The Kiwanis Club of Guthrie, known for its dedication to local children, is facing a bittersweet moment as longtime member Jerry Gammill prepares for retirement. Jerry has been an integral part of the club’s work for years, stepping up to make sure that the needs of Guthrie’s children are met. “Having him step away is going to leave a big hole in our club,” said Jamie Newton, the current treasurer of the Kiwanis Club. “His contribution was invaluable and it should be a lasting legacy for him.”
The Kiwanis Club has been part of Guthrie since 1971 and has consistently focused on making life better for local children. Their biggest project, Coats for Kids, ensures that children have warm clothing for the winter. “Kids or counselors from schools get to go to Walmart and pick out new cold-weather gear,” explained Newton. This program doesn’t just stop at coats; it also includes hats, gloves, scarves, shoes, and other necessary clothing.Beyond Coats for Kids, the club also supports the Key Club at Guthrie High School and the Builders Club at Guthrie Junior High. Also, the club offers $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors, provides funding for the local Summer Reading Program, and even lends a helping hand to Logan Community Services. Their commitment to children is evident in every activity, including organizing an annual Easter egg hunt at Highland Park, conducting the BigWheel races during the 89ers celebration, and participating in community events like Trunkor- Treat.Newton herself joined the club five years ago, looking for a meaningful way to contribute to the community. “For me, I wanted to find a place that would fit for me to be involved in the community,” she said. “The sole focus of Kiwanis is the children of the community, that for me was the perfect fit.” She also noted that some of her own grandchildren have benefited from the Coats for Kids program, making her connection to the club’s work even more personal.The club’s activities aren’t just about service—they’re about building a sense of community. “Kiwanis started as a group of businessmen who wanted to help their community but also wanted to work with other businesses in their community,” Newton explained. Today, the club continues to foster these connections, providing an opportunity for local businesses to demonstrate their commitment to Guthrie.With Gammill’s retirement, the Kiwanis Club is hopeful that new members will step in to keep the work going. “If we don’t get more members, this club, which has been around since 1971, will go away, and that would just be a tragedy,” Newton emphasized. The time commitment, she says, is minimal—just two hours a month for regular meetings, which take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m.The club also hosts an annual Christmas Auction in early December, which requires some additional time, but Newton is quick to point out that the efforts are shared among members. “People can come and go, we just appreciate whatever they’re able to do,” she said.The Kiwanis Club has made a significant impact in Guthrie, and Newton hopes that others in the community will see the value in keeping it alive. “Everything we do is centered around local children,” she said. “I wanted to give my time to this organization because of the great things it does for the kids in the community, and the difference we’re making in the lives of those kids. It’s going to take a whole lot of us to step in and fill [Gammill’s] shoes.”