The Hixson Kiwanis Club is dedicated to improving the Hixson community and encouraging students to scholastically further themselves, says member Marv Martin. It’s for those reasons that the club is hosting a special fundraising meal from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10 to support the group’s annual scholarship to benefit two Hixson High School seniors.
Hixson Middle School has donated the use of its cafeteria as the site for the benefit lunch. The cost is $10 per plate, though children eat free. The menu consists of ham and chicken along with vegetables, mashed potatoes and dessert.
The scholarship has been a Hixson Kiwanis tradition for years. The combined $2,500 will be split among one boy and one girl who represent the Kiwanis Club’s values, Martin explained. Traits like leadership, academic excellence and community involvement are expected from the applicants – the same traits the club wants from its members, he said.
“We’ve got a terrific staff up there at Hixson High,” said Martin. “I don’t think they get enough support from the community, and without community involvement, the schools flounder.”
He said the fundraiser has been so popular with the community that the club has collected up to $4,000 at previous lunches, almost enough for two years’ worth of scholarships. While Martin said the club has tried to diversify its fundraising efforts in recent years, members are still looking for the lunch to be a big success.
“If we can help and encourage students to pursue a higher education, then I think we’ve succeeded,” said club vice president David Queen.
Email Shane Foley at sfoley@timesfreepress.com.