Kiwanis News

Spring awakening: 62nd annual Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival

Chris Hayworth — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:31:00 GMT

It’s a community blast – and a family tradition

By Martina Schimitschek
Published: March 4, 2010 in the Sign On San Diego, special to The San Diego Union-Tribune
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/04/spring-awakening-kite-fest/

Note: This story originally ran prior to the event.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - When Jim Nickel was in kindergarten at Warren Walker School in Ocean Beach, a group of men from the Ocean Beach Kiwanis came by his class and showed the kids how to make kites so they could fly them at the beach.

Each kid got a diamond-shaped piece of brown paper, some string, sticks, paste and rags for the tail. The kites took two days to assemble and a stiff wind to fly.

That was in 1948.

And the beginning of an Ocean Beach tradition.

On Saturday, Nickel, now a Point Loma area pathologist, will be helping his 4-year-old granddaughter make a kite at the 62nd annual Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival and Craft Fair.

"As far as we know, it's the oldest kite festival for children in the U.S.," said Melanie Nickel, Jim's wife and president of the Ocean Beach Kiwanis.

"My family has three generations of kite festival participants," Jim Nickel said. "That's very special."

The festival includes free kite-making kits, prizes for each grade and a parade to the beach where kids can fly their kites.

Children can come to the Ocean Beach Recreation Center between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and get all the materials needed to assemble a kite.

"It's a very different kite from the old days," Nickel said, "but the fun is still the same."

Kites are now made out of a white plastic, kind of like a thick garbage bag. They are shaped like a shield, a design provided by the San Diego Kite Club, with two tails. And they are guaranteed to fly.

"Any 2-year-old can fly this kite," Nickel said.

After the kites are decorated and assembled, children can go across the street to Ocean Beach Elementary School to test out their creations and enter them into the contest. At 1 p.m., prizes will be given to the best-decorated kite for each age group. There's even a community division for adults.

"It's small-time community event," Melanie Nickel said. "We peg it for families. It's something parents and kids can do together."

Besides the kites, the event will also have games and rides, including the ever-popular llamas, as well live music, craft booths and free hot dogs, punch and popcorn for kids. (Parents are expected to pay a small donation.)

The parade starts at 2 p.m., but don't expect a lot of fanfare. In typical OB style, it's very informal. Everyone is welcome to walk down Santa Monica Avenue to the beach.

It's part of the tradition.

School district dedicates weather station to Kiwanis

Chris Hayworth — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:24:00 GMT

Service club's donation paid for science equipment
Published: March 6, 2010 in Verde Independent
http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=35356

COTTONWOOD, ARIZONA - "Instead of telling kids that hot air rises, we show them it rises," said Keith Steele, science manager for C-OC. "Cottonwood-Oak Creek District is really committed to science."

That commitment recently got some help from the Clarkdale-Verde Kiwanis Club. It was the service club's grant that made the equipment for C-OC's new weather station possible.

"The Kiwanis put in $2,100," Steele said.

Some district officials joined Kiwanis members for breakfast and a dedication at 7 a.m. Thursday in the district's science building. Steele gave a presentation of how the new weather and science equipment will be used.

Superintendent Barbara U'Ren told the gathering that the district is thrilled to have the new weather station. "Our vision is for this to be our science center," she said. "This is the beginning of that."

The new science equipment is all weather related, good enough for the school district to have a fully operational weather station. "It is calibrated as a professional weather station," Steele said.

Teachers can access the data from every classroom. The weather equipment, computer software and ancillary materials and supplies will all tie in directly with curriculum. Some of it is interactive via computer, and some of it is hands on.

Lessons can be done on computer, through handouts or projects. The equipment gives air pressure, dew point, temperature, humidity and much more on current, real-time digital displays.

The new equipment will be used for all grade levels from kindergarten through eighth grade. Steele said Mingus Union High School can access the weather station.

It will be used for science, math and history. "It's important to tie weather in with history," Steele said. An example that he gave during his presentation was the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Steele said that by accessing the software at WeahterBug.com students can learn what weather conditions were likely on a given day of that historical expedition.

The district will also offer a class in weather forecasting.

