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A global organization of volunteers who work to make their communities a better place, Kiwanis International is dedicated to improving the lives of children all around the world.

With the vision of being a positive influence in neighborhoods recognizing that kids need adults who care, the Kiwanis hope is that one day every child will wake up in a community that believes in them, nurtures them and provides them with the support they need to thrive.

World Kiwanis Week is a time to celebrate the positive impact and appreciate the huge reach that these volunteers have had!

How to Celebrate World Kiwanis Week

Looking for ideas and activities for getting involved with World Kiwanis Week? Get creative with ideas or check out a few of these to start with:

Join a Local Kiwanis Club

Not yet a part of Kiwanis? That’s okay! Everyone is welcome. And with more than 8,000 different Kiwanis clubs located all throughout the globe, World Kiwanis Week offers plenty of opportunities to get involved and join in with a local club.

Check out the Kiwanis International website for more information on how to find a local club to join!

Tell Kiwanis Stories

One of the best ways to participate in World Kiwanis Week might be for volunteers to share the stories of the different experiences they have had as Kiwanis volunteers.

Write a blog, make a social media post or tell a friend about the positive impact that has come from being part of this impactful organization.

Get the Kids Involved with Kiwanis

Families who have primary and elementary school students can get their young ones connected with the children’s program run through the Kiwanis club, called K-Kids.

WIth programs in at least 23 countries, K-Kids club provides young students with the opportunity to connect, grow skills, learn, and serve their communities in powerful ways.

World Kiwanis Week is a great time to inquire about how to get the kids involved!

History of World Kiwanis Week

The background of World Kiwanis Week can be traced back more than a century to 1914 when Allen Browne sought to organize professionals in Detroit, Michigan.

The group applied for non-profit status with the state, which was granted on January 21, 1915 – making this the official birthday of the Kiwanis!

In just over a decade, the club grew to include more than 100,000 members. Originally called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order Brothers, the name was changed to Kiwanis just a year later and has remained ever since.

While membership was originally limited to the US and Canada, it was opened up to people in other parts of the world in 1962. In 1987, it was agreed that women should be allowed to join and, today, women make up about one-fourth of the Kiwanis International organization.

Today there are more than 600,000 Kiwanis International members in over 90 countries or other geographic areas worldwide.

World Kiwanis Week gives a celebratory nod to the history, present and future good done by the people of Kiwanis.

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