It’s August, and these warm summer days remind us that it’s time for the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club’s annual Classic Car Show – on Saturday, Aug. 19 this year. Cars start showing up at 8 a.m. at Memorial Athletic Field in Port Townsend, with gates opening to the public at 9 a.m. Car owners may save time and money by pre-registering with Tommy Dodd, event chair, at

tommy.dodd@att.net or 916-626-2981. The car show is a major fundraiser for all of the club’s projects involving youth in the area, from scholarships to sponsoring local youth groups.

We’re also looking forward to starting a new leadership program for middle-school-age students this fall. The program is known as the Builders Club, and is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club and facilitated by the YMCA of Jefferson County. Two introductory meetings are planned for interested students and parents in the YMCA’s multipurpose room on the Mountain View campus. The meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. on two Wednesdays, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13. The Builders Club is a youth-led after-school club designed to help students between 12 and 14 years of age find opportunities to perform service, develop leadership skills and build character. More information is available by calling 360-385-5811.

The club extends its appreciation to everyone who came out to our Christmas in July Tiki Party last week with FreddyPink. It was so much fun, and we raised a lot of money for our Toys for Tots program and Christmas for Children. Thank you to everyone who bid on the amazing auction items and donated to the programs! Also, a big thank-you to the merchants who donated the auction items. In December, I’ll write about all the good that is to be done for local children with the proceeds from the party. We’re looking forward to next year.

After the car show, the next big club project is Haunt Town, which again is held at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge on the last two weekends of October. The theme this year is “Tales of the Twisted.” Actors, builders and decorators are needed, and those interested may contact project chairs Steve and Christy Spencer at sspencer534@gmail.com or 360-774-0879. More information and the Build & Decorate calendar is on Facebook at “Haunt Town.” The first build meeting takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St. All are welcome to join us and see what it’s all about.

There are always fun things going on with the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club to keep members busy and having loads of fun together. We’re looking forward to our projects coming in the fall and winter. More information is to come on those in the future. You can certainly join us – there is definitely lots of room for people interested in serving our communities. Also, please come visit us at our booth at the Jefferson County Fair, Aug. 11-13.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. It’s easy to obtain information about the club by visiting the website at ptkiwanis.org or sending an email to

porttownsendkiwanis@gmail.com. The club also welcomes businesses, organizations and individuals to present a 15- to 20-minute program during the club’s weekly meeting. Contact the program chair Marilou Sullivan at 360-301-1271 or email to: aboutaccommodations@olympus.net to arrange a date.