Carla OBrien, 73, of High Ridge hopes to launch a new Kiwanis Club in the Hwy. 30 corridor area.
“We are not organized yet; we have been in the community talking to people about what we’re trying to accomplish and to interest people in becoming members of the club,” she said.
OBrien said the club probably would be named Kiwanis Club of Northwest Jefferson County, but the name is not set in stone.
She said the club has to have at least 15 members to officially open, but she hopes to have 20 members to start. She said the club would probably meet monthly.
OBrien said she already has 10 people interested, including herself.
She said she has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Gravois-St. Louis County for 15 years and wanted to start a club closer to home. She is the governor of the Kiwanis Clubs in Missouri and Arkansas.
“I really felt like it would be good to have something out in this area,” she said.
OBrien said the club will focus on children.
“All kids need extra help and support but I think potentially even more so in our own area here,” she said. “Particularly in the Hwy. 30 corridor, there are a lot more mental health needs. There are more food insecurity needs.”
OBrien said she has been visiting with community stakeholders, emergency response leaders, and school leaders to find out more about the community needs.
She said once the club is formed, members will vote to decide which issues to focus on first.
OBrien said if the group is organized in time she hopes to hold a breakfast with Santa event.
OBrien said she hopes to also start a Key Club, which is a Kiwanis club for high schoolers.
OBrien said she welcomes anyone interested in the club to attend its first meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the High Ridge Fire Protection District geadquarters, 2842 High Ridge Blvd.
Anyone interested in the club should reach out to Barb Thompson, membership chair for Kiwanis Clubs in Missouri and Arkansas, at 314-780-4464 or at barbthompson4kiwanis@gmail.com.
OBrien said members pay $120 in dues each year. However, for those who were a member of either the Key Club or the Circle K club for college students, dues cost $35 a year for the first two years.