Five fundraiser fundamentals 

Five fundraiser fundamentals 

Aug 8, 2025 | Fundraising, General interest, Service projects | 0 comments

Here are tips for launching or refreshing your club’s event.

By Tony Knoderer

Service is the heart of Kiwanis. But service projects require money.  

That’s why fundraising events are crucial to Kiwanis clubs. Whether your club is launching a fundraiser or updating an established one, we offer five fundamentals for making it work: 

  1. Make it sustainable. As a club, answer these questions: Do we have the time and ability to make this event successful over time? Does the event have growth potential? Are we making the best use of our resources and relationships?  
  2. Promote your cause and your club. Your event may be the public’s first opportunity to learn about your cause. Same for your club and even Kiwanis. Make sure every attendee understands what they’re supporting — and that your club is helping them support it.  
  3. Highlight local culture. Is there an industry or a “scene” that’s important in your town? Is there a sport or a team that unifies the community? Whatever is special in your area, make it a part of your event — and include the people, businesses and organizations that make it special. The Lititz Chocolate Walk is a great example on our blog.  
  4. Have fun! Ultimately, Kiwanis is about kids — so make your event playful and light, even if all the attendees are adults. Keep in mind that if club members themselves don’t embrace the event, it might not be the right one. 
  5. Follow up. People who attend your fundraiser may be interested in becoming members or partnering with your club. Don’t wait for them to get in touch. Reach out! 

Looking for more ideas? Check out this step-by-step guide to creating a silent auction. And if your club needs to re-evaluate a current fundraiser altogether, see how some of our ACE tools can help. 

Peck Fox receives 2025 Circle of Service Award 

Peck Fox receives 2025 Circle of Service Award 

Aug 7, 2025 | General interest, News, Service projects | 0 comments

The honor recognizes the Kiwanian’s contributions to Circle K International.

By Destiny Cherry

Peck Fox has been awarded the 2025 Circle of Service Award by Circle K International (CKI), the Kiwanis Service Leadership Program for university students. A member of the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. — and the Alabama District administrator for CKI — Fox was honored in June during the 2025 CKI Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. (See above, with 2024-25 CKI President Taylor DiCicco.) 

The Circle of Service award annually honors one or more individuals within Kiwanis International who have made the most outstanding contribution to CKI. 

Fox’s affiliation with the Kiwanis family began in 1975, when he joined the University of Alabama’s CKI club. He was a member of the board that created the Alabama CKI Luminaries project — the club’s annual signature project, during which members raise money by lighting lanterns and selling items on the university quad. Fox went on to serve as a CKI international trustee, further strengthening his love for service and the community. 

A distinguished record
Fox met his wife during his time in CKI, and soon after his time at the University of Alabama, he took a job as the Alabama District’s administrator. He has won the honor of distinguished administrator for the past four years.  

Fox’s connection to the Kiwanis family also includes his own family: His daughter is a past governor of CKI’s Alabama District, and his son-in-law is a past CKI president. 

Fox has been described as a mentor, leader, confidant and a supporter. He has also been described as loyal, compassionate, impactful and selfless. These traits have made a lasting impact on the youth he has served and the communities he has touched.

“Peck Fox is such an outstanding Kiwanian,” says Dillian Alcorn, current lieutenant governor of the Alabama District. “He has made an impact on so many people’s lives that if we could get a testament from each and every person he has impacted, we would have to turn in an entire book.” 

 

Key Club International names Key of Honor recipients 

Key Club International names Key of Honor recipients 

Aug 1, 2025 | General interest, News, Service Leadership Programs | 0 comments

Christine Greene and Lauri Berry receive Key Club’s highest honor. 

By Destiny Cherry

Two Key Club International volunteers were recently recognized with the organization’s highest service award: The Key of Honor, which acknowledges a volunteer’s lifelong positive impact upon youth in general and Key Club specifically.  

The Key Club International Board presented Lauri Berri (above right) of St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S., and Christine Greene (above left) of Saco, Maine, U.S., with the 2025 awards during the Key Club International Convention in Orlando, Florida, U.S., in July. 

Christine Greene
Greene’s Key Club journey began in 1985, when she became the faculty advisor at Hermon High School in Hermon, Maine, where she taught English for 31 years. In 2001, Greene joined the New England & Bermuda Key Club District Board as an area advisor. There she mentored Key Club International club officers, ran training workshops and helped edit member newsletters. 

Greene held her teaching, faculty advisor and adult area advisor positions until her retirement from Hermon High School in 2012. From there, she spent the next 13 years serving as a volunteer adult area advisor in her district. 

A former member of Greene’s Key Club and current lieutenant governor, Kayla Adams — as well as other former members and coworkers — had no shortage of compliments about Greene.  

“Mrs. Greene always strived to get the best out of her students,” Adams says. “For many she was more than just an advisor; she was a mentor and a role model. She always strived to push her leaders to be the best that they could be.” 

Greene is the first woman from the New England & Bermuda District to receive this award. Her dedication has also been recognized through the placement of her name on the Kiwanis International Tablet of Honor, which recognized recipients’ dedication to Kiwanis, their club or their community. 

Greene officially retired from her duties in April 2025 after 40 years of service to Key Club and 35 years of teaching.  

Lauri Berry
Berry currently teaches at St. Joseph High School. She became the founding faculty advisor for the St. Joseph High School Key Club in 2005, a role she has held for 20 years.  

Before founding her school’s Key Club, Berry offered guidance and mentorship to students as the culinary arts teacher, baking club advisor, blood drive coordinator and musical costume designer. Afterward, she added three new roles: Kiwanis International convention chaperone, district board parent volunteer and chaperone, and district convention awards coordinator and judge.  

Last year, Berry was awarded the 2024 Michigan District of Key Club Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award.  

She is also an active member of the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Kiwanis Club. Renea Callery, a Michigan District past governor and Student Learning Programs chair, recalls Berry being “equally committed to the ideals of Kiwanis, fostering strong partnerships between the Key Club and our local Kiwanis chapter.” 

In her letter of summation for Berry’s nomination, 2024-25 Michigan District Secretary Layla Garcia wrote: “Mrs. Berry excels at inspiring students to become compassionate, responsible and engaged citizens, as shown by the international vice president, four district governors and countless other district board members who have come from her Key Club.”