Included in the package is video training for teachers. And teachers can develop their own instructional material. "Teachers can submit their own lesson plan for other teachers to use," Steele said.

Steele explained that the district only had to pay a one-time fee for the software and will not pay for updates. "The software is on their computer."

Even campus safety is included. Steele said the package includes 10 licenses for emergency weather alerts. Those will be distributed throughout the district's campuses.

Steele said this is the only such weather station in the area, the closest one being in Prescott. This weather station will be made available to the entire community through Internet links.

But the most important benefit of all this weather station equipment is what it will mean to the kids in all grade levels.

"Kids are naturally curious as to why weather happens," Steele said. "We thought we'd extend that by getting our own weather station."

Golden luau: Great excuse to dance

Chris Hayworth — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:38:00 GMT

By Sara Giboney
Published: March 8, 2010 in KearneyHub.com
http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/article_86fac1f8-2ae0-11df-8061-001cc4c002e0.html

KEARNEY, NEBRASKA - They arrived at the prom dressed in Hawaiian floral print shirts and dresses.

Each couple had their photo taken in front of a backdrop decorated with a beach scene and reading "Hawaiian Luau 2010."

Some partygoers talked with friends at their tables, which were decorated with sandboxes with mini umbrellas stuck in the sand.

Others enjoyed punch, coffee, fruit salad, Jell-O, cookies and a variety of meats and cheeses.

Many made their way to the dance floor with their partners.

The Hawaiian-luau-themed party was the 16th-annual Golden Age Prom Friday at the Petersen Senior Activity Center at Yanney Heritage Park.

"This is really wonderful," Winona Whitney said.

Whitney and longtime friend Helen Poole rode to the prom in a van with other residents of Prairie View Gardens.

The women, who went to high school together, took a moment to remember their high school proms.

Whitney graduated in 1939, and Poole graduated in 1940.

Whitney said she was the head of the decorating committee. Poole's date to her high school prom later became her husband.

The prom is organized by University of Nebraska at Kearney Circle K and Kiwanis members.

Circle K is the collegiate chapter of Kiwanis, a community service group. Circle K regularly works with the Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity.

The group has between 15 and 20 members.

"It gets us out in the community," said Circle K president Kelsey Coolidge. "It's exposure for college students to deal with a different age level."

Circle K students talked and danced with seniors during the prom.

"We think it's fun, we dressed for the party," prom attendee Jan Eickmeier said. She wore a dress she bought in Hawaii, and her date, Al Zikmund, wore a floral shirt he bought in Hawaii.

Jim Cudaback provided the music, and businesses donated items that were given away during the event.

"This is great. It's a fun place to meet new people and have a good time together," said Barb Laursen, who attended the Golden Age Prom for the first time this year with her husband, Harold.

The Laursens spent most of their time on the dance floor. Barb said the Golden Age Prom reminded her of the many winters she and her husband spent in Texas, where they often went dancing.

Kiwanis takes page from Dr. Seuss

Chris Hayworth — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:49:00 GMT

Volunteer readers visit Summers Elementary

By Leanne Tyo
Published: March 3, 2010 in Lake City Reporter.com
http://www.lakecityreporter.com/articles/2010/03/03/news/doc4b8dddd86430a832881876.txt

LAKE CITY, FLORIDA - Lake City Kiwanis Club members invested their time for the betterment of students' learning by reading to them on Tuesday.

Members of the club volunteered at Summers Elementary School to read Dr. Seuss' children's books to students for the National Education Association's Read Across America day.

Read Across America is an annual program held on March 2 - Dr. Seuss' birthday - that celebrates reading for children in communities across the nation, according to the organization's Web site.

Kyle Keen, vice president of the Lake City Kiwanis Club, said this is the fourth year the club has participated in Read Across America at Summers Elementary.

Keen said his wife - Brandi Keen, a third-grade teacher at Summers and this year's Columbia County Teacher of the Year - originally invited him and his boss - Ronnie Brannon, Columbia County tax collector - to participate in the program three years ago.

Since then, participation has spread throughout the Lake City Kiwanis Club.

Research has shown that students do better in school when they are motivated and spend more time reading, according to NEA officials.

