KIWANIS CLUB
Serving Beaufort
story by NAKEISHA DAWSON-THOMPSON photos by SUSAN DELOACH
Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 and headquartered in Indianapolis, IN., 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 89 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.” Kiwanis International is a “family” of organizations that focuses on teaching young children about the responsibilities of good citizenship, community service, and building future leaders. There are many “chapters/clubs” that serve different communities, with the same mission and goal at the heart of their service.
The name Kiwanis stems from a North American Indian phrase, which, like many aboriginal terms, had a variety of meanings, including; “We have a good time,” “We make a noise,” or “We trade.” The Kiwanis motto is: We Build. Throughout its history, the Kiwanis name has been synonymous with endeavors that build character, knowledge, commerce, communities, and through genuine concern for others, hope.
The Kiwanis Club of Beaufort is dedicated to serving the local community through various service and fundraising projects. They have been servicing our community for more than 37 years. Kiwanis Club of Beaufort is part of Kiwanis International, an organization serving children for over 100 years.
Currently, Kiwanis is under the leadership of Ed Allen (President) and Coroner of Beaufort County, Chad Cox (President Elect) and Principal at Battery Creek High School, Patrick Harris (Vice President), Todd Keyserling (Treasurer), Bob Bundy (Secretary). Many local community members serve as members of the Beaufort Kiwanis Club.
With so many things going on in this world, the Kiwanis club’s goal and mission is to improve the world one child, one community at a time. They accomplish this goal by participating and hosting several community projects that include: community service activities, scholarship fund, golf tournament to support high school students North of the Broad River, Thanksgiving project that feeds over 100 families for Thanksgiving, Dictionary project and more.
There are several programs that the Beaufort Kiwanis Club is proud to be able to provide. They sponsors two youth clubs: K-Kids at Coosa Elementary School and Key Club at Beaufort High School. The sponsored youth groups independently initiate service projects and community service activities throughout the school year. Kiwanis Club of Beaufort works through an adviser in each youth organization to coordinate their participation with their activities or to have them work with them on significant service programs and fundraisers.
They are very proud of their youth groups and their accomplishments, which make this community a much better place to live. The following activities are a small portion of the many projects they are involved in Coat Drives, Blood Drives, Canned Food Collection, and local Parades.
Each year, Kiwanis awards scholarships to Beaufort County graduates. Many students in the school district can benefit from their scholarship awards. To apply, visit their website and follow the link to the scholarship application. The Kiwanis Club is very honored and grateful that Katie L. Godowns donated her entire proceeds from her concert to the Kiwanis Clubs’ scholarship fund. This was a most generous donation that will allow them to award more students this 2020 school year.
Through Kiwanis membership, individuals give their talent, time, and love to those in need. Kiwanians worldwide dedicates themselves to a way of life in which they believe. The six permanent objects of Kiwanis International were approved by Kiwanis club delegates at the 1924 Convention in Denver, Colorado.
Through the succeeding decades, they have remained unchanged: To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than 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 goodwill.
Kiwanis Club of Beaufort continues to open its doors to new members. They depend on the assistance and support from the community to continue to keep the programs active. They believe that those who give the most are the happiest. There is nothing more beautiful than individuals who reach out to make other people’s lives beautiful. It teaches us the value of service to others and shows us how important our contributions are in making this world a better place, most notably for the children.
Membership provides education in human relations and personal development. Being in service to others develop a good character in every person. It gives experiences that teach and grow to become better individuals. Being a member allows one to take part in the many activities and projects that are created. They currently have a great group of members who enjoy spending time with each other for the betterment of our community.
If you would like to give back to this community by locking arms with Kiwanis of Beaufort, please visit their website at kiwanisclubofbeaufort.org and fill out the membership application.
