Football-themed competition a touchdown for Oregon club

Football-themed competition a touchdown for Oregon club

Feb 2, 2026 | Club building, General interest | 0 comments

Learn how the Kiwanis Club of Grants Pass is gamifying recruitment.

By Erin Chandler

Kiwanians all around the United States may be gearing up for American pro football’s big game, but for the Kiwanis Club of Grants Pass, Oregon, U.S., kickoff happened in October — and will continue for the entire Kiwanis year. In lieu of a trophy, the winning team will get lunch courtesy of the losing team’s captain. And with a combination of luck, teamwork and competitive spirit, the club will end up with 12 new members. 

When the current membership chair, Bill Rossknecht, noticed the club was just 12 members short of 50, he decided to revive the “Membership Superbowl,” a fun recruitment strategy that had proved successful in 2013. In August, Rossknecht and immediate past membership chair Lonnie Johnson drafted club members into their two teams — one called “For the Kids,” and the other “Heart for Service.” Over the course of the year, a team will get three points each time a “player” brings a prospective club member to a meeting, seven points when they recruit a new club member, and 10 points if they get a previous member to rejoin the club.  

Four months into the 2025-26 competition, “Heart for Service” is in the lead — but more importantly, the Kiwanis Club of Grants Pass already has two new members.  

The competition “has increased awareness within the Grants Pass Kiwanis Club to share Kiwanis with friends and acquaintances,” Rossknecht says. 

The team captains make sure to prominently display the scoreboard at meetings and update it regularly to keep the competition at the top of everyone’s minds. As a result, club members have gotten invested in their teams, making the effort to invite more guests.  

Rossknecht believes the process has been successful, “in large part because of the fun, competitive atmosphere we’ve created.” He encourages any club struggling with membership to tackle the challenge with a similar game.  

No matter who ends up getting a free lunch, the whole club wins. 

For more creative ideas on how to build and strengthen your club’s membership, visit the club toolbox on our website. 

Kiwanis in Fiction III

Kiwanis in Fiction III

Jan 26, 2026 | General interest | 0 comments

More movies and TV shows that have name-checked Kiwanis from the 1990s through today

By Erin Chandler

Almost two years ago, we posted a list of popular movies and TV shows that referenced the Kiwanis family — and about one year ago, we posted the sequel, with more Kiwanis mentions in media from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.  

Now it’s time to tune in for Kiwanis in Fiction III: Return of Kiwanis. 

The following Kiwanis mentions in movies and TV from the 1990s through today were all spotted and suggested by Kiwanis staff members and readers like you. 

“The Simpsons” (1989-present)
Suggested by Kiwanis staff member Jennifer Morlan-Horner.
In season 29, episode 20 of “The Simpsons,” the Simpson family takes a trip to Denmark. Near the end of the episode, a woman who had previously been attracted to Homer Simpson (Dan Castellaneta) forgets all about him to swoon over another set of tourists: members of the fictional Kiwanis Club of Cheeseburg, Ohio, U.S. 

“Defending Your Life” (1991)
Suggested by Frank Sambets, Rusty Thomas and Kevin Kamper in comments on the Kiwanis International Facebook page
Following his death, Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) finds himself in Judgment City, an afterlife metropolis where the recently deceased reside in hotels while awaiting final judgment. Daniel’s hotel isn’t as fancy as the one where love interest Julia (Meryl Streep) is staying, but he’s in good company: A sign in the lobby reads, “WELCOME KIWANIS DEAD.”   

“Frasier” (1993-2004)
Found by author
In part one of this series, we learned that Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce) is a former Key Club member — but that is not the show’s only connection to the Kiwanis family. In season five, episode 20, Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) learns that his godfather’s brother was not only a member of a Kiwanis club in Seattle, Washington, U.S., but was so beloved by his fellow Kiwanians that they celebrated his life via a keg party following his wake.  

“The Sopranos” (1999-2007)
Suggested by Marin Valk in comments on the Kiwanis International Facebook page
In season six, episode six of “The Sopranos,” mobster Vito Spatafore (Joseph R. Gannascoli) flees his home in New Jersey, U.S., in fear of retaliation after he is seen in a gay bar. He takes refuge in the fictional town of Dartford, New Hampshire — a place that radiates safety, care and community, thanks in part to the Kiwanis logo attached to its welcome sign.  

