Sandy Kiwanis and Community Commitment

By Ken Harrison, For the Sandy Standard

Why did I join Kiwanis? I wanted to be a part of a community service organization that helped kids. My own childhood, particularly my teens, was turbulent, due to a broken home and an abusive parent. I do not want other kids to miss the positive source of coaching and mentoring that clubs like Kiwanis provide. That’s why I think people join Kiwanis; that’s why I did. We get together with like-minded volunteers who want to make a difference. We are friends and neighbors; people who love serving together to positively change children’s lives.

Kiwanis was founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. The organization took its name, Kiwanis, from the founders’ understanding that the word was translatable to we build from the Algonquian language family. In 1919,the organization made its focus service to children. Since then, clubs have been created throughout the U.S., Canada, and globally. Today there are Kiwanis clubs around the world, helping young people develop mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Kiwanis club members look at the needs of children in their community and decide on actions that will benefit those kids. By coming together with others in our area, we make our community a better place for all of us.

What do we do? We conduct service projects; we hold fundraisers. We use these proceeds to improve children’s lives in our community. Together, these activities form a continuum of  impact - helping young people develop throughout childhood and into adulthood. We want to ultimately create a generation of leaders who also contribute to that continuum.

Much of learning during childhood is gained through observation and imitation. Role models help to shape how children behave in school, in their relationships, and when making decisions. 

Anyone can be a role model in a child’s life:  parent, family member, friend, or even a member of a Kiwanis club! Children tend to mimic role models, so how the role model acts in different situations impacts how that child will act in similar conditions in the future.

We can function as a positive role model for children in our community and impact their lives by joining Kiwanis. Our club looks at the needs of children in the community and chooses projects that will benefit them the most. By joining a local Kiwanis club, you’ll be joining a global community of clubs, members, and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children - one child at a time.

To learn more about Sandy Kiwanis community service projects (or if you would like to join us as a member), visit sandykiwanis.org and fill out an application. Follow us on Facebook. You can help plan our next event or activity. We would love to count you as a member. 

Being a volunteer brings a mindset or a philosophy. I believe it also creates an attitude of service or a willingness to give back to our community. In doing so, I feel it makes the world around us a better place.