"Labor of Love" Behind Kiwanis Auction

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Created on Monday, 17 March 2014 13:45

Written by Tyler Dumont

ST. JOHNSBURY - When area children started losing their lives, claimed by the waters of area rivers and lakes, the St. Johnsbury Kiwanis organization knew they needed a safer alternative for family fun.

"In 1939 to 1944, you know even during World War Two, there were a group of people...mainly because of the kids that were drowing in the rivers around here. They felt that we needed to have a pool," said Dexter Willson.

 Willson, now president of the St. Johnsbury Kiwanis chapter, told News 7 how the club took action. Throughout the war, they got building materials together and constructed the pool. On July 23, 1944, the Kiwanis Pool was opened for the first time.

Today, it remains just next to the St. Johnsbury School off Western Avenue. But, what hasn't changed is the challenge of ensuring that the club can keep it free to those who use it. Maintaining and operating the pool costs between $50,000 and $60,000 according to Willson, a majority of which is covered by donations.

And that's where the annual Kiwanis Auction comes in.

"We do this because we need the money to run that pool," said Kiwanian David Miller.

The auction - offering items from hearing aids, to baseballs signed by Red Sox players and even custom-made Maple tables - has been held for decades and started on radio. Today, it's broadcast live on KATV Channel 7 and on several radio stations.

But despite the donations and help from the town, the club says they've had to struggle with the downflow of the economy.

"Like everybody else goes through right now, it is a tough economic time and we're having to pull up our boot strings so to speak and just work harder at it," Miller said.

But to the Kiwanis volunteers, working hard is part of the challenge they love.

"All that can you can see right here and all that we do down to the pool is really a labor of love," Willson said. "We love doing it. It's a lot of work, but we love doing it and we know what we're working for - and we all know what we're working for - it's all for the kids, and it makes a lot of difference."

Volunteers say they believe their St. Johnsbury pool is the only privately-owned facility in the country that is completely free to use.

The Kiwanis Auction airs from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.