In Indiana, U.S., Kiwanians joined Rotarians to help create 1,976 acts of kindness. 

By Tony Knoderer 

The Kiwanis Club of Carmel, Indiana, U.S., made partnership a strength for everyone to see on August 5 — by joining the local Rotary club for a civic event that engaged the whole community.  

On that day, Carmel celebrated its 50th anniversary as a city with the Jim Irsay 1,976 Acts of Kindness Day. Irsay, who passed away in 2025, was the owner of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League — as well as a Kiwanian and a Rotarian.  

In honor of the anniversary, the event’s goal was to complete 1,976 acts of kindness in a single day.  

“It’s important to have partnerships for events like this,” says Trevor Nicholas, president of the Carmel Kiwanis club. “Just like when an individual member joins a club and his or her efforts are multiplied, the same thing applies when clubs partner together to create an even bigger team. Our efforts are way greater than the sum of our parts.”  

In addition to the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs — and support from the Colts — dozens of businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations participated as donors and volunteers. The daylong event began in the morning with public addresses from various leaders, including Kiwanis International Executive Director Paul Palazzolo and club member Brad Boyd. Attendees and participants included representatives from Carmel Fire Fighters, Indiana University North Hospital and others.  

“I’m just honored to be a part of something like this,” Nicholas says. “Before being Kiwanians, we’re citizens of our city, of our country, so it’s important that we give back and have pride in our communities.  

“And what better way to do that — and to celebrate — than to serve.” 

Snack packs and backsacks
Throughout the day, that service included more than 40 projects across the city, from food drives that supported multiple pantries to school-supply drives and educational workshops.  

As a group, the Kiwanis club helped to assemble 1,000 “seeds of caring” snack packs for Horizon House, a local charity that serves people experiencing homelessness, and put together 300 menstrual-care packs for Indy Hygiene Hub, which serves Indiana families in need.   

At one event, “Pack the Cruiser,” various Kiwanians and Rotarians joined Carmel Police and employees of Kroger to load items into a police car at a local Kroger grocery store. Shoppers were given a list of needed items — such as cereal cups, applesauce pouches and granola bars — and those who participated brought the items back to the volunteers in the parking lot.  

The items were then driven to Merciful H.E.L.P. Center. Through its Carmel Backsacks Project, the center provides two-day “backsacks” to children who are at risk of extreme hunger during weekends. Kiwanians and Rotarians joined local church members and other people from the community to pack food and drinks into decorated bags with positive messages for the recipients. 

“We would never try to accomplish any of our missions by ourselves,” says Jayne Slaton, executive director of Merciful H.E.L.P. Center. “We always incorporate other agencies, caring agencies, caring churches — anybody.” 

Such volunteer work is also a vital resource for Indy Hygiene Hub, says Bayley Petre, one of the organization’s board members: “Many hands make light work. We couldn’t do it without our partners who provide help, provide the products and help provide the volunteers. Tonight has been a wonderful night.” 

Make a connection
Words like that are music to the ears of Rick Markoff, the Carmel Rotary club member who was chairman of the Jim Irsay 1,976 Acts of Kindness Day and cochairman of the 50th anniversary of the city of Carmel.   

“What we saw is service organizations coming together, businesses coming together,” Markoff says. “All because they’re motivated to do something special, other than handing over a check. The most precious thing a person can give to any entity is their time.”  

For Trevor Nicholas, the Kiwanis club’s president, the community-wide event was a reminder that the effort of reaching out is a key part of collaboration.  

“Partnerships like this and events like this don’t happen if you don’t ask,” he says. “So make a call. Send an email. Make a connection and see what happens. You never know what can come about when people get together and come up with creative ideas.” 

A corporate member helps reach young people with vision impairments.

By Julie Saetre

In Florida, U.S., the Fort Myers Metro-McGregor Kiwanis Club has long supported Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering people of all ages who live with visual impairments or blindness. In fact, Lighthouse is a corporate member of the club — which means that a representative of its choice attends club meetings, service projects and fundraisers. 

“We have been partners with Lighthouse for many years,” says Rachel Toomey, public relations chair for the Fort Myers Metro-McGregor club. “One of our club members, Kate Smiley, has been inspired through that work to also serve on the Lighthouse board of directors.” 

This year, Smiley led a club effort to provide Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which incorporate artificial-intelligence (AI) technology, to the young people whom Lighthouse serves. Initial users of these high-tech accessories were consumers who embraced the opportunity to take photos, record videos and stream music without a cell phone in hand. But it quickly became apparent that the glasses — equipped with a built-in camera and multi-microphone array — could be even more impactful for people with visual impairments or blindness. 

The AI component of the glasses can describe surroundings, read text, identify objects and more. As a result, the glasses can help a visually impaired or blind person read mail and email, menus, clothing labels, expiration dates and other components of daily life that others take for granted. The glasses also can identify objects, describe surroundings, help users navigate a room and more. 

Seeing possibilities
As the prices of Ray-Ban Meta glasses became more affordable — core entry-level versions now start around US$299 — Smiley saw possibilities for a collaboration. A $3,5000 grant from the Florida Kiwanis Foundation enabled the Fort Myers Metro-McGregor club to purchase 10 Ray-Ban Meta glasses. 

Teens at Lighthouse who use the glasses report that they have become more connected to family and friends — in part because the technology helps them take and post photos and videos for social media and communicate more easily through phone calls. 

“One teen previously could only read one side of a book because of her low vision,” explains Toomey. “But with the glasses, she can now read independently.” 

With a simple voice command, young people using the glasses also have the opportunity to connect with a live volunteer 24/7 through the Be My Eyes app. Calls through the app are unlimited, anonymous and available in over 150 countries, offering more personalization when AI isn’t sufficient. 

After Lighthouse distributed the glasses, an organization representative visited the Kiwanis club to share recipients’ reactions via a video and describe the immediate impact. Some club members were so inspired that they donated personal funds for the purchase of additional glasses. 

“This agency doesn’t just scratch the surface when it comes to helping those that are visually impaired and/or blind,” says Kim Berghs, secretary/treasurer of the Metro-McGregor club. “They’re always finding new and innovative ways to help this population. It’s been a wonderful partnership, and we love having the agency as a corporate member of our club.” 

About corporate membership
Does your club have a corporate member that creates partnerships that expand your impact? Let us know by emailing [email protected].  

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