Millsboro Kiwanis benefit Feb. 3 includes viewing of ‘Groundhog Day’ at Clayton Theatre

The latest fundraising campaign of The Greater Millsboro Kiwanis Club is a Saturday matinee showing of the comedy/romance "Groundhog Day," to be shown Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Clayton Theatre in Dagsboro. While experiencing the same day over and over again, the main character (played by Bill Murray) learns - eventually - that life is about serving others. This is a point well understood by Kiwanians, whose members serve others again and again.

But when Darlene Phillips tells people she's with Kiwanis, she says a lot of them ask her what they do. "We're everywhere," she says.

"We do all sorts of things for the community." The local club embraces the international mission statement to "empower communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children." The longtime member and current president rattles off a list, starting with the school programs:

At the Long Neck and East Millsboro elementary schools, the club sponsors a Terrific Kids program which helps youngsters build character by encouraging and rewarding good behavior like looking out for others and doing good deeds. The club also sponsors a K-Kids program at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Oak Orchard and Dagsboro to learn the value of helping others through community service projects. And they sponsor a Key Club at Sussex Tech, a student-led community service organization for high school students.

They provide school supplies where needed, award bicycles to award-winning students, and offer bus fare to leadership training activities.

"We have a standing offer at schools," Phillips says. "If you need anything, give us a call."

They also donate to the Millsboro Scout Hut and the Millsboro Little League. They pick up trash along the roadway and participate in community activities like beach grass planting. They support the American Cancer Society through their Relay for Life Team. They do food drives for the Crisis House (an emergency shelter in Georgetown serving men, women and children), and they serve as bell ringers for the Salvation Army.

They invite guest speakers to their meetings to learn more about the needs of the community.

"That's very interesting," Phillips says. They've hosted paramedics, the chief of police, hospice representatives, the founders of Courageous Hearts equine-assisted psychotherapy, and Family Court staff seeking advocates for children.

Millsboro Kiwanis meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Georgia House restaurant in Millsboro, and newcomers are always welcome to sit in to see what it's like. Over the years, the club has taken on a number of interesting projects and fundraisers, from gathering 100 coats for those in need to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the international organization to a bounce-a-thon - an international project partnered with UNICEF that raised $110 million to reduce/eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.

For the tetanus project at the Boys & Girls Club, "They figured babies bounce, so let's do a bounce-a-thon to help babies," Phillips explains. "They made me get on a big, bouncy ball. The kids were all laughing. But,” she concedes, “it really was a lot of fun.”

They’ve had basket bingo fundraisers and, more recently, quarter auctions. “The quarter auctions are quite a big deal. We have great attendance at them,” Phillips says. They do them twice a year and, like all Kiwanis fundraisers, all the proceeds go directly to benefit the community.

She notes that the members run private yard sales and a 50/50 to raise money for administration fees, office supplies, etc.

“I’m looking forward to the movie,” Phillips says of the 25th Anniversary showing of the 1993 classic “Groundhog Day” Feb. 3 at the Clayton Theatre. “It’s going to be a good time. No doubt about that.”

Tickets are $10 per person, available at the door or by calling Millsboro Kiwanis at 302-747-6360. Doors open at noon for the fundraising hour, including a 50/50 drawing, gift card Chinese auction, and a special raffle for a Groundhog Day-themed gift basket. The theatre will also feature a special Groundhog Dog lunch special of a hot dog, chips, and a soda. The movie starts at 1 p.m. after the raffle drawings.