My involvement with Kiwanis began over 30 years ago when my realtor and wife conspired to 'get me out of the house' on Monday nights. It worked, all too well. Over the years, I have taken advantage of the artistic and theatrical abilities of my three daughters to provide fill-in programs for meeting nights, partners for fundraisers, and potential members of High School key clubs. It was a pleasant surprise when my middle daughter Sarah announced her college roommate, Kate Richards, talked her into helping form the Dulles Area Kiwanis Club near Reston, Va. I invited myself to attend the Charter Day ceremony and feeling a bit of a crasher, felt I had better find a gift to bring at least.

Kiwanis International provides a box of essentials to all new clubs, so the standard items were covered. One thing that I have enjoyed over the years has been the concept of Happy Dollar. One, it encourages the members to think of things that made them happy during the past week or two. Two, it raises a few bucks for the club admin account. Three (and most importanty), it shuts up long-winded Kiwanians by making them pay for the opportunity to bore the rest of us to tears. It really is a surprise KI does not include a happy dollar container in the new club box, but then that would take all the fun out of it.

Most clubs have boxes of various origins, hand made or reworked at least. Most sport items glued to the surface (notably a well-used dollar bill). Thus inspired, I found a nice cigar box at a local "antiques" shop that would serve just fine. As I was explaining the function of the Happy Dollar process, the helpful clerk suggested a small square box of mysterious function inscribed Kimpo Korea '52-'53. It had a slot in the top, perfect for a dollar bill, and the cigar box was quickly replaced.

A quick Google on Kimpo revealed a small Air Force base constructed mainly of tents near Seoul, Korea as the probable origin of the box. A few trial runs revealed that once inside, the happy dollar would never come out without a lot of coaxing. With a bit of careful inspection, it became clear the original purpose of the box was to dispense cigarettes...one at a time...to prevent visitors from grabbing a handful at a time. A bored airman, with time on his hands and a few scraps of discarded plywood, created an object of needed purpose.

What better end for what must have been an object handled fondly by thousands, than to end up as a Happy Dollar Box? A quick cleaning and a few hinges on a relocated top provided the box. A new shiny 'gold' coin glued on with gorilla glue provided the suggested intent. The happiness will be up to the new club.

For my own happiness, my daughter Sarah provided the first happy dollar, 'borrowed' from her husband, Will, both charter members of the Dulles Area Kiwanis Club.

Picture above is Phil Crow presenting New Club President, Heather Talbert, the DAK Happy Box.