The Kiwanis spirit was wafted to Fredericksburg early in February 1923, and when Field Representative J. Van Borchett arrived in the city he found considerable activity. With assistance and co-operation of the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, a temporary organization was soon effected and the first meeting was held February 9. The following officers were elected and installed: J. Adams, President; Simon Hirsh Vice-president; John Eastwood, Secretary, and W. Mayo Smith, Treasurer. Directors consisted of Claude Parcell, C. Merideth, S. Scott, F. Feuerherd, D. Bowman, W. Thompson, and C. Goolrick. District Trustee, W. Cole.

70 men were signed up as charter members and on March 27 Governor Lintner paid the club an official visit and presented the charter. This occasion was a brilliant one, the Governor of Virginia, the Mayor of the city and splendid delegations of Kiwanians from Alexandria, Washington, Richmond, and Ashland being present and many ladies gracing the occasion.

The club started immediately to function and has been a decided influence for progress in the community. The schools have received special attention and silver cups have been offered in the Hig and the State Normal School to the student accomplishing most for the school. The faculties of the High School and of the Elementary School of the city have been entertained and the club has been the host at several functions in honor of visiting guests. Meetings are held weekly at the Princess Anne Hotel at 6:30.

The club adopted as its chief objective for 1924 the establishment of a municipal playground and athletic field. We attended an Inter-Club Meeting at Alexandria.

The Kiwanis activity for the year 1924 in addition to work for cripples and underprivileged children was largely devoted to the attendance of its principal local object, the establishing of a playground for the children of the city.

Raised $3,000 at the indoor fair that was greatly aided by the co-operation of all the members, town business men as well as by a great many ladies of Fredericksburg. As a result of this effort, this money was placed in the hands of a committee and later was used to complete the object.

The very hearty Support which the Kiwanis gave to the Harvest Festival contributed largely to the success of that festival and found that the people of Fredericksburg looked forward to that occasion as an annual function. The Kiwanis Musical Revue was beautifully staged thanks to the activity of George M. Davis, one of our most valued Kiwanians, and his musical friends, both ladies and gentlemen. This revue added materially to the funds of the Kiwanis Club for the benefit of the above playground.

During the administration of Dr. S. L. Scott on or about May 6th, 1924, the agitation of the Battlefield Park for Fredericksburg was continued. Efforts were made upon various occasions to keep this T)roject alive and resulted in a bill ultimately being passed providing for proper inspections and surveys of the battlefields in and around Fredericksburg. The year 1924 in addition to the incidents of its accomplishments, previously mentioned, was the year characterized by a great deal of interest in Kiwanis activities and furnished a splendid background for the support of efforts which came in the next administration.

Contribution to the Mary Washington Hospital building fund. This was the first contribution the hospital received towards the construction of a new building. Made contribution to the Mary Washington Hospital Garden Club. Contributed to the Mary Washington benefit day or donation day.

Masque Ball to raise funds for Crippled Children's Work. The ball was a success.

The club was responsible for three months treatment to a boy in a hospital in Richmond, VA.

Attended an Inter-Club meeting in Washington. Entertained the Ashland club.

The playground equipment was installed at elementary and High School grounds. The School Board accepted same on behalf of the club with the understanding that the School Board would care for it.

The club gave silver cups to a graduating student of the High School and the State Teachers Coilege who, according to the heads of each institution, had done most during the school life to uplift the school or college.

The club paid all expenses that cared for a child, provided a home and saw that the child attended school.

The club made a strong effort towards the Battlefield Park bill. Being finally passed by the House and Senate.

We held a joint meeting with the Ashland Club in Fredericksburg. Were hosts to Washington, Manassas and Alexandria on Inter-Club Day.

We sent one boy to a Richmond hospital, who had been thrown from a horse and hurt and who had suffered for more than a year. After about sixteen weeks treatment there he seemed to get about all right, so he could walk practically as good as ever.

One other boy we sent to the Crippled Children's Hospital. He could not walk at all when we sent him there, but he got a great deal better, so he could get about quite well without the aid of crutches.

We equipped two boys for school who could not go to school owing to the fact that they did not have clothes and books.

We entertained the North Carolina farmers who were traveling though the country visiting different sections, and showed them some of the farms near our city. We accommodated them over night in Fredericksburg and the next day fed something over one hundred.

We also entertained the Washington Star Boys' Band, which gave a concert in the city park one night to the people of Fredericksburg.

The Virginia Electric Power Company representatives were also entertained by our club, as they were coming into Fredericksburg to build their line and furnish our city with electricity.