"We like to read to the students to help them become better students," Keen said. "We're here to serve the children. Our goal is to serve the children in Columbia County."

Roger Parish, a Lake City Kiwanis Club member and a volunteer for the program, said reading to the kids is "just fun."

"I like hamming it up with them," Parish said. "They enjoy it even more when you act the story out."

Terri Metrick, principal at Summers Elementary, said the children "adore" the Kiwanis members for reading to them.

"They think it's wonderful to have other adults come and read," she said.

Strongsville kids get free books from Kiwanis Read Around the World event

Chris Hayworth — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:46:00 GMT

By Tara Quinn, Sun News
Published: March 3, 2010 in Cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/sunstarcourier/index.ssf/2010/03/strongsville_kids_get_free_boo.html

STRONGSVILLE, OHIO - Despite the nasty weather Saturday, many children showed up at the Cuyahoga County Public Library Strongsville branch to get a book and have fun with the "big kids."

The Kiwanis Club of Strongsville, the Key Club and two Kiwanis Builders Clubs, in conjunction with the library, gave the children the opportunity to fall in love with books at the Read Around the World event.

Read Around the World is a Kiwanis International project promoting a love of reading from an early age. "We believe every child should experience the joys of reading," said Ann Boehnke, editor of the Kiwanis Club of Strongsville newsletter. "This is a fun project for our clubs to participate in and we benefit by seeing the enjoyment the children get selecting a book to take home. It's fun to watch as they clutch a book to their chest and proclaim, ‘This is my book.'"

Students from the Sts. Joseph and John School Builders Club performed a puppet show and students from Center Middle School's Builders Club did face painting.

"While the puppet show and face-painting activities are popular, our major focus is on helping the children select a book from the array we have displayed and then reading it to them," Boehnke said. "Members from our Kiwanis Club, Key Club and both Builders Clubs read to the children. We encourage the children's parents to sit down and read to their kids during this time and many do."

Tim Protiva, head children's librarian at the Strongsville Library looks forward to the program every year. "I think it's nice when the community can see two organizations working together in the community," he said.

The Kiwanis Club of Strongsville is also involved in several community projects including the flags around the Strongsville Town Square, the annual golf outing, the Polaris Family Fun Fair and the Memory Bag Project for Strongsville School children who have lost an immediate family member. The members have supplied full pencil boxes and supplies for local needy kindergartners and children in Iraq and support local boy/girl scout troops. The organization also sponsors scholarships for graduating seniors from Strongsville High School and local youth activities.

Everyday heroes honored by Kiwanis in West Seattle

Chris Hayworth — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:42:00 GMT

SW Precinct officers honored

By Steve Shay
Published: March 3, 2010 in West Seattle Herald, White Center News
http://www.westseattleherald.com/2010/03/03/news/sw-precinct-officers-honored

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle presented the Everyday Hero Award to Captain Joe Kessler on behalf of all the officers who serve the West Seattle Community, Wednesday, March 3rd at 11:00am at the Southwest Precinct, located at 2300 SW Webster St.

The Kiwanis Everyday Hero Award honors folks who may go unnoticed or unappreciated for their work or commitment to the community. Kiwanis Club president West Niver says "We've seen a marked improvement in safety for the Delridge community since this precinct was established and appreciate all that they do for us."

At the event, Niver said, "I cannot think of anything more appropriate than to recognize the Southwest Precinct for all the wonderful work you have done here. Crime has gone down. Safety has risen. You guys have done a wonderful job of making this place safer."

"The officers do a great job," Captain Kessler told the West Seattle Herald. "We appreciate what the community does and the fact that they understand what the officers do for them. I think Seattle's one of the safest big cities in the country, a great place to live. That's why I live here.

"Particularly in West Seattle and the Southwest Precinct, the community calls, and keeps us informed of what's going on," he said.

The West Seattle Kiwanis club is one of the first service clubs established in West Seattle, and was started in 1929. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle offers you the opportunity to share your experience, knowledge, and time in service to the community. This service is great fun and builds fellowship with other members. Excellent, diverse programs can be enjoyed at our weekly meetings. Membership is open to all men and women who possess a genuine interest in serving the community.

