A History
of
Kiwanis de Amigos
BY: George Mitcham
A History |
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| Page One - 1980 to 1985 | |
| Charter 1980 |
80-81 81-8282-8383-8484-8585-8686-8787-8888-8989-90 |
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November, 1980:News flash: Ronald Reagan is elected President of the United States by a landslide, and the Republicans hold a majority in the U.S. Senate for the first time in 30 years. It is a time of change in America.Southern Arizona re-elects U.S. Senator, Barry Goldwater, and U.S. Representative, Morris Udall. The Central Arizona Pipeline is slowly winding its way toward Tucson with the precious water it would need to grow. The biggest local news story of the year is the resignation and indictment of University of Arizona head football coach, Tony Mason, and six of his assistant charges on charges of fraud and theft. Mason is later acquitted. The Kiwanis Club of Rincon is active in sponsoring a new Kiwanis club in Tucson to be known as Kiwanis Club de Amigos (Kiwanis de Amigos). Under the able leadership of Kiwanis Southwest District Governor, Lowell Amundson, and Division 6 Lt. Governor, Harry Clark, 22 Tucsonians are recruited. On November 6, 1980, the following names are submitted to Kiwanis International as charter founders of Kiwanis de Amigos: On January 8, 1981, at 7 A.M. the Kiwanis de Amigos are officially chartered. Gov. Amundson and Lt. Gov. Clark install the new members and officers: |
1980-81Top News Stories: Eight people are killed in a flash flood at Tanque Verde. The Tucson branch of the First National Bank of Arizona is robbed of $3.3 million, but the money is later recovered. A celebration was held for the safe return of two Arizonians who have been held prisoners by Iran. The Arizona Lottery meets instant success. The UofA football team beats #1 Southern California. 18 Titan missiles are deactivated in southern Arizona. Tucson issues its first cable TV license to Cox Cable, Trichloroethylene (TCE) is discovered in five city wells.Under the leadership of Kiwanis de Amigos' first president, Chris Everett, the club membership expands from 26 to 31 members. Club meetings are held at the Black Watch Restaurant. The club's first successful fund raiser is a rummage sale. The following charities are aided through club efforts and funding: Arizona Children's Home, YMCA, and the Amphi Sound Project. Charter Night is held at Hidden Valley Inn and the Governor of the Southwest District of Kiwanis, Budd Amundsen presents the club its' charter. Anthony Arico, President of the Kiwanis Club of Rincon congratulates the Kiwanis de Amigos on their first year. The acknowledged charter members are: |
1981-82Top Headlines and News Stories in 1982: The Federal Budget is cut. Pima County unemployment rises to 10%. The homeless population in Tucson grows. U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini and U.S. Rep. Morris K. Udall are re-elected to Congress. Arizona Gov. Bruce E. Babbitt is re-elected to a second term. Hughes Aircraft admits to polluting the ground water with TCE.Derrell Parrish is elected the second president of Kiwanis de Amigos, and the club's meeting place is changed to Carrow's Restaurant at 1340 N. Wilmot. In December, 1981, the club sells beer and soft drinks at the 4th Avenue Street Fair and raises $9,000. The beer booths had been a money loser for the 4th Avenue Street Fair Association until the Kiwanis took over the management of the booths. $5,000 is donated to Tucson Rape Crisis Center and $500 to the Community Food Bank. Another $500 was donated to Casa de Vida Drug Rehabilitation Program, and $1,000 to Southwest District Foundation Kids Kamp at Gallup, N.M. The club assists Pioneers of Music of Magee Jr. High in selling music tickets for their music festival and donates $800 to the group. The Kiwanis de Amigos raise approximately $2,000 at the Spring 4th Avenue Street Fair. The club then donates $1,700 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and $250 to AFC for the benefit of Lisa Homes. |
1982-83Top News Stories: Tucson receives 22 inches of rainfall. In Clifton 600 homes and 26 businesses are damaged when the San Francisco River left its banks. 10,000 people are evacuated due to the flooding. In mid-year a copper miners strike closes the mines for the remainder of the year. Devaluation of the Mexican pesos continues to have a negative economic impact on border communities.The Kiwanis de Amigos develop a Toy Relief Fund to provide Christmas presents for children in Clifton who were affected by the recent flood. Under Richard 'Dick' Patterson's leadership the Kiwanis de Amigos took on several community projects. A Christmas camp out and picnic party is held for the Arizona Children's Home, and gifts are given to the children. The club works with the Tucson Police Department in distributing brochures on child sex abuse, and also give a $500 donation. The club becomes a sponsor of the Special Olympics, and runs the basketball event. The Community Food Bank's project 'Build a Mountain of Food receives the club's support, as does the Circle K for the Lucky 7 project. Club members help with the 'Pioneers of Music Concert'. The club also assists in establishing a scholarship fund for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The 4th Avenue Street Fair beer booth continues to be a major fund raiser for the club. |
1983-84Top News Stories: Arizona's incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim McNulty loses at the polls to Jim Kolbe. The copper strike becomes violent as the strike continues. The local economy remains stagnant. It is estimated that approximately 1500-2000 transients occupy Tucson streets daily. Major road construction slows traffic to a crawl.David West is elected president of the club, and overseas the numerous club activities. $1,000 is donated to the Reid Park Zoo to assist in the construction of a new lion house. The club members build a volleyball court for the Creative Learning Center, which assists delinquent teenagers. Several volleyball games are held throughout the year between club members and the CLC teenagers. Big Brothers/Big Sisters receives the club's financial support, and a joint picnic is held with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the kids. A 'Bad Film Festival' is held in cooperation with radio station KRQ and approximately $750 is raised for Special Olympics. The club sponsors the basketball event at the Special Olympics, again. Approximately $14,000 is spent on service project with three fund raising events held during the year. Club membership totals 26 members. |
1984-85Top News Stories: Middle East terrorism captures international headlines with the hijacking of a TWA flight. An earthquake in Mexico kills 7000. The world watches Haley's Comet fly by planet Earth. Tucson's unemployment increases. However, personal income and retail sales increase. Perhaps, the long economic recession is beginning to recede. TCE is found in several city wells, and the wells are shut down.Paul Plunk becomes the club's fifth president. The club donates $3,000 to assist Desert Survivors purchase a vehicle to be used for handicapped workers. $4,750 is contributed to Big Brothers/Big Sisters' Educational Endowment Fund. Club members help cook and serve at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters annual picnic. $1,000 is given to the Beguin Foundation to purchase video equipment for training handicapped workers. Another $5,000 is donated to the Shelter for Abused Women & Children. The Kiwanis de Amigos sponsor the basketball event at the Special Olympics, and $400 is contributed to the American Diabetes Foundation. The 1st Annual 'Kiwanis for Kids' Golf Tournament is held in June. |
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