On December 27 we dipensed with our regular meeting and gave instead a pulic dinner and dance for the Mary Washington Hospital. The dinner was furnished free by Kiwanian C. A. Abbey, manager of the Princiess Anne Hotel. The music was provided by the club.

In connection with the Crippled Children's Work, $75 was sent to Dr. Thos. Wheeldon, Secretary of the State Crippled Children's Fund, $75 to the Fredericksburg Orthopedic Society, and $75 for a special operative case.

In Under privilege Child Work and Vocational Guidance, $70.00 was given to the Children's Home Society of Virginia, which amount will more than care for one child for one year. Christmas Week, through the generosity of Kiwanian B. T. Pitts, 350 children were entertained at a moving picture performance and the club bad Santa Claus distribute fruits and candy. Through the generosity of the Georgia Carolina School of Commerce a Kiwanis Rotating Scholarship was established in the local business college. This scholarship was given to a young girl, desirous of taking a business course, and the club furnished her with the necessary books.

In Public Affairs, the club has taken a leading part in promoting the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Battlefield Park movement. It has been ready at all time to co-operate with the county and city authorities as well as with other organizations and has frequently sent its members to conferences in Washington. We recently aroused local interest and entertained the supervisors of Spotsylvania and other prominent citizens of the county. This led them to sponsor a movement to have the State Highway Commission take over certain roads in the battlefield area, which petition was strengthened by a similar petition from the Fredericksburg City Council. At a hearing held in Petersburg, these two bodies presented their petitions and were accompanied by members of this club. The petitions were favorably received and the State Highway Commission is arranging to have a bill presented to the State Legislature giving them the proper authority. This Club also entertained, at different times, the members of the City Council and other' city officials, and the teachers of both the high school and the elementary schools. We lent our support to having the Sunken Road made historic by the Battle of Fredericksburg repaired and joined in a successful protest against closing the Rappahannock River at night due to the construction of the Downing Bridge at Tappahannock.

We took part in the celebration of the opening of the Richmond-Washington Highway, the president of this club being a member of the official committee, and entertained at this time all visiting Kiwanians.

The clubs represented were Manassas, Washington, Alexandria, Ashland, Richmond, Petersburg, Newport News, Hopewell, Winchester and Harrisonburg.

To promote a better understanding between the city and country, this Club met at Spotsylvania Court House as the guests of the 4-H Club. The dinner proceeds are to help send their members to the summer course of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg. The Kiwanis Club gave two prizes for essays on corn, written by the children of the 4-H Club.

We gave a $5 prize on Halloween won by the 4-H Club of Stafford County.

Gave $50 towards entertaining the Virginia Seed Growers at the convention held here and members of this club served on the entertainment committee. Among the outstanding talks, Thomas Lomax Hunter on Tolerance, Judge A. T. Embrey on the American Constitution, Dr. Thomas Wheeldon on Crippled Children, Mr. Sweeney on developing the Rappahannock Valley. Among other activities of the club, presenting a Kiwanis cup to the student of the Fredericksburg High School and one to the student of the State Teachers College, who had done the most for their respective schools in that year. At the request of the National Republic, this club presented the National Republic medal to the high school student who wrote the best essay on the American Constitution by a high school student in Virginia.

The officers of the local chautauqua were entertained by this club as were the Deaf and Dumb Boys Band of Jacksonville, Ill., at which time the club members also brought their own children. We aided the flood victims of the Mississippi Valley by a donation of $25 to the local Red Cross. We gave two prizes to the school children making the best bird boxes. We aided the boys band of the Salvation Army financially and furnished a bus for them to give a concert in Washington. We aided financially the American Legion in securing the equipment for placing American flags on certain streets. We aided financially in the taking of one of the series of historic pictures undertaken by the State Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring the picture depicting the wedding of George Washington. We entertained the Salvation Army officers of this division, and held a Father, Son and Daughter Night. We had one representative at the National Convention in Memphis, three representatives at the District Convention in Wilmington, and two representatives at the Trustees' Conference in Washington. This club sent a large delegation to the inter-club meeting held in Alexandria in May, at which time the District Loving Cup, which had previously been received by us from Ashland, was presented to the Manassas Club.

In connection with the installation of our new officers we held a Ladies' Night. Past Governor Russell Perkinson was the guest of honor and installed the new officers. We entertained the Hoes family in appreciation of their work in establishing a shrine in Fredericksburg in memory of James Monroe. A Kiwanis Kite Tournament was held in April for the boys and girls of our city. More than 200 children participated in this event.

