Alex Paul
Ben Dahlenburg said he was both “totally unprepared and pleasantly surprised” during the recent Chamber of Commerce awards banquet to be honored as a Hixson Fellow by Kiwanis International.
Dahlenburg, a 25-year industrial arts teacher at SHHS, has been associated with Kiwanis and its high school version, the Key Club.
“I was the Key Club adviser for several years before joining Kiwanis,” Dahlenburg said. “I love the fact that the Kiwanis motto is ‘Children Priority 1′.”
Dahlenburg’s fellowship means he or the club has donated at least $1,000 toward the Kiwanis International Foundation, which focuses on providing funds to aid disaster relief and the international iodine deficiency disorder program for third world children.
If there’s a project, Dahlenburg can be counted on to pitch in. Whether it’s building a wheelchair ramp for a needy family, cooking hot dogs or bloomin’ onions at the Oregon Jamboree or getting down and dirty at the annual mud flats, Dahlenburg will likely be on hand. The annual community clean up also benefits from his efforts, which usually includes his three sons as well.
“We devote all of the proceeds from our food stand during the mud flats to the shoes for kids project,” Dahlenburg said. “That’s a great program. The thank you cards we get back from some of the kids are very touching.”
Dahlenburg has also served as an officer with the club and chaired several committees, but he’s especially looking forward to the day when he can take a turn as club president. That will come in a year after his retirement from teaching.
“I enjoy working with people,” Dahlenburg said. “I like being able to do good things for people.”
Dahlenburg said he thanks his wife Chris for her support of his civic projects. He’s also active at the Hillside Fellowship Church and the Foster Scouter’s Club.
He enjoys riding four-wheelers, fishing and hunting.