Ann McLaughlin, Theo Boman and Jeanne Hill worked together to bring the Morning Kiwanis closing to a beautiful end.

Webster City’s Morning Kiwanis Club, which has been supporting children, schools, daycares, nonprofits and community service projects around town for 50 years, donated all its remaining funds to local schools and other organizations at a reception Wednesday evening at Briggs Woods Conference Center.

This summer, the club made the difficult decision to cease operations,citing an aging membership struggling to keep up the pace of fundraising and volunteer work, and too few new, younger members stepping forward to take up the work.

Wednesday’s event was described as “A celebration of 50 years of good works.” Invitations were mailed to all local Kiwanians, past and present, and a representative from each local organization receiving a donation. About 65 people attended.

Master of Ceremonies Ann McLaughlin, convened the program. Following Kiwanis Club traditions, the club’s signature bell was rung, then things got underway with the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of “God Bless America,” and a prayer. A jar was passed so members could mention something they were happy about, adding a dollar to the collection — their “happy dollars.” Money collected this way will be donated to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.

McLaughlin then introduced Linda Cline, of Fort Dodge, Lt. Governor of Division Two, Region Four, of the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District, who gave the keynote address. She said things you’d expect after 50 years of community service, including “a lot of work has been done here,” and “your members obviously care a lot about the lives of kids, and about Webster City,” before asking philosophically, “what will Webster City do without this club?”

She touched briefly on declining membership in Kiwanis clubs across the country, and the difficulty in attracting and retaining younger members.

“I’ve learned young people want to serve, but they’re not joiners like my generation,” she said.

Clubs are trying to adapt to this reality to keep Kiwanis relevant for a new generation.

The podium was then turned over to Jeannie Hill, who, with McLaughlin and Theo Boman, planned the reception. She announced $19,000 in donations were being awarded as follows:

. $6,000 for six $1,000 scholarships for graduating seniors at Webster City High School;

. $1,000 donation to each of the three elementary schools of the Webster City Community School District (Pleasant View, Sunset Heights, and Northeast Hamilton);

. $1,000 donation to Stratford Elementary School;

. $1,000 donation to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Webster City;

. $1,000 donation to Webster City middle and high schools;

Each of the following organizations received a $500 donation:

. Webster City Future Farmers of America (for Meals From the Heartland program);

. Webster City High School (for after prom fund);

. Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. (for swimming pool passes and food pantry);

. Trinity Lutheran Church, Webster City, (for food pantry);

. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Webster City, (for food pantry);

. All Cultures Equal, Webster City;

. Meals on Wheels, Webster City;

. Kendall Young Library;

. Webster City Daycare;

. Riverview Daycare;

. Webster City Police Department (for K9 Officer Moab, cash donation and 35 pounds of dog food);

. Wilson Brewer Historic Park.

Citing the mission, vision and objectives of Kiwanis, McLaughlin noted that decisions as to which organizations received the donations were “made on their ability to positively impact the lives of children.”

Looking back 50 years ago, the Morning Club’s official chartering was marked by a gala event similar to Wednesday’s. The February 23, 1973, Daily Freeman-Journal carried a detailed account of a festive evening at Webster City’s Moose Lodge. “More than 200 guests were present for the 7 p.m. dinner and program, with Kiwanis club representatives on hand from 12 communities throughout Iowa.” Local musicians and singers created a festive atmosphere. “Patty Chelsvig provided organ music during the dinner hour . . . and the High School Swing Choir . . . sang ‘Sunshine in My Soul,’ and, ‘Ring Bell,’ receiving hearty applause.”

By 1973, when the Morning Club received its charter, Webster City’s Noon Kiwanis, made up mostly of downtown merchants, bankers and businessmen, was already 50 years old. Webster City Mayor John Johnson, aware of the positive works of Kiwanis in the community, confidently predicted “this new club will mean the good deeds of Kiwanis will be doubled.”

Ray Reasland and Jon Doolittle, both charter members of Morning Kiwanis, were present Wednesday. Doolittle gives his father, a Kiwanian himself, credit for getting him involved. Even though he’s been a snowbird for many years, he attended a Kiwanis club in Mesa, Arizona, while overwintering. This helped him maintain a perfect club attendance record of 40 years. He also served as treasurer of the Morning Club for 20 years.

Long-time member Tom McLaughlin read a humorous poem written by former Kiwanian Don Anderson for the club’s 20th anniversary, noting, “it will bring back many memories of Kiwanians no longer with us.” The refrain, read by Gretchen McGlynn, contained a not-so-complimentary reference to some of the breakfasts stomached by members over the years.

“Main Street Kiwanis, for 20 years, we’ve given our blood, sweat and tears . . .

Cold eggs and hash can never break the spirit that the K can make.”

Summarizing the bittersweet evening, Ann McLaughlin spoke for many, saying, “It’s sad our club is disbanding, but we’re here tonight to celebrate all the good that’s been done in 50 years.”