Leaders Depart, But Their Contributions Live On

The Kids on the Block family has included many exceptional people in its 24 years. With the combined magnetic attraction of educating children and simply having fun, KOB has been known to draw people in and keep them for the long haul. Recently, three troupes learned their coordinators would be stepping down.

The Kids on the Block of Middle Tennessee grew from a mother's commitment to her son. Alva Duke’s son, Adam was born with Down syndrome and severe heart complications. Even though Adam was only on this earth for a short time, his life proved to be very powerful. After Adam’s death, Alva had the desire to change attitudes. She wanted to help people become more accepting of individuals with disabilities.

In 1981 her goal became a reality when Alva established The Kids on the Block of Middle Tennessee. In their first year, the troupe performed for over five thousand children. Today, KOB of Middle Tennessee serves over 200 schools and educates more than 70,000 children annually.

Alva has dedicated 20 years of her life to raising public awareness through KOB and has retired from her position as executive director. She will continue to be involved with KOB of Middle Tennessee by taking a position on their board.

In Bowling Green, Kentucky, Alice Kummer founded Bowling Green Kids on the Block with a little encouragement from a friend and funding from the local Women's Club. They embarked on their first performance in January, 1986, with Alice serving as executive director to a program staffed by four volunteer puppeteers.

Alice held the position of executive director until stepping down earlier this year. While heading up her program, Alice has helped her troupe, now called South Central Kentucky Kids on the Block, grow into something bigger than she could have ever imagined. Currently, the troupe has seven paid staff positions, and a cast of 34 puppet characters appearing in 20 programs. Their large annual fundraiser, The Adopt-A-Puppet Program garners much of the troupes yearly operating budget.

Although Alice is no longer serving as executive director, she hasn't gone far. She now volunteers under the title of public relations coordinator. The position is a 20 hour a week job, but according to her colleagues, she tends to sneak in 5 or 10 extra hours. Eventually, Alice and her husband may do some traveling.

Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block got a new executive director ten years ago by the name of Robbye Lewis. The troupe was already up and running, but it was Robbye who took it to the next level. She helped to fine tune the group until it was a well oiled machine. She negotiated with local department stores who helped launch CKOB's gift wrap fund raiser. Notes longtime staff member and current CKOB Executive Director, Betsy Holder, "It was Robbye who was directly responsible for the three highest grossing years of our annual gift wrap fund raiser."

Robbye not only wanted CKOB to educate children within the community, but to be a great place for a puppeteer to work as well. She created rules and regulations, job descriptions and established health benefits for the staff. Since leaving CKOB, Robbye has been making time for herself and her family. She hopes to do some traveling sometime soon but is presently spending her time assisting her husband with his catering business.

Aric-James Darroe

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