Giving back to the youth of Carter County and Elizabethton just comes natural for one civic organization.

Kiwanis Club of Elizabethton is putting the final touches on their second annual chili dinner, scheduled to take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. at First Christian Church in downtown Elizabethton.

Spearheaded by Chili Master Tim Broyles, the dinner is coordinated with the Downtown Christmas parade so that attendees can enjoy a meal while taking in the holiday cheer. Chili is $5 and comes with all the fixings. With the church being within walking distance from the parade, take-out or dine-in options are available.

Bekah Price, Kiwanis Club member, stated that tickets can be purchased from a group member prior to the event or can be bought at the door.

The idea for the dinner came with ease, Broyles recently told the Elizabethton Star. The chili master helps cook breakfast at his church each Saturday and decided the ability to hold a dinner would help further the club’s mission of giving back to the community.

Just a few ago, the Kiwanians were able to reap the rewards of another successful pancake breakfast. The goal for the chili dinner, Broyles said, is to have it become annual staple of bringing the community together for fellowship, like the 50-plus year-old pancake brunch.

All proceeds from the events will be used for the organization’s work with different children’s charities and groups within the community.

Since their creation in 1928, the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club has grown to include Key Club branches at Unaka and Elizabethton High Schools, along with K-Kids Clubs at East Side, West Side and Harold McCormick Elementary, which encourages children to get involved with their community with different projects.

Along with involvement at the schools, members also focus their attention to several children-based organization within the community. Each calendar year, Kiwanis Club holds various fundraisers and organizes different events for children – including the annual Special Needs Picnic – a free event for area children with needs to come out and enjoy time with one another.

Individuals wanting to learn more about the organization are encouraged to visit elizabethtonkiwanisclub.org or the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club Facebook page.