The Kiwanis Club of Vidalia joined clubs around the globe in celebrating 100 years of service, and Friday night, the local club hosted a well-attended event.

Kiwanis President Jason Davis said there are over 100 members or Kiwanians in the local club and said that Young Children is Priority #1 for the organization.

Olivia Warnock is a third generation Kiwanian in the Vidalia Club and says, “Our club has been around well over 40 years. It’s amazing to celebrate Kiwanis across the world. Kiwanis Clubs are constantly giving back to children. In our club, we sponsor scholarships, support the Boy Scouts, and the B.U.G. (Bringing Up Grades) program. I think we should celebrate youth not just every 100 years, but every day.”

Many attendees to Friday night’s celebration were dressed in red and black, and that’s because of who the special guest speaker was: A Kiwanian himself, 1982 Heisman Trophy Winner and UGA phenom, Herschel Walker, who addressed the gathering not as a candidate for the United States Senate, but as a football legend.

Walker closed his presentation by saying, “We get knocked down, but God says, ‘Get up just one more time!’ Folks, I’ve been through that my entire life. But I’ve grabbed the shovel, and no one is going to stop me. My Lord Jesus Christ has prepared me for this time right here, and I’m looking forward to it.”