The club entertained a good will party from Clifton Forge on August 24. 5 members attended Capital District 10th Anniversary in Washington on August 29.

At one of our September meetings, Rev. R. V. Lancaster and J. M. H. Willis of our club told of their impressions of a recent European tour. The clu6 established an annual scholarship at the State Teachers' College for the aid of some Fredericksburg girl and Miss Louise Garnett was selected as the first recipient. Both the authorities of the college and Miss Garnett expressed their appreciation.

FARN WORK, In accordance with a program of greater co-operation with the farmers, we sponsored a meeting with the Robert E. Lee 4-H Club at Spotsylvania Court House. Miss Marle Chilton, President of the 4-H Club spoke emphasizing the help given the young people of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County in securing an education. Once a year about 1000 outstanding representatives of the 4-H Clubs of Virginia go to the State College for a week's instruction. Other talks by the President of Teachers' College, the County Farm Agent and the County Home Demonstrator. The club met at the Chancellor High School on July 9 and at the Spotsylvania High School on July 16. At both meetings the 4-H Clubs of the schools were guests of the club.

CHILD WORK, We held a meeting at the high school and after an enjoyable supper, presented the school with a copy of the Declaration of Independence and an etching of an historic subject.

We sent 5 children to the Tri-County Nutrition Camp. Presented cups to the best students of the high school and the State Teachers' College. Engaged one athletic director of the high school to devote his entire time during the summer to the Wharf rats and tough kids of the town. Equipped a small work shop, raised considerable money to send boys and girls to the State camp and entertained 100 underprivileged children at Belvedete Beach where there was swimming and games and a big supper followed by songs, stunts and speeches around a real camp fire. We were host to twenty-seven boys who received awards for their part in winning the championship in the Kiwanis League for underprivileged children. Following up our summer work, we provided sandwiches and milk for fifteen school children, during the school term 1929-1930.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS, We were successful in backing the project of a gymnasium and auditorium for the local high school. We sponsored a band for the high school and furnished the instruments at a cost of approximately $30.00.

The club turned out 100% to welcome a delegation of school superintendents from New York on a tour under the auspices of the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce. We entertained the officers of the 62nd Coast Artillery Regiment while they were passing through Fredericksburg on their way to maneuvers. We sponsored and assisted in the publication of a directory of Fredericksburg, the first that had been published for over thirty years.

In connection with the County Agent and the Home Demonstration Agent, we sponsored a "Better Garden and a Better Premises Contest." At the close, we entertained the winners at dinner and presented prizes. We were host to the officials of our newest industry Sylvania Corporation. High school faculty was our guests. A benefit supper, served by the ladies of the Stafford County Health Association, was given to raise funds for the work. We took a tableau at a Stafford celebration. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter of better municipal lighting.

INTER-CLUB, We were guests at a meeting with the Ashland Club on November 18, while on November 26, there was a joint meeting of Kiwanis and Rotary.

The winter meeting of the District trustees, presidents, and secretaries was held in our city.

Raised money for charitable work by giving a revue, a play, and an indoor bazaar. Bruce Neill, who was engaged (luring the summer of 1929 as athletic instructor for Under-privileged Children, was again secured to carry on this work in 1930. There were more than 150 boys enrolled in various activities under his direction. This work was brought to a close on August 12, when we had 80 boys as our guests at Tidewater Beach. We furnish ed the supper and the boys program. We continued our work with the 4-H Club, encouraging and helping them with their work. We had dinner with them and raised funds to send several of them to the annual encampment at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Hosts the high school teachers at one meeting and the elementary teachers at another. Sponsored a "Gardens and Premises" contest. Prizes were presented to the student of the high school, and the student of the teacher's college for outstanding work in the interest of the school. During tile school year we furnished sandwiches and milk to under nourished children.

Sponsored a series of broadcasts, advertising the city. Surgical attention and hospitalization were furnished for a boy with a serious hip trouble. Helped in a campaign against tuberculosis.

Participated in an inter-club meeting at Alexandria and on three occasions had LT. Gov. Hill and large delegations from Washington with us, on one of which they presented us with a Canadian flag.

Programs were heard from Dr. W. P. Jackson on "The Value of Play in the Community", Kiwanian D. K. Kellog of Richmond on "Fair Treatment of Railroads", Clarke Venable on the publishing business, Dr. Roy S. Cook, of tile State Teachers' College, "The Importance of Chemistry," and Rabbi Raffacli, of Petersburg.

