Many people will remember the Kiwanis club from specific events like the youth music festivals, fun runs, and various drives to help others.
Having started in Detroit in 1915, they now boast over 600,000 members at chapters across the globe. Closer to home, Kiwanis Huntsville Muskoka was chartered in August 2017.
Though it’s a bit newer to the region, the club has been instrumental in doing good work in the community in a variety of ways.
They present two annual scholarships to graduating Huntsville High School students, organize the Kiwanis Sap Run 4 Kids for those aged 3 to 12, organize the Christmas in July food drive, coordinate with local emergency services to collect food during Project Porchlight, and much more.
“Every club is somewhat different, but every one of our clubs has a focus of children and families,” explained local club secretary Rick Brooks. “For us, remembering we are still a young club, just now entering our eighth year, the scope of our programs and what we have accomplished, with your help, can still be growing.”
They want to grow and do more, including adding a Builders Club at one or more schools, and Citizenship Awards for all elementary schools throughout Huntsville and the surrounding area.
But in order to do this they need more members, explained Brooks. Which is why they’re on a recruitment drive.
Kiwanis clubs charge an annual membership fee, as well as asking their members to volunteer their time, to help support their community programming that benefits school-aged children and families.
There are individual memberships for $180 per year and corporate memberships for $225 per year. Membership dues go first to support the local club, with lesser portions going towards running the Eastern Canada & Caribbean District and Kiwanis International.
“Accredited members are also covered by our club’s Kiwanis insurance policy while doing the work of Kiwanis,” said Brooks. “In short, dues are essential for maintaining the organization’s operations and supporting the service work that Kiwanis clubs perform in their communities.”
Potential new Kiwanis members should note that not everyone needs to be available to help at every single event or meeting. A club newsletter helps keep everyone informed of what’s taking place and when.
Those in the community interested in learning more can check out the website at www.huntsvillekiwanis.ca
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