The following are a list of Local Civic groups and Organizations that express their desires for our neighborhoods and community. They organize Charitable events and fund raisers, seek discussion and congeal the ideas on those projects most valuable to our community.
Learn the perspectives of our local Civic Organizations.
The club was chartered September 9, 1952. Its list of members was composed of some of the city’s most progressive individuals and included Dr. D.R. Tombaugh, John Costa, John Dersch, and Robert Mobley. Dr. Tombaugh is an advisor to the club and a lifetime member. Mount Carmel Lions Club is a chapter of Lions Club International, which was founded in the United States on June 17, 1917 by Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman. Mr. Jones’ personal code was “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else.” Thus our motto, “We Serve.” Our programs include sight, hearing, speech conservation, and support of our local community to improve the quality of life of our citizens.
Some of our largest projects include land acquisition and development for Mount Carmel City Park and the securing of $150,000 in grants and fundraisers for development of the County Park and Lake Froman. The list of other projects is too long to mention but includes three $500 scholarships annually, restoration of the war memorial at the court house, many cash donations in support of youth programs, and continued improvement and upkeep of the county park.
The Lions Radio Auction will be taking place the first of May for 3 days on WSJD 100.5 FM. Be sure to listen and bid. We are looking for new members, so stop by the auction and talk to a member if you are interested in joining an active club.
Rotary Club of Mount Carmel
The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA, was formed on 23 February 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.
The Rotary Club of Mount Carmel continues this spirt with many charitable events and fundraisers through out the year.
The annual Mt. Carmel Rotary Corn Day is always held in the air-conditioned Mabel Courter Youth Center. Amazingly, this event has over 54 years of history. Making it one of the longest continuous community events in Mount Carmel. The first Rotary Corn Day was held in 1965 at Bluff City Park and there has been an annual Rotary Corn Day ever since.
Corn Day is the major fund raising project for the Mount Carmel Rotary Club, and proceeds from the event go to fund various community and humanitarian endeavors. Each year approximately 1,500 people are served at Corn Day.
Kiwanis International
Was founded in 1915 by a group of businessmen in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The organization was originally called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers but changed its name to Kiwanis a year later.
The name “Kiwanis” was coined from an American Indiana expression, “Nunc Kee-wanis,” which means, “We trade.” In 1920, the motto of Kiwanis became “We Build.” It remained the motto until 2005, when members voted to change it to “Serving the children of the world.” In the early years, members focused on business networking but in 1919, the organization changed its focus to service — specifically service to children.
Kiwanis became an international organization with the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916. Kiwanis clubs formed in communities across the United States and Canada until the 1960s, when worldwide expansion was approved. Today, Kiwanis clubs are helping children thrive, prosper and grow in nearly 80 nations and geographic locations.
The local Mt. Carmel Kiwanis Chapter is continuously helping our community and working towards a better tomorrow for the children of Wabash County. Each year the Kiwanis donate funds to benefit sports programs and education within our district.
If not for the Mt. Carmel Kiwanis we would not have the services of our local Animal Shelter. This local organization not only raised over $100,000 for the project, they also donated their time and manpower to help build it.
The Kiwanis are known for pitching in and helping-out with other building projects in the area as well. The organization has erected shelter houses in our local city park and completed reservations needed along the way.
There are a few fundraisers the Kiwanis are doing each year to fund these generous projects. In 1925 Pancake Day was established. This is an all-you-can-eat pancake dinner that is hosted in October each year, all proceeds are dedicated to community projects.
The Kiwanis are also hosting some fun and memorable community events. For decades the Kiwanis have brought joy to the children in our community by hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt held each year in the Mt. Carmel City Park. This event gives children the opportunity to hunt for candy-filled eggs and win Retail Merchant gift checks. In 2014 the first Downhill Derby was enjoyed by the community, as onlookers watch area locals race their homemade soap box derby race cars down 3rd Street in Mt. Carmel. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
As a community we are fortunate to have the Mt. Carmel Kiwanis. We appreciate the efforts they are putting forth to continuously make Wabash County a great place to reside.
