  Two of its members have served as President of Kiwanis International:  Hamilton Holt (1945 - 1946) and Mark A. Smith, Sr. (1940 - 1941).  Seven Governors of the Georgia District have been members of the Macon Club:  Walter Harris in 1922, Peyton T. Anderson in 1924, Mark A. Smith, Sr., in 1934, Gordon G. Singleton in 1935, Hamilton Holt in 1939, Frank E. Craven in 1978-1979, and Richard B. Domingos in 1983-1984.  The Club has also had twenty of its members serve as lieutenant governors over the years.

          The Kiwanis Club of Macon has a long history of distinguished service to the local community as well.  Early projects included providing milk for the Children’s Clinic at the Macon Hospital, helping with the 4-H Clubs at Rock Eagle, and supporting the Georgia Industrial Home. In the 1930’s to the 1950’s, Macon Kiwanians planted Japanese magnolia trees in Mulberry Street Park and on Coleman Hill in memory of deceased Kiwanians.  Those trees still beautify downtown Macon and some of the markers can still be located.  Several members were instrumental in getting the federal government and the Smithsonian Institution to do archeological digs leading to the establishment of the Ocmulgee National Monument.

          High school and college students have long been supported by the Kiwanis Club of Macon through its sponsorship of high school Key Clubs and Circle K Clubs at Mercer University and Wesleyan College.  Lanier High School of Macon had one of the first Key Clubs in Georgia and it was the largest Key Club in the country in the early 1960’s.  Stratford Academy started its Key Club in the late 1960’s.  Central High School and Mount de Sales Academy started their Key Clubs in 1989.  The Club also provides college scholarships every year through its Hamilton Holt Scholarship Fund, which was started as a loan fund in 1923, not long after the Club was founded.  It was named after Hamilton Holt in 1966 and became a scholarship fund in 1994.  For many years , the Club has hosted a local talent show for high school students.  The winners receive monetary awards and then go on to competition at the state level.

          Starting in 1976 , the Club has supported Camp Maheta Luptke by paying the cost of providing food for the campers, who come from the Bibb County Schools and are severely emotionally disturbed.  The Camp is a wonderful experience for the students, and the Club is proud of its long time support of this good cause.

          Over the years, the Club has supported the District and International projects, including the effort to eradicate iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) from the world.  It has supported the Children’s Miracle Network and many other good causes.  This support has been the result of the Club’s fundraising efforts through the long running Travel and Adventure Series and more recently the onion sales and the Art Auction.  The Club also supports the local community by its annual participation in the Salvation Army bellringing and Christmas stockings and its assistance with the operation of the Cherry Blossom Festival information booth.

          The history of the Kiwanis Club of Macon reflects its commitment to the Objects of Kiwanis through active support of many good causes at the local, state, and international levels.

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