With just 12 members, the Kiwanis Club of Lansing addresses its community’s critical needs. 

By Frank L. Goss, member, Lansing Kiwanis Club 

 In the heart of Lansing, Kansas, U.S., a small but dedicated group of Kiwanis volunteers is making a big difference. With just 12 members — led by the president, Mike Nielsen — the Kiwanis Club of Lansing focuses on hands-on projects that touch lives across Lansing and neighboring Leavenworth County.  

Here’s a closer look at how our small club is building a stronger community. 

Partnering for health
We organize five to six blood drives each year, in partnership with the City of Lansing and the local Lions Club. These events draw an average of 50 to 60 donors, providing vital blood supplies to local blood banks and hospitals. This project turns community goodwill into a pivotal lifeline when emergencies strike.  

While local partnerships are vital, every individual makes a big difference. At the heart of the blood drive effort is Betty Klinedinst, our treasurer and volunteer coordinator. Her tireless work exemplifies how one person’s commitment can inspire an entire community to give back. 

Combating hunger
Each month, our members collect nonperishable items and cash donations from generous shoppers at the local Dillon’s food store. These drives typically yield 500 to 700 pounds of food, which we distribute in the Lansing and Leavenworth areas to school food banks, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and other essential organizations. 

What sets this initiative apart is our hands-on approach: Any cash collected is immediately used to purchase additional food items there in the store, maximizing the immediate impact of every dollar. 

Investing in education
Our club gets involved in almost every aspect of students’ experience at Lansing Elementary School. We provide cash donations for books, supplies and other essentials, and during the annual book fair, we purchase books directly for classrooms to foster a love of reading. We also fund their STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs and are actively collaborating on fundraising for playground enhancements.  

We also support the school’s veterans’ program each year by providing food for events that honor our local heroes, many of whom have children in area schools. We also donate awards for the local spelling bee. 

Fueling creativity
One key event for us is the community pancake feed that we sponsor during the Lansing School Art Fair. This annual event features student artwork from all grade levels — elementary, intermediate, middle and high school — and offers the community a vibrant display of visual talent from across the district. Proceeds from the pancake feed help sustain our year-round activities, turning “flapjacks” into real community impact.  

Investing in the future
Each year, we proudly provide scholarships to high school graduates from the Lansing area who are embarking on paths in trade schools or higher education.  

Our scholarship program is a holistic investment in the community. By supporting students in diverse fields — from vocational trades such as plumbing, welding or automotive technology to academic pursuits in engineering, business, or the arts — we aim to build a more skilled and innovative workforce. We select awardees based on a mix of academic merit, community involvement and demonstrated passion, ensuring that our support reaches those who will make the most impact. It’s our way of strengthening the fabric of our hometown — and fostering the growth and potential of tomorrow’s leaders. 

Spreading holiday cheer and support
Our club makes a point of supporting other local organizations that serve the community. During the holiday season, for example, our club joins forces with the community to collect and pack food baskets for those in need. This tradition provides nutritious meals during a festive time while spreading warmth and solidarity throughout Lansing. 

In addition, we support the Lansing mayor’s Christmas drive with cash donations and volunteer efforts, helping to deliver holiday provisions to needy families. Our members also participate in the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle drive, ringing bells to attract donations that help provide emergency assistance and support for our local families.  

Advocating for vulnerable kids
With every project or partnership, we lead with Kiwanis values. Our partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) underscores our dedication to protecting the most vulnerable in our community. We provide cash donations to aid their mission of representing abused and neglected children in court. We also sponsor a table for the local CASA organization during its annual fundraising event.

The Lansing Kiwanis Club may be small, but our impact is profound. Through these initiatives, we’re not just addressing immediate needs — we’re fostering a sense of unity and resilience in Lansing.  

Community support boosts a Kiwanis club’s 34-year program.

By Linda Little, treasurer, Kiwanis Club of Mount Washington Valley 

The Angels & Elves project began in 1991 as a grassroots holiday assistance program serving families in the Mount Washington Valley of rural northern New Hampshire, U.S. As the program grew, the Kiwanis Club of Mount Washington Valley — a club of just 52 members — assumed stewardship in 2003, providing the organizational structure needed to sustain it long-term.  

Today, Angels & Elves has been supporting local families for 34 years — and the 2025 holiday season was the strongest in the program’s history. 

Last year, Angels & Elves served 489 children. Because of an extraordinary level of community involvement, every family received a US$50 grocery gift card, and every child was fully sponsored. Children received essential items needed for a New England winter — such as coats, boots and warm clothing — along with the Christmas wishes they asked for, ensuring each child received something chosen just for them. 

A community of helpers
While Kiwanis provides leadership and oversight, the work of Angels & Elves is carried out by a wide network of community volunteers. Some have been involved for decades, serving as team leaders and returning year after year to organize, wrap and distribute gifts. 

Local businesses play a major role in making the program possible. Many sponsor children directly, run fundraisers or host dine-to-donate events. Some local retailers also offer discounts to sponsors shopping locally for children. In addition to financial support, business owners and employees regularly volunteer their time, helping sort, wrap and organize gifts during the busiest weeks of the season. 

The program is strengthened by community partners who provide experiences and opportunities. Each year, the Mount Washington Valley Bicycle Club donates a few dozen bicycles, and the Conway Scenic Railroad hosts more than 400 children and their families aboard the Santa Express, allowing families to share a holiday experience together. 

Settlers Green, a local outlet mall, donates multiple locations each season — one serving as the operational hub for Angels & Elves and a second for Photos with Santa, a fully Kiwanis-run fundraiser that helps support the program. 

Because of the level of support received in 2025, Angels & Elves also was able to help other local holiday assistance efforts. 

Over the years, many people who first volunteered with Angels & Elves have gone on to become Kiwanis members.