So, what is a Kiwanis Club?
Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis and its youth-oriented Service Leadership Programs serve communities in more than 70 countries and geographic areas. Founded in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan, Kiwanis International now comprises 600,000 members — men, women boys and girls — worldwide.
Local meetings of the downtown club are held each Thursday at noon at the Foundry in historic World’s Fair Park. Our board meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Foundry. Click here to view the Foundry's web site.
What We Do:
What follows is a list of a few of our activities, but our primary aim is to find new and creative ways to serve the children of our area.
- Operate the Kiwanis "Fresh Air Camp," near the zoo on Prosser Road, a six week program during June & July, serving 150-200 "at risk" campers each year who pay nothing to attend.
- BUG (Bringing Up Grades) program, Rocky Hill Elementary. Recognizing children in each classroom with a certificate and a pencil if they bring up a single class grade compared to the previous grading period.
- Head Start Reading Program.Club members take turns reading to the children of a local Head Start program.
- Head Start Book Donation Program - one book per week is donated to the Head Start program in honor of that week's speaker.
- Head Start Shoe & Underwear Fund - Kiwanians donate "Happy Dollars" each week toward this fund, used not only to purchase "shoes and underwear," but any other necessities the children need.
- PLAN International Sponsored Child - Jeny Cabrera Guttierez of Managua, Nicaragua
- Key Club program, South Doyle High School
- Knox County Farmer of the Year
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing
- Charter two Scouting programs for empowerment zone schools.
- Weekly lunch meetings for fun, fellowship, education and service....and many other programs throughout the year.
What does it cost to be a Kiwanian?
- Your time, energy, and dedication.
- Annual dues are $164.00, billed quarterly in advance. Meals are also billed quarterly in advance at $9.50; each meal not eaten is credited back at $7.50, with a $2.00 minimum meal surcharge.
- There is an $80.00 one-time induction fee for new members.
- Each Kiwanian is asked to sell $300.00 in tickets to our annual Pancake Breakfast. Every single penny from the ticket sale goes to the operation of the Fresh Air Camp.
Interested in joining? Send an email to knoxvillekiwanis@gmail.com
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