The West Side Nut Club gave $165,600 to local non-profit groups at the Nut Club's annual Founder's Day held Tuesday May 4, 2010 at Burdette Park's Discovery Lodge.  Despite some of the worst weather seen in recent years during the October Fall Festival (the West Side Nut Club's largest fund raiser) the Nut Club was able to pinch it's own pennies to help make sure that some of the recipients of the donations didn't have to. "(the weather) did make a major impact but the guys cut budgets and lowered all kinds of expenses this year to make sure this night is possible and at the level it is and I just want to thanks the membership for all it's done" said West Side Nut Club President Dan Lewis.

2010 Founder's Day Chairman Mike Lear started the meeting off by welcoming the guest to the dinner and then turned the microphone over to the Reverend Gene Backes who gave the invocation.  After the meal it was time to get down to what the Nut Club is all about and that is giving back to the community.

As the donations were handed out the highlight of the night came from Easter Seals representative Zach Harris who said "On behalf of the Easter Seals I want to thank you very much.  It feels good to be in front of all my west side friends.  This donation goes along way in helping so many people with disabilities and other types of injuries, not only kids but adults as well.  This donation will help Easter Seals give everybody a better chance at life.  Without you guys this wouldn't be possible."

Shaw handed out donations to the following groups:
$1500 WNIN
$2000 German Township Fire Department
$2000 Perry Township Fire Department
$2500 Historic New Harmony
$2500 YMCA
$2500 Burdette Park
$3000 Holly's House

West Side Nut Club Vice President Alan Schaffstein was next on the program and gave the following donations:
$3000 Easter Seals
$3000 Evansville ARC
$3000 West Branch Library
$4000 CASA
$4000 Wish Upon A Star
$5000 Boys and Girls Club
$6000 USI Athletics

The final presenter of the night was West Side Nut Club President Dan Lewis and the following groups that he gave donations to were:
$7500 Riding Hope
$12500 Evansville Area High Schools (7)
$28800 Evansville West Parochial and Lutheran Grade Schools (8)
$28800 Evansville West Public Grade Schools
$20000 Mater Dei High School
$20000 Reitz High School

Also mentioned was the 2010 spring project which will be the refurbishment of the Howell Park Miniature Golf Course and Clubhouse.  $4000 plus several hundred man hours from the West Side Nut Club will go towards the project.

Over the years, the West Side Nut Club has donated $4,131,273.80 to various charities benefiting the Evansville Community.  To see a break down of just some of the charities benefited, click here.

The annual fall festival is a time we hope that not only the west side of Evansville can take pride in but the whole community as well.  Money generated from booth rental and ride tickets not only goes to support the festival so the Nut Club can continue to put on this great event, but there are several charities throughout the community that rely on and benefit from the generosity of the community and the West Side Nut Club.

The West Side Nut Club's Mission Statement reads as follows:

The purpose of this club shall be to initiate, promote and support any and all movements which are for the betterment of the West Side of Evansville, Indiana; also for the betterment of Evansville as a whole; to meet regularly, thereby creating a better acquaintanceship and a better social and business life; also the Club, as a body shall avoid all religious and political entanglement.  It will not support any political candidates, but will lend it's full support to all movements, legislative and otherwise, which are without question for the betterment of the community as a whole.

Click here for the 2010 Founder's Day Photo Album

Click here for the 2010 Founder's Day Video