At the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro meeting on October 10, 2024 Connie Turner Saunders was recognized for her exceptional service and commitment to the community. A long-time member of the club, Saunders was honored as a 2024 Kiwanis Fair honoree, following in the footsteps of her father, JD Turner, who received the same award in 2021.

A member of the Kiwanis Club since 2012, Saunders is known for her tireless efforts in organizing the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair. Her passion is ensuring that children with special needs can enjoy Mass, a mission that has been close to her heart for many years. Bobby Turner, the fair's chairman, praised Saunders for her unwavering commitment. “Connie’s commitment to the fair and her advocacy for children with special needs have had a profound impact on our community,” he said.

A graduate of Hephzibah High School and Georgia Southern, Saunders retired as a counselor at Portal Middle High School and is actively involved in Portal First Baptist Church, where she serves as pianist. Her recognition at the Kiwanis meeting was a warm recognition of her years of community service in numerous causes and organizations.

In her acceptance speech, Saunders expressed her appreciation for the honor, saying, “I really appreciate it. We may be older, but that just means we’ve been around long enough to know the importance of giving back.”

The Kiwanis Club of Statesboro meeting was full of lively conversations, reflections on history and preparation for the upcoming Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair.

The meeting began with a mix of historical trivia, humor and memories. They touched on significant events like World Mental Health Day and Hug a Drummer Day, while also peppering the speech with light-hearted jokes about local rivalries, including Georgia Southern's win over Georgia State. The crowd laughed as they learned some fun historical facts, including the birth of NFL legend Brett Favre in 1969 and Google's acquisition of YouTube in 2006.

As the conversation shifted to business, members were reminded of the importance of supporting causes like the Reach Scholarship Program. Sam Gaston of the Kiwanis presented a check presentation on behalf of the Kiwanis Board of Education to support the Bulloch County Reach program, which provides mentorship and scholarships to promising students. Akilah King And Keith Wilkey explained the impact of the program, noting that many Reach scholars go on to become first-generation college students and some pursue advanced degrees in fields such as medicine and veterinary science.

With the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair just days away, the meeting also focused heavily on preparations for the event. Bobby Turner, The trade fair chairman emphasized the need for volunteers and outlined tasks for the smooth running of the trade fair. “It’s all hands on deck,” he said, encouraging members to help with everything from setting up booths to hanging signs. The club also prepared for its traditional Mass, where Connie Turner Saunders stepped forward to be honored as this year's honoree.

Saunders, a dedicated member since 2012, was praised for her tireless work to make the fair accessible to children with special needs. Her father, JD Turner, received the same award in 2021, making the recognition a family tradition. In her acceptance speech, Saunders expressed her gratitude and commitment to the community, saying, “I really appreciate it. We may be older, but that just means we’ve been around long enough to know the importance of giving back.”

Beyond fair preparations, members were reminded of the importance of service and the impact of their efforts on local initiatives. They celebrated the club's recent Gold Distinguished Club Award, a significant achievement that reflects their commitment to the community. In addition, the association recognized Jeremy Wilburn, Jim Thibodeau and Gwen Yarbrough for completing Kiwanis International's Amplify Leadership Training Program, which will continue to help build strong leadership within the club.

Brent TharpDirector of the Georgia Southern University Museum, introduced Project Eaglet, an initiative that provides local students with hands-on STEM experiences. This program brings approximately 4,000 first through fifth graders to the university each year, where they participate in activities at the Botanical Garden, Planetarium, Museum and Wildlife Center. The goal is to improve students' understanding of science through interactive learning outside of the traditional classroom.

Funded for five years by a $120,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club, Project Eaglet covers admission, materials and transportation, ensuring accessibility for all students. Tharp emphasized how important transportation is to the success of the program, especially for students with limited financial resources. The initiative also involves Georgia Southern education students, providing them with hands-on experience in teaching and promoting STEM activities.

The Eaglet Project has attracted attention beyond Bulloch County as its success has been announced at professional conferences. Tharp encouraged Kiwanis members to volunteer with the program, underscoring the club's important role in providing meaningful educational opportunities for local children.

Finally, the meeting focused on prayer requests for those affected by the recent storms in Florida and North Carolina. As members prepared to leave, they were reminded that the Kiwanis mission of serving children and the community is at the heart of everything they do. Whether through the fair or other charitable causes, members left inspired and ready to give back.