WHO WE ARE

Youth Leadership Development – The Springfield Kiwanis Club sponsors 6 youth leadership organizations in both middle and high schools throughout Greater Springfield.  Part of our responsibility is serving as a liaison and a resource to the youth leadership organizations (Key Club & Builders Club).  Each club has a designated Kiwanian that serves as the Kiwanis Advisor.  They’re responsible for keeping in communication with the school faculty advisor, promoting opportunities for joint service projects, provide leadership training to club officers, etc.  The Chair of the Service Leadership Programs committee, supports our Kiwanis Advisors to ensure that we’re providing the resources and support they need to be successful.

 

Food Insecurity – Nearly 1 in 8 Americans may experience food insecurity in 2022 and this has only been exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  For years, the Springfield Kiwanis Club has supported two programs to help support our community:

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• Loaves & Fishes – The fourth Saturday of every month has been a staple on the calendars of Springfield Kiwanians for decades, as our club has the responsibility for the noon meal at South Congregational Church in Springfield.  Kiwanis teams up with our local Key Clubs to provide all of the fixings, including large pasta casseroles, salad, milk, bread, and snacks.  Volunteers arrive by 11:30AM to begin plating individual meals that are handed out to residents that come by noon.  We welcome any participation from members, community members, and businesses to support this effort on a monthly basis.

 

• Thanksgiving Baskets – For decades, the day before Thanksgiving is a big day for the Springfield Kiwanis Club.  Early in the fall we connect with the Salvation Army to identify 50 families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Our Kiwanis Club purchases 50 turkeys and 50 pies and enlist the support of our 5 Key Clubs and other local businesses to donate baskets with all the fixings.  On Thanksgiving eve, we all meet at 12PM to assemble the boxes to ensure that each one is packed properly, and begin loading up our cars with the turkeys, pies, and baskets.  Drivers are given their route assignments and Springfield Kiwanis delivers on Thanksgiving

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Fundraising to Support Youth Causes – The Kiwanis Club of Springfield prioritizes supporting youth and we do that beyond our efforts in supporting Key Club and the food insecurity cause area with two large fundraising initiatives that occur in the spring and the fall.

 

• Grand Raffle (Spring) – We hold an annual Grand Raffle in memory of Dick Beebe who was longtime member of Springfield Kiwanis that positively impacted and inspired children for decades before his passing in 2018.  The Grand Raffle boasts 20 prizes valued at over $6,000.  Raffle tickets are sold for $25, no more than 600 tickets are sold.  Prizes are contributed through the raffle budget, local businesses, and personal donations from Kiwanians.  The Kiwanis Club of Springfield Mass Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, will direct net proceeds to support Camp Sunshine, a retreat for families affected by life-threatening childhood illness through unique, supportive program at its beautiful campus on Maine’s Sebago Lake.  Camp Sunshine is a signature project, supported throughout the New England District of Kiwanis & Key Club.

 

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• Cornhole Tournament (Fall) – How many people do you know were playing cornhole 10 years ago?  While it has truly grown in popularity over the years, so has our tournament.  The Kiwanis Club of Springfield hosts a 64-team double elimination tournament at the Elks Club in Springfield in September each year.  Teams of 2 sign up to compete against friend and family, enjoying food, beverages, and music.  We also have fun activities for kids, like our art table, mini-cornhole set, and a face painter on site.  Teams pay $50 to play.  We’re grateful for the generous support of our scoreboard, t-shirt, and board sponsors that help make a difference.  The Kiwanis Club of Springfield will direct net proceeds to support the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, an anchor institution focused on helping children that we’ve been supporting for generations.

 

• Toys for Tots – The Springfield Kiwanis Club team up with local Key Clubs to provide new toy donations to Toys for Tots.  Every year, Kiwanis members donate toys or cash to support this effort, we also designate funds from our Foundation to support as well.