400 show for Kiwanis pancake breakfast

Chris Hayworth — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:28:00 GMT

Dadeville, AL

http://www.thedadevillerecord.com/news/2010/feb/24/400-show-kiwanis-pancake-breakfast/

By Dale Liesch (Contact) | Dadeville Record

Published Wednesday, February 24, 2010

It smelled the way a Saturday morning should at the Dadeville High School cafeteria.

With tickets in hand, visitors grabbed plates filled with pancakes, sausage and ham during the Kiwanis Pancake breakfast, one of the organization's biggest fundraisers.

Peggy Bullard, Kiwanis fundraising chair, said turnout was down a bit from the 500 visitors last year.

"Roughly 400 people came through the door," Bullard said. "It was a little low, but we're still pleased."

Bullard said the club was unsure of the amount of money raised from the all-you-can-eat event, as every $5 ticket sold for the event has not yet been counted. The money raised will go to support local schools and other worthy causes.

The club's event was a success in large part because of the help of the 20 Kiwanis members who helped to work it, according to Bullard.

"This is one of the greatest clubs I've ever been in because of the want to," Bullard said. "They all do so much to help others."

Bullard added that DHS Key Club members Ryan Wilkerson, Dillion Gulledge and Landon Poston were also instrumental in helping the club during the event.

Each year the club buys extra tickets to give to a worthy cause, Bullard said. This year members John Percy Oliver and Chuck Ogburn gave extra tickets to the DHS baseball team.

"I think they need a good thank you," Bullard said.

The club's biggest fundraiser is the upcoming annual golf tournament. Anyone interested in this fundraiser can call Bullard at 825-9415 or any other Kiwanis member.

Key Club raising MS camp funds

Chris Hayworth — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:19:00 GMT

Demopolis, AL

http://www.demopolistimes.com/news/2010/feb/23/key-club-raising-ms-camp-funds/

By David Snow (Contact) | Demopolis Times

Published Tuesday, February 23, 2010

DEMOPOLIS - The Demopolis High School Key Club is collecting donations to help send someone from this area to a summer camp for special-needs children and adults.

The Key Club is selling shamrocks to the public through mid-March, with the proceeds going to help pay the expenses for a child to Camp ASCCA in Jackson's Gap on Lake Martin. The shamrocks sell for $5 for a golden shamrock and $1 for a green one.

"We're doing this as a fund-raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association," said Key Club president Rebecca England, who has been accepted to serve as a camp counselor at Camp ASCCA this summer. "What we're trying to do is raise money for a kid with muscular dystrophy or any neuromuscular disease to go to camp. For one kid to get to go to camp, we have to raise $800, and our goal is to help at least one child go to camp.

"Anyone wanting to make a donation can come to Demopolis High School. They can contact our sponsor, Cynthia Whitlock, in the school library, or any other Key Club member."

ASCCA stands for "Alabama Special Camp for Children and Adults." The camp was founded in 1976 and has been a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation, known throughout the world for its high quality of service. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, tubing, swimming, environmental education, arts and crafts, canoeing and more. The camp is a part of the Easter Seals mission.

America's Most Wanted All-Star nominee, Kiwanian Rick Hohl

Chris Hayworth — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:14:00 GMT

Lakeland, FL

http://origin.amw.com/allstar/2010/nominee-detail.cfm?id=7683

Captain Rick Hohl says he was doing what he does every day: living to serve; but on Oct. 27, 2009, he gave the ultimate gift to a stranger: another chance at life. Months earlier, Captain Hohl responded to a desperate plea sent to sheriff offices across the state of Florida for a life-saving kidney transplant for Okaloosa County Deputy Johnnie Briggs. Captain Hohl said he didn't have to think twice about donating his kidney and immediately contacted Deputy Briggs' representatives and transplant coordinator at Tulane Medical Center. A series of tests for the next few months confirmed that Captain Hohl's kidney was a miraculous perfect match, a one-in-thirty-thousand chance for two strangers. Deputy Briggs returned to work three months after the surgery. In January, Captain Hohl received an award for his selflessness from Deputy Briggs' Fraternal Order of Police. Rick Hohl has been with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for the past 23 years and was promoted to captain in 2006. In 2008, he completed the Fellowship program training for the U.S. Marshals Service and now holds the title of special deputy. Captain Hohl is dedicated to living his Christian faith through a lifestyle of service. He says his experience helping Deputy Briggs has changed his life and he is now working on donating a portion of his liver. Captain Hohl also refurbishes broken bicycles and has donated almost 2,000 of them to needy children through his Bikes for Christ program.