Arrangements were made to get additional instruments for tile high school band which tile club sponsors. A Christmas dinner was served at the Princess Anne Hotel on Christmas Day to over 100 poor children. After the dinner the children were the guests of Kiwanian Ben Pitts at his motion picture theatre.

Our work for and with boys was the outstanding activity of the year. The Boys' Band of the High School has been our protege for sometime. Through Kiwanian Ben T. Pitts, who donated the proceeds ($300) of his theatre for one afternoon and evening on condition that we usher and sell tickets. We hired an athletic instructor for boys during the summer months. This year 125 boys participated in the supervised sports. Furnished sandwiches and milk to under-nourished school children. Raised money to send the 4-H Club members to their annual encampment and were the guests of the 4-H Club of Spotsylvania. Gave 90 boys an outing with supper. Endorsed the Battlefield Park Association. Attended meetings with speakers Gov. Pollard and Hon. R. Walton Moore.

The Washington Club's Inter-Club Relations Committee put on a mock trial as one of our members was tried on the charge of being ignorant of Kiwanis matters. They presented our club with a gong, the base being made from wood taken from the White House. Host to Manassas, Winchester and Alexandria in May, and Washington, Alexandria, Richmond, Manassas, and Ashland while in December. High School and elementary schools teachers presented programs.

A Santa Claus circus raised money for our Under-privileged Child Work. A turkey dinner was served to 175 Under-privileged Children at Christmas.

The first meeting of the year the District Governor installed new officers.

The Santa Claus Circus netted $250 for Under-privileged Child Work. 20 school children were furnished with sandwiches and milk, shoes, shirts, underwear and pants. School authorities reported improvement in health and in schoolwork. 25 children were found with defective vision. Of these, 18 were successfully, cured without glasses being necessary. Later on 6 more pairs of glasses were furnished, an operation to save the sight of one eye was performed, the lunches for school children were continued. One lunch was held at the elementary school with a program on PTA. 2 movies were given and the Dramatic Club raised $100 for welfare work. The club helped pay for repairing a house for 11 people of whom 8 were tubercular.

Held two 4-H luncheons at Spottsylvania Court House and Chancellorsville. The proceeds paid expenses of boys and girls who went to the short course at VPI. 125 boys were taken on a boat ride down the river to Kiwanian judge Embrey's summer home where they were served supper by the Kiwanians and their wives. The club entertained the High School Football Squad and took them to see a movie on Sportsmanship. The High School Band (fostered by the club) furnished music. Entertained the high school honor student. Gave a Christmas Party to 430 children. Many were taken to and from the party by Kiwanians in their cars. In these activities the club spent during the year $1,400.

Sponsored a Safety Driving Campaign, in which Publicity, Law Enforcement and the Removal of Hazards were stressed. Programs were The Problems of the Railroads, and City Planning. In recognition of its service to the children of the community, the club was entertained in the High School Gymnasium by the teachers in tile elementary and high schools. Held a farmers meeting with farmers from the counties of Stafford, King George, Spottsylvania and Caroline. Sent representatives to District and International Conventions and the School for Club Officers.

Opened the year with an installation Dinner Dance with the District Governor. This year the club put on a unique project. Purchased movie tickets for Under-privileged Children each Friday night. The tickets were given to the teachers in a few schools to be awarded to Under-privileged pupils for improvement in behavior and in their studies. The teachers reported such improvement in the pupils that the plan was extended to include other schools in the city and in the county. In one month as many as 332 tickets were given out. The plan was carried on through the school year. The club took care of a number of operations on tonsils, eyes and throat, had an improperly set broken arm reset, and had one major operation to insure a child's life. The club took care of the expense of a vacation for 12 Fresh Air Children from New York and gave a movie party for all 60 of these children which were taken care of in the town. It contributed to tile anti-tuberculosis work in the community, defrayed half the cost of the lunches served in the schools, and gave a Christmas Party to 147 children,

Paid the salary of a full-time playground Director for the summer months. This director did a fine piece of work, especially in organizing baseball leagues. The club gave a beach party for 156 boys. It agreed to contribute a dollar to match every dollar raised by the Falmouth Boys Band, to buy uniforms and thus gave half the cost of the uniforms, At one meeting the members of the club and their wives were guests of this band. The club gave a benefit for the High School Athletic Association and raised $62. Equipped the High School Library with books on Vocational Guidance.

The club had programs on the Banking Situation, the Farming Situation, the work of the Salvation Army and on the Importance of Beautifying the City. Rebuilt the Band Stand, entertained the teachers of the elementary and high schools, and passed a resolution supporting the President. 75 percent of the club members attended a meeting of the Washington club on the occasion of the visit of the International President. The Club held three Ladies Nights, and celebrated Lee-Jackson Day. It celebrated Constitution Week and sent delegates to the Mid-Winter Conference, the Division meetings and the District Convention.

