Half a Century of Giving
Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club
Celebrates 50 Years of Impact
By: Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
The Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club recently celebrated a remarkable milestone —50 years of service to the youth and community of Ashland, Kentucky. Founded on November 12, 1974, the club has dedicated half a century to improving the lives of young people and enriching the community through its many impactful programs. From its early days to the present, the club’s unwavering commitment to service has made a lasting difference. Notable among its initiatives is the BUG Program (Bring Up Grades), a long-standing effort that recognizes and motivates students to improve their academic performance.
Even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club demonstrated extraordinary resilience. The dedication of its members helped the club not only adapt to the changing times but thrive in the face of adversity. This adaptability is a testament to the enduring spirit of the club’s mission.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club hosted a special luncheon on November 12 at the Ashland Transportation Center. Bill Burch, one of the founding members, spoke passionately about the significance of the day. “This luncheon is an opportunity to observe this special occasion, encourage our members to remember our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a promising future,” he shared.
During the celebration, Matt Perkins, Mayor of Ashland, presented the club with a proclamation declaring November 12 as “Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Day” in the city of Ashland. This recognition highlighted the club’s extraordinary contributions to the community over the years.
The Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club originally began as a male-only organization, focused on meeting the needs of children in the area. Women were not permitted to join until 1987, when Cynthia Champer became the first female member. Champer quickly began recruiting other women, and one of her first recruits was Lynn Hutchinson. Hutchinson, who has been a committed member of the club ever since, has made significant contributions both locally and statewide within the Kiwanis organization.
Over the years, Hutchinson has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Governor and Lieutenant Governor (three times), and as the third woman to ever serve as Governor. She has also served as President of the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club and currently holds the position of District Administrator, overseeing the Kentucky and Tennessee districts of Kiwanis. Reflecting on her early days with the club, Hutchinson recalled, “I didn’t realize it when I joined the club that women hadn’t always been allowed the opportunity to join. I started in 1989 as Key Club advisor. I didn’t even know what the Kiwanis Club was, but I liked the concept of students leading the meetings and choosing projects.”
The Key Club has been one of the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club’s most impactful programs. Sponsored by Kiwanis, the Key Club is a civic club for high school students. While women were able to join the Key Club in the 1970s, the adult Kiwanis clubs were still male-only until the 1987 policy change. Today, the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club sponsors several youth-oriented programs, including the Key Club at Boyd County High School, the Builders Club at Boyd County Middle School, the K-Kids program at Fairview Elementary School, and the Aktion Club for adults with disabilities. The club also co-sponsors programs at Rose Hill and Fairview.
One of the club’s goals for its 50th anniversary was to complete 50 service projects—one for each year of the club’s existence. At the luncheon, it was announced that the club had not only met that goal but surpassed it, having completed far more than 50 projects over the past five decades.
Jacqui Thornburg, a former President of the club and a member for over 30 years, shared her reflections on the club’s impact. “Having the opportunity to work with kids through the various projects we do has been such a blessing over the years. I really love our BUG Program, where we go into schools and give kids recognition for bringing up their grades. It has been so rewarding to be part of that,” she said. Thornburg was introduced to the club by Bill Burch, one of the founders, and her connection to the club is deeply personal. “I was in education in Ashland, and many of the original members were also in education,” she added.
Steve Towler, another dedicated member, recalled the club’s humble beginnings. “The Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club was started because so many educators wanted to be part of the Kiwanis movement but couldn’t attend the evening meetings. So, the decision was made to start a breakfast club, so everyone had the opportunity to join. The funny thing is, we never actually had breakfast!” Towler's anecdote highlights the sense of camaraderie and lightheartedness that has been a hallmark of the club's enduring success.
For 50 years, the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club has brought together individuals who share a passion for making a difference in their community. As the club looks to the future, its members remain committed to their mission of serving youth and improving the lives of those around them. With a track record of more than 50 completed service projects and a legacy of positive change, the Ashland Breakfast Kiwanis Club’s next 50 years are sure to be just as impactful as its first.
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