The Kiwanis Club of Slayton will observe its 75th Anniversary in conjunction with the Slayton Community Band at their Concert in the Park on Thursday, July 2nd, 5-7 p.m., at Gullord Park in Slayton.
The Slayton Kiwanis Club was organized on July 17, 1951, and the Charter Night Banquet was held on August 10,1951, at Valhalla Resort, now known as Key Largo, rural Slayton. The Worthington Kiwanis Club was the sponsoring club. The Slayton Club is a service club focusing on the needs of children with activities including two $500.00 scholarships given to graduating seniors at Murray County Central, a donation to Children’s Miracle Network and financial gifts to many other charitable organizations and businesses. This club also sponsors K-Kids at MCC. K-Kids is a group comprised of students in 4th through 6th grade who learn leadership skills and teamwork to accomplish a predetermined goal. The Slayton Kiwanis Club has been the sponsoring organization of Scouting in Slayton since the 1950’s, when a charter was signed, and has been upheld over the years. Support is provided financially and in person assistance is provided for the annual Pinewood Derby. Funds for these activities are raised by holding fundraisers such as an annual Pancake Breakfast, a Soup and Dessert meal and a raffle held at the Spring Expo in connection with the Slayton Chamber of Commerce and the Murray County Early Childhood Initiative (ECI).
Our current membership list for the club shows 34 members. In 1951 the local businessmen of Slayton were instrumental in forming the club but Kiwanis International later approved the ruling that women could be invited to join so the local paper ran a picture with the caption that “it was a historic moment” in February 1988, when three women were installed. One of those women was Karen Tommeraasen who continues to be a member and who supports our club wholeheartedly yet today. Dedication to the club shown by Doug Johnson and his son, Jim, helped them to achieve 50 years membership status with Kiwanis International: Doug in 2004 and Jim in February 2026. They joined local dentist, Dr. Dick Donaldson, and businessman Orville Grieme, who also attained 50 years as members.
To share our history further, the Slayton Kiwanis Club would like to invite everyone to Gullord Park on July 2nd, 5 - 7 p.m., to help celebrate 75 years of service for the community.
