Kiwanians provide fire relief

Kiwanians provide fire relief

A club president in California shares the experience of serving a nearby community struck by a historic wildfire. 

Editor’s note: In January 2025, the Eaton wildfire in Southern California, U.S., killed at least 19 people and destroyed over 9,000 buildings. It was the second most destructive wildfire in California’s history and the fifth deadliest.  

By Alice Perez, president, Kiwanis Club of La Cañada 

When the Eaton fire tore through the hills above Altadena, California, it left a trail of devastation — and a call to action. To this day, driving by the area affects all who pass, including members of the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada. In fact, many of our club’s members were forced to evacuate during the fire. But once they could meet again, their first thought was: How can we best help those hit the hardest? 

Immediately, our club formed a Fire Relief Subcommittee with a heartfelt mission: to help the 27 teachers and staff members of La Cañada Unified School District 27 who had lost their homes. 

That compassionate impulse quickly grew into something bigger — so we sought help from the Kiwanis California Nevada Hawaii District. The club submitted a proposal for a Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha (CNH) Children’s Fund Disaster Assistance Matching Grant.  

Much to our members’ joy, it was approved. The CNH Children’s Fund Board voted to provide a matching grant from the Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund Disaster Assistance Program to our club’s US$13,500 proposal. The combined contributions, totaling $27,000, made it possible to provide $1,000 directly to each of the 27 displaced school teachers and staff. 

“When our teachers hurt, our children feel it too,” says Bob Larsen, president of the CNH Children’s Fund. “By helping these educators and school staff recover, we’re investing in the future of our children.” 

The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada members (above) gather to thank the Cal-Nev-Ha Children’s Fund Disaster Assistance Program for their amazing matching grant which helped 27 teachers and staff of the La Cañada Unified School District who lost homes in the Eaton Fire. (Photo courtesy of Trish McRae)

Restoring dignity and comfort
The recipients’ responses were deeply moving. “Yesterday, I received the $1,000 disaster relief check from Kiwanis and it brought me to tears,” one teacher wrote. “Support like this reminds me that even in the midst of such loss, we are not alone.” 

Another instructor wrote: “I have always felt the support of Kiwanis and all that they do to honor our Terrific Kids. You are a special organization that truly lives up to its mission to improve the world one child and one community at a time. As time passes, it is nice to know that we haven’t been forgotten.” 

The La Cañada club didn’t stop there. We assembled Welcome Home Kits to benefit Union Station Homeless Services, located near the Eaton Fire burn zone. That project was inspired by a fire relief initiative led by California-Nevada-Hawaii Division 03 Lieutenant Governor Trish McRae. 

“Recovery is not only about rebuilding homes,” McRae says. “It’s about restoring dignity and comfort. These Welcome Home Kits are small gifts with a big message: You are seen. You are supported. And you are not alone.” 

Our club also is directing a portion of the proceeds from our second annual Golf Ball Drop fundraiser to assist the 250 La Cañada Unified School District students impacted by the disaster — demonstrating that the Kiwanis commitment to service reaches far beyond a single event or donation. 

Get social media assets for your club

Get social media assets for your club

Add visual flair and positive messages to your feeds — for free.

By Tony Knoderer

Don’t forget: Kiwanis International can help you put more fun and color into your club’s social media feeds. Our webpage of assets offers items that are ready to download and use! 

Choose from an assortment of photographs and illustrations to catch people’s attention, along with words that inspire people to serve, mentor and more. You’ll even find assets and messaging that fit seasonal appeals or encourage people to celebrate educators. 

On the webpage, we also offer optional text that you can combine with each asset. If you wish, copy and paste the text into your Facebook, Instagram and X feeds. You can also adjust it to fit your club’s specific needs and information. 

Our social media assets are just one page among several in the branding and marketing section that we make available to Kiwanis club members on our website. Check out the links to downloadable logos, photographs and much more — including our free service for creating club websites 

It’s all part of the support that helps your club represent Kiwanis with quality and consistency.

Five fundraiser fundamentals 

Five fundraiser fundamentals 

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.