On Tuesday, June 3, the Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown will hold its 33rd Annual Sunset 5K Run (Source: Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown).
Kids need Kiwanis. Kiwanis International is an organization that has been serving children and communities all over the world for over 100 years. The Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown is one of the local clubs of the international nonprofit. Its motto is “Serving the Children of the World.”
The Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown chartered in 1949 serves its local community through a variety of service and fundraising projects. The club is devoted to not only serving the children in the local area, but also across the country and worldwide.
Anne G. Lotz, a foundation trustee of the Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown, spoke to Access Network about some of their service projects.
Lotz explained that their club sponsors several programs for children and adults including the Key Club for students aged 14 to 18, Builders Club for students aged 11 -14, and the Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities.
Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown has a Builders Club in Abington to help students develop leadership skills and participate in service-learning projects. The nonprofit also has Key Clubs in Cheltenham and Abington for high school students. The focus there is also to teach them leadership through service to others.
The Jenkintown nonprofit also raise funds for a variety of causes and participate in service projects. She said they donate to 25 charities a year.
She added that they are always open to donating to specific, unique situations like when they helped a student, musical prodigy, get a piano moved to his house.
“We are trying to be meaningful with our donations, it doesn’t have to be to a big nonprofit,” she said.
She added that Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown also collaborates with Books in Home, USA and Mitzvah Circle to promote literacy and share the joy of books with children through the Book Train Collaborative Project.
One annual event that is close to club members’ hearts is the annual Special Athlete Basketball Tournament which just marked its 45th year. Every athlete that competes in a skills competition receives a medal and those who participate in team competitions receive a trophy.
“We underwrite all the costs for the tournament. The athletes and coaches don’t pay a thing,” Lotz said.
The Jenkintown Sunset 5K Run
On Tuesday, June 3 at 7 p.m., everyone is invited to participate in the club’s 33rd Annual Sunset 5K Run which will benefit The Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown. The 5K run starts at the center of Jenkintown and winds its way through the borough. There will also be a Kids Dash for children 6 and under as well as live music, food and prizes.
Lotz said they are expecting over 800 runners. Learn more here.
How Can the Community Help?
Lotz said that they are actively looking for new members. Anyone interested are welcome to join them at one of their meetings or service projects.
The club’s meetings are held every Thursday at noon at the Abington Friends Meetinghouse, Short Stable 520 Meetinghouse Road in Jenkintown.
To learn more about Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown or to become a member of the club, visit here.