Kiwanis club helps mud slide victims

Chris Hayworth — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:03:00 GMT

La Canada Kiwanis Club members took the lead in coordinating disaster relief efforts to help mudslide victims in La Canada, California on February 6.

Working with La Canada City Hall, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Kiwanis President Nick Berkuta organized a command post to greet an outpouring of volunteers, which included hundreds of local residents and Kiwanians. Armed with shovels and boots, Kiwanis members bussed volunteers up the hill to help all residents who had contacted City Hall requesting assistance. Working in groups of three and four, volunteers removed mounds of mud "4 feet high and 20 feet long" according to Kiwanis volunteer George Lutes.

Residents described the mudslide as a thick brown river that flowed down the streets and into backyards, carrying boulders, tree trunks and other debris that smashed through walls and filled homes with mud several feet deep. One family had to grab on to tree branches outside their home to keep from being carried away.

"Kiwanis is here for the community. We will always reach out to help those in need," said Kiwanian Wendy Alane Smith.

Kiwanis selects three finalists for Worldwide Service Project

Chris Hayworth — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:40:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS-Kiwanis International is searching for its next global cause, and its International Board of Trustees has selected three Worldwide Service Project finalists: Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases for their Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) proposal; Malaria No More and the Canadian Red Cross for their joint malaria proposal; and UNICEF for its proposal on maternal and neonatal tetanus.

"The three remaining proposals are extremely impressive," said Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo. "Any one of them would make a great Worldwide Service Project, and each would significantly improve the lives of millions of children around the world."

Last fall, Kiwanis received nearly 200 Worldwide Service Project proposals. Earlier this month, the board heard presentations on four potential projects.

"Today, we begin engaging our members in the discussion on Kiwanis' next Worldwide Service Project," Palazzolo said. "By visiting www.kiwanis.org/wsp, our 600,000 adult and youth members have the opportunity to view each proposal and participate in an online discussion forum."

The website and discussion forum will be available in eight languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese.

The Kiwanis International Board will announce the next Worldwide Service Project at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas, NV, in June.

Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases: NTDs

The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases proposal's goal is to ensure that the more than 1 billion children born between 2003 and 2020 journey into adulthood as the first generation to grow and thrive without the burden of NTDs.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of 13 parasitic and bacterial infections that are the most common infections of the 1.4 billion people-including 600 million school-aged children-who live on less than $1.25 per day. They include intestinal worms, elephantiasis, and trachoma, the world's leading cause of preventable blindness. Together, NTDs blind, disfigure, stigmatize and kill, keeping those infected trapped in a cycle of poverty and disease.

There are highly cost-effective, proven interventions for the seven most common NTDs that account for 90 percent of the global NTD disease burden. For approximately 50 cents per person per year, the diseases can be prevented and treated. The Global Network proposes that a 10-year, $150 million investment will leverage $1 billion globally.

Malaria No More and the Canadian Red Cross: Malaria

The Malaria No More (MNM) and the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) project proposes to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015-a goal endorsed by the global community.

Malaria kills 3,000 children in Africa every day. But thanks to a new generation of tools, on-the-ground successes and increased political and public support, the world is better prepared to defeat malaria now than at any other time in history. Investments in malaria are reaping huge rewards, and have helped reduce malaria deaths and illnesses by more than 50 percent in several African countries, including Rwanda, Eritrea, Zambia, Botswana and the Islands of Zanzibar between 2000 and 2008.

The project would raise US$60 million over six years for mosquito net distribution, training and technical assistance and awareness.