Furnished lunches to one-half the needy children in the schools, another organization furnishing the other half. Children with defective eyes were treated and glasses were furnished. At the expression of the need by the Manassas club, a member went to Manassas and examined the eyes of 25 children gratis. The club gave a Christmas Party to 300 underprivileged Children-movie, gifts, candy, and fruit, The club furnished movie tickets to children showing the most improvement in schoolwork. It organized a prize essay contest open to high school students. It employed a director of Playground Activities for the summer, these activities including baseball teams for boys of various ages, boxing, tennis, and horseshoe pitching. The baseball teams had games with teams from playgrounds in Washington, The boxers put on an exhibition of boxing as a program at one meeting of the club. At the end of the summer season the club gave a Beach Party to 125 of these boys at which the High School Band (fostered by the club) gave a concert. After the schools opened the club at a public meeting presented certificates and medals for excellence in tile summer work. Later the club entertained the Football Team at luncheon.

A member of the club gave a radio address on "What Parents Can Do to Help Children Choose a Vocation." The club held its annual meeting at the school with all the teachers as guests.

Host to Prince Georges, Washington, Arlington, Alexandria, Ashland, Manassas, and Richmond at one big meeting, later being host to Manassas and to Ashland. It also visited Prince Georges, Petersburg and Charlottesville.

Entertained the International President, District Governor, the LTG and represented at the International and District Conventions and the Training School for Club Officers.

The club took care of T. and A. operation, and furnished glasses for U. P. Children where needed, financed the purchase Of cod liver oil for all county children whose Parents were unable to buy it. it provided hot lunches for one-half the undernourished children in the schools (the PTA taking the other half) and increased the number of children served as the need increased. It also put on a children's party.

The club continued the custom of giving weekly movie passes to children showing improvement in school, With good results. Added a plan for supervised play during the summer by furnishing supervision for girls and boys. This activity was somewhat curtailed this y prevalence of infantile paralysis. devoted to BOYS Work and the Scouting were held. Awarded the Kiwanis Cup to the graduation High School class member who did the most to build up the School. Enabled a 4-H Club boy to attend the short course at VPI.

Furnished the High School Library with books on Vocational Guidance, gave talks at the High School and arranged individual conferences for students with members of the club. It helped boys find employment in suitable positions. It held One meeting at a C. C. C. camp, 'furnished speakers at C. C. C. camps and obtained permission from the city to Use a vacant school building as a Social center for CCC boys in town.

The club held programs on Safety for Children, The VERA, The Cause and Prevention of Automobile Accidents. Entertained the Commanding Officer of the Dahlgren Proving Station and his Staff. Entertained the Army Officers in charge of the 6 CCC camps, State and Federal Officers who attended the Kenmore Meeting. Fostered a movement for a new school building for colored children.

Organized a Bowling Team, held a joint meeting with Rotary and had ladies Nights. Kiwanis Education meetings were held. Entertained the LTG. Host to the Mid-Winter Conference and sent delegates to the District Convention.

The club took care of lunches for its share of under-nourished children, furnish improvement in studies. Two hundred and sixty children were entertained at a Christmas Theatre Party and sent home with "bags of goodies." The club had a program on the Boys Band and started a movement for buying additional instruments. It entertained the Girls Basketball Team, the winning Baseball Team, and the High School Football Squad at luncheons. Furnished supervision for the summer playground for boys and girls. Organized softball, baseball, tennis, track and other teams. Took 150 playground boys on a picnic to Fairview Beach, with swimming games and track events and awarded prizes to the winners. Added Vocational Guidance books to the High School and had a program on CCC Camp.

Host to Petersburg, Richmond, Washington, and Manassas clubs. Sent delegates to Richmond and Manassas. Held four Ladies Nights and one picnic.

Entertained the LTG, had 2 programs on Kiwanis education, celebrated Constitution Week, planting trees in memory of George Washington on the High School grounds and was represented at the International convention.

Furnished milk and lunch to 50 elementary school children. Had a program on Education in Virginia and it aided in keeping a CCC camp in the County.

The LTG installed officers with a delegation from Prince Georges County.

Joined the Chamber of Commerce and the other civic clubs at the annual dance. Held a joint Ladies Night and dance with Rotary. Had a program on Kiwanis Education and was represented at the Mid-Winter Conference. No activities after the February report.