About
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
Kiwanis defining statement, adopted October 2004
Founded in 1915 in Detroit and with headquarters now in Indianapolis, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service- and community-minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 600,000 Kiwanis-family members in 96 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is “Serving the Children of the World.”
Club meetings traditionally are conducted once per month and offer an atmosphere of fun, learning, and fellowship. In addition to attending the meetings, the typical Kiwanian volunteers each month to assist with club service projects.
A typical Kiwanis club is a snapshot of its community, with members from all walks of life and at every step of the career ladder. They are unified in their belief that children and their communities benefit from the efforts of a proficient group of caring and involved volunteers. In a typical year, Kiwanis clubs invest more than 6.2 million hours and US$100 million in communities around the world. Through these efforts, the Kiwanis organization truly leaves a lasting impression on future generations.
Serving Children and Youth In Hamilton Since 1940
Be part of several service projects each year that make a difference in kids’ lives. Since 1940, Kiwanis Club of Hamilton East members have united to serve kids and uplift communities. We are generous with our time, creative with our ideas, passionate about making a difference and have fun along the way. Each year we dedicate more than 1,200 hours in service and raise over half a million dollars for our community.
The Objects Of Kiwanis International
As adopted by Kiwanis International in Indianapolis in 1924:
- To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life.
- To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
- To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business and professional standards.
- To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.
- To provide, through Kiwanis Clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
- To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and good will.
The Community Role of Kiwanis Clubs
Guided by the six permanent Objects , Kiwanis clubs view their role within their respective communities with a great deal of foresight. Key aspects to operating an effective club include:
- Evaluating both children’s issues and community needs on an ongoing basis
- Conducting service projects to respond to those identified needs
- Maintaining an active membership roster of professional business people who have both the desire and the ability to serve their community
Global Health Initiatives
Kiwanis International has a history of rallying its members to make a positive impact on the health of children and families around the world. Through the power of partnerships and fundraising, previous campaigns have helped the Kiwanis family address challenges to global health.
Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus
A painful and deadly disease, maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) disproportionately affects areas where poverty, lack of education and inadequate health infrastructure make unhygienic birth practices more common. In 2010, Kiwanis launched The Eliminate Project, a global campaign to eliminate MNT by supporting UNICEF’s efforts to administer vaccines and promote clean delivery and umbilical cord care practices.
Since Kiwanis joined the fight against MNT, newborn deaths from tetanus have dropped 57%, according to the World Health Organization. Of the 39 priority countries assessed to have more than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 live births in 2010, 27 have since achieved MNT elimination. The Kiwanis Children’s Fund continues to work with UNICEF to help complete its work in the 12 countries where MNT remains a threat. During the period 2011-2020, the Kiwanis family raised more than US $119 million.
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine deficiency is one of the world’s leading causes of preventable intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also increases the risk of thyroid disease and can negatively impact fetal health and development. Fortunately, we know how these effects can be prevented: through the adequate consumption of iodized salt.
Kiwanis became involved in the fight against iodine deficiency in a campaign with UNICEF that lasted from 1994 to 2005. In that time, Kiwanians raised over US$105 million for salt iodization, testing and monitoring, and community outreach and education in more than 89 nations. As a result, 88% of the world’s households have access to iodized salt, and hundreds of millions of children have escaped the effects of iodine deficiency. The Kiwanis Children’s Fund continues to support the Iodine Global Network in furthering the fight against iodine deficiency around the world.
Make a difference, and make
some new friends.
Make a difference, and make some new friends.
Make a difference, and make some new friends.
Join Kiwanis today. We would love to
welcome you aboard.
Join Kiwanis today. We would love to welcome you aboard.
Join Kiwanis today. We would love to welcome you aboard.