Service clubs uniquely provide a social forum in democratic society that transcends political, religious, ethnic, gender and workplace boundaries. No wonder then, that what sprang forth in 1915 to meet an urgent need in the United States has become international in application without the tensions, red tape and expense of the United Nations. First to begin to fill that vacuum in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1919 was The Kiwanis Club of Eau Claire, Inc., destined to prosper on "the cutting edge of societal change" decades before radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh coined the phrase. Consider: Environmentalists lament destruction of forests that once so richly graced the globe. Here in Eau Claire, two forests, what was once wind-blown, badly gullied wasteland, are living proof Kiwanians recongnized the need for conservation decades ago when the operative word was stewardship. Sociologist Amitai Etzioni enthuses over his concept of 'communitarianism' developed to promote the social interchange of people working together in search of public good. No need to enlist Eau Claire Kiwanians. They have been doing just that for 86 years. They are smart enough to understand they didn't originate a practice that is the root of most religions so roundly denigrated these days by some modern thinkers. The War on Drugs is popular in every presidential campaign. Eau Claire Kiwanians have led in the educational aspect of that crusade for more than three decades. Long before tourist ad dollars were taxed from people, Eau Claire Kiwanians developed and donated to the City of Eau Claire, northwest Wisconsin's premier tourist attraction and educational interpretive center, The Paul Bunyan Logging Camp. Scoffers often deride service club members as "do-gooders". Kiwanians accept the description with gratitude so long as it comes from lips of the people they are helping. Our club's story would better be told by those whose lives have been touched; A handicapped person's exuberant joy at the Kiwanis Christmas Party A child sent to summer camp, or an athletic or scholastic competition, or Special Olympics. An improverished family fed because Kiwanians rang Salvation Army bells. A farm youngster furnished with a heifer calf. Young readers clutching the first book they ever owned. A new mother supplied with help on raising her newborn. The list does not end here. So where does the Noon Club fit in the great Kiwanis scheme? Fourth largest in the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District, ours was the eighth organized in Wisconsin and 128th of 135 in the nation in 1919. As of April, 2005, Kiwanis International listed 8445 clubs with 288,702 members in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin and North America. During 2004, clubs sponsored more than 150,000 service projects and raised more than $100,000,000. As always, our club welcomes service-minded individuals who enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people.