The Mt. Carmel Elks Lodge #715
Had its beginnings on January 15, 1901, when it was granted dispensation for a Lodge to be known as Mt. Carmel, Illinois Lodge #715. On August 14, 1902, 20 men became charter members of the Mt. Carmel Lodge. Today there are 389 members, with membership open for men and women. There are 2,000 lodges in the nation with more than 850,000 members. Marge Dallas became the current Exalted Ruler in April 2014, succeeding Charles Acree who had served in that office since 2009. The Lodge opens at 3:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday, with evening dining offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
The principles of Charity, Fidelity, Justice, and Brotherly Love are exemplified in a multitude of activities which the Elks sponsor each year at the local, state, and national level. Elks continue to show that Elks Care – Elks Share! Many opportunities are offered for our community through the grants made available through the Elks National Foundation. A few years ago the Mt. Carmel Lodge was second in the nation per capita per member in donations to the National Foundation, and in 2012-13 was the leading Lodge in Illinois in donations to the National Foundation. The Foundation helps build stronger communities by investing in communities where Elks live and work; providing tomorrow’s leaders, our youth, with lifelong skills; honoring the Elks’ pledge to never forget our veterans; helping the state Elks associations accomplish their charitable objectives; and funding Lodge projects that improve the quality of life in local Elks communities. Many local students have benefited from the Elks National Most Valuable Student and Legacy Scholarships through the years. The Elks National Foundation awards $3.74 million each year in scholarships. Local projects/activities of the Elks are the Flag Day Ceremony, Veterans Programs, Americanism Essay Contest, Drug Awareness Program, Easter Bunny Program, Hoop Shoot Contest, and the Children’s Care Corporation. Mt. Carmel Lodge #715 is proud to be a part of the Illinois Lodges who contributed $295,625 to the Children’s Care Corporation last year. About $186,000 was awarded in scholarships to 115 Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students. More than $400,000 was spent that year assisting children’s needs and scholarships. Free Children’s Care Clinics are sponsored across the nation, with the Wabash General Hospital Orthopedic Clinic hosting four of those clinics in 2015. Officers of the local Lodge have joined with other Elks at the State meetings to assemble care packages for Illinois soldiers overseas.
The Mt. Carmel Elks Lodge proudly continues to sponsor the local Hoop Shoot Contest. The Hoop Shoot Contest is the largest coeducational sports program in the country, which draws more than 350,000 participants annually.
The Mt. Carmel Lodge is pleased to join in striving to carry out the Elks motto: “ELKS CARE-ELKS SHARE!”
Is a fraternal club that has been part of our community for several years. Throughout those years the Eagles Club has provided great service to the community and hosted many events for the benefit of not only its members but also many others. The Eagles Club has proven that they enjoy helping others and are always looking for both male and female members who are interested in becoming part of a great organization. The public is not only welcome but also encouraged to fill out an application for membership at any time.
Recently the Eagles Club welcomed a new manager to the establishment. Ms. Judy Keeling is working hard to bring new and great ideas to the club while assuring that customer service remains the top priority. The club has also welcomed two Wabash County natives, and well-known chefs, Lois Frayzer and Julia Henson to the team. Lois and Julia are ready to prepare something tasty for you and your family everyday of the week.
The Eagles features breakfast daily from 8am-10am, and home cooked plate lunch specials Monday – Friday 11am – 1:30pm. On Friday and Saturday evenings Lois and Julia are preparing a variety of premium supper specials from 5pm- 8:30pm including 12oz Dewigs steaks, shrimp, and smoked pork chops. On Wednesday nights the club hosts Taco Night, featuring plate sized tacos, chicken fajitas, chips and cheese, and more! The kitchen also offers other delicious options from the menu such as appetizers, soups, salads, and sandwiches at lunch and supper times. The dinning room is always open to the public and everyone is welcomed with hospitable servers ready to help make your experience the best!
The Eagles not only has a great dinning room but also offers great entertainment options to their members. On Friday and Saturday evenings the club features the D.J. and entertainer Jim Nation. The club is equipped with 5 Illinois Gaming Machines, 2 pool tables, and 4 large televisions for sporting events. The Eagles is well staffed with friendly and helpful bartenders who are happy to serve members and offer drink specials!
The Eagles also has a lovely venue for your next class reunion, group meeting, company demonstration, or family wedding. Their banquet room is large in size, offers clean facilities, and is always available for bookings not only to members but to the public as well. The banquet room also has the option for its occupants to provide a full-service bar and catering service to its guests upon request.
The Mission of Wabash Valley Youth in Action, Inc. is to work with parents, families, schools, and the community to promote and enhance the physical, mental and moral well-being of area youth.
Wabash Valley Youth in Action, Inc., believes that no one- regardless of age, race or religion should be turned away from all we have to offer because of inability to pay.
A philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of its member clubs’ service to local and international communities; community improvement; and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.
Mount Carmel VFW Post 4276
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.
We trace our roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service. Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.
In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations that would eventually band together and become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. Today, membership stands at more than 1.6 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary.
Our voice was instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development of the national cemetery system, in the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, we won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active duty service members, and members of the guard and reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We were the driving force behind the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, and continually fight for improved VA medical centers services for women veterans.
Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, in 2005 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010. And in 2015, we became the first supporter of the National Desert Storm War Memorial which is planned for construction at our nation's capital.
We have many programs and services that work to support veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide. Please check out our latest fact sheet or spend some time browsing our site to learn why No One Does More For Veterans.
Mount Carmel American Legion
Members and volunteers step up to advance our mission of service to veterans, military and their families! The American Legion Family has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans, helped military families through transition and produced many important programs for our country’s youth. Today, members across the country are helping military families cope with the effects of multiple deployments. The toll on our all-volunteer force and their families has been enormous.