UNICEF: Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus

Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) kills one baby every four minutes. MNT can abruptly turn the joy of new life into wrenching tragedy. Its effects are excruciating-tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and become hypersensitive to light, sound and touch. Even a mother's soothing voice and comforting caress are unbearable for the infant. Few babies survive. Tetanus may claim the mother's life as well.

In impoverished countries, where women have little access to health care, many are forced to give birth in an unsanitary environment. Tetanus spores are found everywhere-in the air, soil and contaminated objects. Bacteria can enter the mother's body through open wounds and pass through a newly cut umbilical cord. Once the baby is infected, a lethal toxin attacks his or her nervous system.

Tetanus is highly preventable. Three doses of a vaccine can protect mothers and babies.

The project would raise $110 million to eliminate a deadly disease and save 129 million mothers and their future babies.

What is a Worldwide Service Project?

Children and communities worldwide have diverse needs-access to healthcare, clean water, safe shelter, safety from slavery, access to education and so many others. A Worldwide Service Project is a directed program that engages all 600,000 youth and adult Kiwanis family members to make a positive difference in the world by helping children in need.

Kiwanis successfully completed its first Worldwide Service Project, virtually eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Kiwanis raised more than US$100 million, which helped change lives in more than 89 nations. The number of households estimated to be consuming iodized salt has jumped from 20 percent in 1990 to more than 70 percent, and the effort has been heralded as one of the most successful health initiatives in the world.

About Kiwanis International

Founded in 1915, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis International and its service leadership programs for young people, including Circle K International, Key Club International, Key Leader, Builders Club, Kiwanis Kids, Kiwanis Junior and Aktion Club dedicate more than 19 million volunteer hours and invest US$100 million to strengthen communities and serve children annually. The Kiwanis International family comprises 600,000 adult and youth members in 70 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, please visit www.kiwanis.org.

Kiwanis matching gifts dollar for dollar in foundation campaign

Chris Hayworth — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:54:00 GMT

Make an unrestricted contribution to the Kiwanis International Foundation between now and April 30, 2010, and Kiwanis International will match it, doubling the impact of your gift.

It's all part of the Kiwanis International Foundation's New Beginning Campaign Challenge, the first-ever philanthropic partnership between the foundation and Kiwanis International. For the first time, Kiwanis International will match all unrestricted contributions to the foundation on a $1-for-$1 basis, up to $750,000. The match will apply on contributions made now through April 30, 2010 as the foundation hopes to raise $1.5 million to support its grants and programs.

"The match offers an opportunity to double the impact of your gift and will enable the foundation to invest more generously to help disadvantaged children and communities across the globe," says Linda Brimmer, the foundation's chief operating officer." The foundation helps Kiwanis fulfill its mission of serving the world's children by distributing grants to districts and clubs."

Recent foundation grants reflect the shared values of Kiwanians across the globe, and have:

Enabled a West African school to be moved out of a flood plain.
Provided tuition funds to economically stressed families in California.
Funded job trade instruction for orphaned Romanian children.

You can give gifts through check, credit card or stock transfer, and do so securely online. For more information, call Matt Morris, the foundation's chief fundraising officer, at 317-217-6234, or send him an e-mail.

Kiwanis clubs worldwide celebrate 95th birthday

Chris Hayworth — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:03:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.-Members of Kiwanis International are celebrating the organization's 95^th birthday today, Jan. 21, 2010. In 2009, Kiwanis clubs worldwide donated more than six million volunteer hours and raised more than US$100 million for community service, with a special emphasis on helping young children.

The first Kiwanis club was chartered January 21, 1915, in Detroit, Mich. Today, Kiwanis has grown to more than 8,000 clubs and 240,000 members in 70 countries.

"People are struggling during these troubled times," said Paul Palazzolo, Kiwanis International President. "Now, more than ever, Kiwanis and its members are needed to help children and families meet challenges, and to offer people an opportunity to help others."

Kiwanis, headquartered in Indianapolis, provides numerous opportunities for people to get involved, and numerous benefits to members-friendship, fellowship, business networking-in addition to the service Kiwanis provides to children and communities.

