As the current school year starts to count down, the Kiwanis Club of Victoria (KCoV) is also winding down its latest year as a sponsor of the Greater Victoria School Crosswalk Guard program.
In 1935, KCoV began providing crossing guard equipment to Victoria, Saanich and Sidney area schools, and that continues today.
As part of our program, we also invite student volunteers recognized by their school for exemplary commitment to the guard program, to our weekly luncheon.
The kids are given a certificate, a patch, and one of our world-famous pens. The school kids are accompanied by their local community affairs police officer (unfortunately, flashing lights and sirens not included).
The local police forces have had an equally long and positive connection with the guard program.
To conclude the current year, on June 23 our club will host all the kids at our annual recognition event at a Victoria HarbourCats baseball game.
Over the past 81 years, literally thousands of kids have participated in the school guard program. It seems in any group larger then five, inevitably at least one of the individuals has participated.
At one event that I attended several years ago, the two Victoria councillors in attendance both discussed their guard involvement, with fond memories.
In addition to the guard program, KCoV hosts a year-end student recognition luncheon to honour graduating students from seven high schools who are selected for outstanding achievement.
Finally, KCoV funds six annual bursaries at the University of Victoria and Camosun College for eligible students. The club also presents a scholarship to a Claremont secondary school student for excellence in service to their community.
So, KCoV may be small – and perhaps not as well known as we’d like – but I think it’s more than fair to say that, together as a family, local Kiwanians “punch above their weight” in serving the needs of the kids in our community.
Dave Poje
Saanich