Kiwanians are individuals who give a little of their time to make their communities and the world better places in which to live and work. As members of a local club, members have the opportunity to make business and professional contacts, learn first-hand about local, national, and international issues, improve and use leadership skills, participate in the life of their community and world, and develop lifelong friendships.

Kiwanis clubs take on humanitarian and civic projects that public authorities are not prepared or able to perform. A typical Kiwanis club plans hands-on projects focusing on the special needs of the community, such as helping the elderly, promoting literacy, or supporting youth sports. In addition to attending a club meeting, Kiwanis members volunteer about two hours each month for projects involving children or persons in need.

Kiwanis has accomplished many programs and projects to offer help with those in need. One major continuing program is the “Young Children: Priority One” program. This special program addresses the needs of the children through projects in pediatric trauma, safety, childcare, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills. Under this program, Kiwanis is engaged in its first Worldwide Service Project. Kiwanis has teamed up with the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) to virtually eliminate Iodine Deficiency Disorders. These disorders cause various degrees of mental and physical impairment in the fetus and in young children. We have made great strides in this quest and look forward to the day the IDD is no longer a threat to the world’s children.

The Ohio District of Kiwanis International consists of 10,677 (as of 9/30/06) members serving in 271 clubs located in 28 divisions throughout the State of Ohio. The district was formed on September 26, 1918 and at that time consisted of ten (10) clubs. Five (5) of the first ten (10) clubs in all of Kiwanis International are located in the Ohio District. Cleveland (#2) was formed on January 21, 1915, Columbus (#5) was formed on May 10, 1916, Dayton (#7) was formed on May 31, 1916, Toledo (#9) was formed on June 10, 1916, and Cincinnati (#10) was formed on June 15, 1916.

Being a Kiwanis member can be rewarding in many ways. The greatest gift you could ever give yourself as a person is the gratification in knowing you are contributing your help, time and efforts to people in and out of your community that are in need. Raising funds to help the poor, participating in fellowship and giving back to your community is the highest level of satisfaction you can ever encounter.