“Parks and Recreation” (2009-2015)
Suggested by Kiwanis staff member Samantha Wagner
Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is a dedicated, enthusiastic public servant in her fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana, U.S. — so it’s no surprise that she is also a member of her local Kiwanis club. Leslie can be seen wearing a Kiwanis pin while infiltrating the city hall “boys’ club” in season one, episode four. Maybe the Kiwanis Club of Pawnee helped build some of the playgrounds Leslie oversees as a member of the parks and recreation department. 

“Letterkenny” (2016-2023)
Suggested by Kiwanis staff member Lauren Hack
The 5,000 people in the fictional town of Letterkenny, Ontario, Canada, have a lot of problems — but at least they have a Kiwanis club to help solve them. When the hockey players (Dylan Playfair and Andrew Herr) attempt to recruit farmer McMurray (Dan Petronijevic) to their new BROdude energy drink club in season eight, episode four, McMurray reveals he is already a member of several clubs, including Kiwanis and Canadian service organization Kin Canada. 

That’s all, folks! Or…is it? 
We doubt this is the last we’ll see of Kiwanis in popular media. So if you want Kiwanis in Fiction to stretch beyond a trilogy and become a series, let us know the next time you hear the Kiwanis name or see the Kiwanis logo onscreen. Email shareyourstory@kiwanis.org or post on the Kiwanis International group Facebook page. 

Key Club projects unite communities and Kiwanis family

Key Club projects unite communities and Kiwanis family

Jan 16, 2026 | General interest, Kiwanis Children's Fund, Service Leadership Programs, Service projects | 0 comments

The Kiwanis Children’s Fund awarded 47 Youth Opportunities Fund grants to outstanding Key Club projects in November. 

By Erin Chandler

Last year, Key Club International celebrated 100 years of making a difference in schools and communities around the world. The Kiwanis Children’s Fund established the Youth Opportunities Fund so Key Club leaders can continue taking action for the next 100 years and beyond.   

In November, the Children’s Fund awarded Youth Opportunities Fund grants for 47 outstanding Key Club projects that provide essential items for those in crisis, create memorable holidays for kids and families, plant gardens that serve as outdoor classrooms, and more. And many of them turn their projects into Kiwanis family affairs, involving other Key Clubs, Builders Clubs, K-Kids, Aktion Clubs and sponsoring Kiwanis clubs. 

In alphabetical order by club name, the top 11 projects — as determined by the Key Club International Board committee and Children’s Fund representatives — are:  

“Key to Sweet Dreams” Bedtime Kits
Boyd County High School Key Club, Kentucky, U.S.
The Boyd County High School Key Club leads a project that has grown to include five other Key Clubs, two Kiwanis clubs, a Builders Club and a K-Kids club across multiple counties. Through donations and fundraising, club members assemble bedtime kits containing a set of twin-size sheets, a comforter or blanket, a mattress cover, a pillow, a stuffed animal, a book, a night-light and an alarm clock — everything a child needs to form a healthy bedtime routine. Through a partnership with Ashland Build-A-Bed, the kits are given along with bedframes and mattresses to kids who need beds of their own to sleep in. Last year, a Youth Opportunities Fund grant helped the club provide over 175 kits, and this year, they hope to give even more, along with hygiene products and essential supplies for the whole family. 

WASH for Borana
Carmel High School Key Club, Indiana, U.S.
Thanks to the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) for Borana project, members of the Carmel High School Key Club will grow as leaders and environmentalists by organizing three fundraising events to bring clean and accessible drinking water to the Borana Zone in Ethiopia. A Youth Opportunities Fund grant will go toward supplies for Walk for Wells, a symbolic walk representing how long women and children must walk for water in the Borana Zone; Art for Access, a student and community art exhibition and auction that raises awareness about water insecurity; and the Splash Summit, a multi-school youth leadership conference on service, global health and sustainability. Proceeds from the three events will be allocated by the Holistic Relief Organization. 