In addition to adult members of Kiwanis, the international program also includes Circle K International, for college and university students; Key Club International, for high school students; Builders Club, for junior high and middle school students, K-Kids, for elementary schools students; and Aktion Club, for adults living with disabilities.

Kiwanis International is searching for its next Worldwide Service Project, and its International Board of Trustees recently heard proposals from issue experts and advocates on four potential projects: malaria; maternal and neonatal tetanus; tropical diseases; and education and literacy.

"This is an exciting time to be a Kiwanian," said Palazzolo. "Even as we celebrate the past, new things are happening in this organization every day and our future is unlimited."

Other Kiwanis programs include Kiwanis One Day, the first Saturday in April, when Kiwanis and its family of clubs join forces with their communities for a day of hands-on service, and Read Around the World, which encourages members to share with children the joy of books-from reading with them to getting them books of their very own.

ABOUT KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL:
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis International and its Service Leadership Programs for young people, including Circle K, Key Club, Key Leader, Builders Club, K-Kids, Kiwanis Junior, and Aktion Club, dedicate more than 19 million volunteer hours and invest US$100 million to strengthen communities and serve children annually. The Kiwanis International family is composed of 600,000 adult and youth members in 15,000 clubs in more than 70 countries and geographic areas. Kiwanis members make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Globally, Kiwanis International has focused humanitarian efforts on eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) through the Worldwide Service Project, a US$75 million campaign in partnership with UNICEF, which began in 1994. For more information about Kiwanis International, please visit www.kiwanis.org or call 800-KIWANIS.

Kiwanis board members volunteer at Ronald McDonald House

Chris Hayworth — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:06:00 GMT

The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees recently spent a few hours cooking and serving breakfast to several families at the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana.

The project brought the global leaders together for a rare chance to do service as a group. The trustees were in Indianapolis for the January board meeting.

Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo said he was delighted the board members had the opportunity to step out of the board room and into the city to make a difference.

"To be an example of service, the Kiwanis International Board came together to help the families of the Ronald McDonald House," Palazzolo said. "And we had a lot of fun doing it."

The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees also heard proposals for the next Worldwide Service Project during the January meeting in Indianapolis. Finalists will be featured on a special Web site set to launch later this month.

Kiwanis in the running to win $1 million to help underprivileged teens

Chris Hayworth — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:57:00 GMT

Organization seeks Hoosiers support as the only Indiana charity in competition

INDIANAPOLIS - Kiwanis International Foundation is competing with 99 other charities to win $1 million from Chase Community Giving and Facebook through an online competition. The charity with the most votes wins, and voting ends on Friday, January 22.

"This week, we are mobilizing our members and stakeholders to vote for Kiwanis," said Kiwanis International Executive Director Stan Soderstrom. "Although we are currently behind in the vote count, we know there are many people who have not yet voted, and we expect to see a large surge by the end of the week."

Kiwanis would use the $1 million grant to enable 11,500 underprivileged teens to attend Key Leader, a leadership weekend for high school students. The Key Leader program helps teens worldwide believe they can make a difference in their lives and their communities. Key Leader provides a life changing experience, inspiring young people to achieve their personal best through service leadership. The program focuses on integrity, growth, respect, building community and pursuit of excellence. By sending more kids to Key Leader, Kiwanis would create worldwide Key Leaders to impact their communities and create change.

"We'd like to encourage the Indiana Facebook community to change the lives of thousands of teens by voting for the only Indiana charity in the competition: Kiwanis," Soderstrom said.

To vote for Kiwanis, visit www.facebook.com/kiwanis. Voting occurs through Facebook only and participants must have a Facebook account and become a fan of Chase Community Giving to vote.

During the first-round of voting in December, Kiwanis beat out 500,000 charities and was voted into the top 100 to qualify for the final round. Kiwanis also received $25,000 for making it into the final round.

About Kiwanis International
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis International and its service leadership programs for young people, including Circle K, Key Club, Key Leader, Builders Club, K-Kids, Kiwanis Junior and Aktion Club dedicate more than 19 million volunteer hours and invest US$100 million to strengthen communities and serve children annually. The Kiwanis International family comprises 600,000 adult and youth members in 70 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, please visit www.kiwanis.org