lifestyle / JACK DAVIS LEGACY NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
VOLUNTEERING IN THE WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY KIDS ARE THE FOCUS OF THE KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL MISSION BY KYLE DOWLING
CA . ips at the Westside YM nship awarded scholarsh Tow lta De of b Clu s ani The Kiw
The needs of kids — from combating hunger to improving literacy to providing mentorship — are at the heart of the mission of Kiwanis. Kiwanis International is a global organization of individual service clubs that work to improve the lives of children in their communities. Kiwanis has more than 550,000 members worldwide, with groups ranging from school clubs to community clubs. The Kiwanis Club of Delta Township is just one of the local Kiwanis Clubs in the Greater Lansing region. Service projects and fundraising efforts from the club have benefitted such nonprofits as Ele’s Place, St. Vincent Catholic Charities and The Davies Project, just to name a few. The club’s Cash Award program is designed to fund projects that provide support and enrichment for children and families in Eaton and Ingham counties. The program’s purpose is to assist local nonprofit organizations in their efforts to create projects and fund events that directly benefit children and families. The Kiwanis Club of Delta Township also facilitated its first Art Lopes Winter Golf Outing this year in honor of Art Lopes, who was part of Kiwanis for more than 50 years in multiple clubs. Proceeds from that event are being given to local restaurants within the region. The Delta Township service club also has a yearly fundraiser by selling tins of nuts and chocolates around the holiday season.
38
517 | 6.21
“The proceeds from these sales go toward supporting several organizations throughout the year including, R.J. Scheffel Toy Project, Kiwanis Michigan Foundation that supports Mary Free Bed, Key Club and any other organization that need our help,” said Tim Barry, Delta Township club member. In addition, the Kiwanis Club of Delta Township helps support the Key Club of Grand Ledge, the high school-level of Kiwanis that encourages volunteerism and helping the community. Key Clubs set their own projects and agendas with support from a teacher and Kiwanis volunteer overseeing the group. The students are free to decide what projects or programs they would like to support. “One of my favorite projects this year was writing thank-you letters to health care workers in the COVID unit, thanking them for their efforts,” said Camryn Nauta, incoming lieutenant governor of District 7 for Key Club. The Kiwanis Club of Delta Township extends further support to students at Waverly and Grand Ledge schools through a high school scholarship program. High school students participate in an essay competition and write about how they have impacted the community in a positive way, embodying the essence of Kiwanis. Kiwanis is about people coming together to give back, and it is always looking for new members and volunteers. For more information about Kiwanis or your local club, visit kiwanis.org.
