Contributed by Eva Cohnen-Brown
What is Kiwanis, you may be wondering? No, it’s not an animal, vegetable or mineral, but an international service organization that was founded in 1915 by businessmen in Detroit, Michigan. The name’s origin is from a phrase in a Native American language from that region, “Nunc Kee-wanis,” which means, “We trade.” While the first years were focused on business networking, the goal for most of the last hundred years has been service, especially service to children.
Kiwanis has clubs in over 80 countries around the world, and is present in every state in the U.S. Locally, the Kiwanis Club of Palmer was formed in August 1949, and has been continuously active in the Mat-Su Borough ever since. It is a member of Kiwanis International within the Pacific Northwest District and Alaska-Yukon Division. Our goal is to work for a better quality of life for the citizens of our community, state, nation and world. While achieving these goals, we have a great deal of fun and fellowship.
Please consider joining our group in order to participate in many worthwhile projects, as well as enjoying the camaraderie and satisfaction of helping your community.
Some ongoing projects include:
• Giving dictionaries to all 3rd graders in the Mat-Su Borough
• Presenting awards to outstanding 8th grade students
• Sponsoring key clubs at Colony and Palmer High Schools
• Awarding Key Club Scholarships
• Sponsoring K-Kids at Sherrod Elementary School
• Assembling and donating fleece blankets to The Children’s Place
• Offering Little League Scholarships
• Purchasing, fitting and donating kids’ bicycle helmets at Colony Days
Our club meetings are held weekly on Tuesdays at Turkey Red Restaurant in the Event Room at 550 S. Alaska Street, Palmer. We have a variety of interesting speakers, representing local volunteer and business groups. Some of our recent presenters have come from Wilderness Medics, Crisis Response Canines, and HeartReach Center. The first two Tuesdays of each month are lunch meetings, held from 12:00pm-1:00pm. The last two Tuesdays of each month are evening meetings, held from 6:00pm-7:00pm. Meetings are open to everyone, and you don’t have to be a member to attend.
For more information, please check out our Facebook site, Kiwanis Club of Palmer Alaska, and the Kiwanis homepage at www.kiwanis.org.