Winter Blitz
Clackamas High School Key Club, Oregon, U.S.
Winter Blitz is a longstanding tradition (and recipient of multiple Youth Opportunities Fund grants) that calls for members of Clackamas High School Key Club and Adrienne C. Nelson High School Key Club to help those in need during the winter holidays. Each year, the two clubs organize fundraising events and donation drives to collect essential items like clothing, hygiene products, household goods, toys and even small appliances. Some of the items go into a free “storefront” at Clackamas High School, while others are delivered directly to families. Each year, Winter Blitz supports over 600 families — and each year Key Club members work to raise more funding and better tailor the event to community needs. 

Children’s Christmas Project
Foxcroft Academy Key Club, Maine, U.S.
In an area that ranks highest in Maine for poverty, food insecurity and mental health issues, the Foxcroft Academy Key Club is stepping up to make sure kids still have a magical holiday season. Parents submit lists of the winter clothing items and shoes their kids need as well as some of the toys they want. Key Club members with a budget of US$210 per child are then given the chance to “play Santa” — and the local Kiwanis club makes sure every child gets a pair of boots. A Youth Opportunities Fund grant will help the club meet its goal of sponsoring 30 children and allow for the purchase of more “fun” gifts like toys and games. 

Harvest Pack
Fridley Senior High School Key Club, Minnesota, U.S.
In 2025, Fridley Senior High School Key Club teamed up with classmates, its sponsoring Kiwanis club and the local Builders Club to pack 32,488 meals for people struggling with food security all over the world. This year, a Youth Opportunities Fund grant will help them attempt to pack even more meals during another Harvest Pack event. Volunteers spend all day weighing and adding healthy ingredients, packing boxes of meals and loading them into a truck that will take them to Harvest Pack for distribution. 

Hygiene Kits
Lincoln East High School Key Club, Nebraska, U.S.
A past Youth Opportunities Fund grant helped the Lincoln East High School Key Club surpass its goal of assembling 500 hygiene kits for those in need in the community. This year, another grant will help them assemble over 600 kits containing shampoo, bodywash, toothpaste, a toothbrush, bandages and other essential hygiene supplies — along with a handwritten or hand-drawn card from a Key Club member or member of the St. John School Builders Club. The kits will be distributed between Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, People’s City Mission and a new addition this year, the Foster Care Closet. 

Pollinator Garden
Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Key Club, Michigan, U.S.
With support from a Youth Opportunities Fund grant and the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Plymouth, the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Key Club will plant a wildflower pollinator garden on unused green space at Starkweather Academy school. Creating Habitats for Pollinators will provide seeds and supplies, while Key Club members and Starkweather Academy students will install and maintain the garden. By aiding biodiversity and conservation in the area, the pollinator garden will serve as a living outdoor classroom. 

Care Package Distribution Initiative
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College Key Club, New York, U.S.
After a community survey, the Queens High School for the Sciences at York College Key Club determined that the school’s neighborhood would benefit from two types of care packages: health packages containing Band-Aids, toiletries, alcohol wipes, hand sanitizer and feminine hygiene products; and educational packages containing books, writing utensils, notebooks and erasers. All packages will include handwritten notes of encouragement. With financial support from a Youth Opportunities Fund grant — and logistical support from the Kiwanis Club of Rosedale-Laurelton — Key Club members will give out the packages at bimonthly distribution events and donate any additional supplies to local community and senior centers. The club plans to assemble 300 packages in total. 

Care Bear Towels and Hygiene Packages
South River High School Key Club, Maryland, U.S.
A Youth Opportunities Fund grant will help the South River High School Key Club team up with the school’s National Organization for Women Club to create hygiene packages for Sarah’s House, a local emergency center for families experiencing homelessness. The packages will contain shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and other essential items, as well as towels folded into the shape of teddy bears. The club plans to assemble 125 kits — enough to help every resident of Sarah’s House.  

School Garden and Nutrition Project
St. Andrew High School for Girls Key Club, Jamaica
The St. Andrew High School Key Club will use a Youth Opportunities Fund grant to revive the school’s previously abandoned garden. Members of the Key Club and the St. Andrew Preparatory School Builders Club will plant and maintain the garden, which will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to the school cafeteria. The club hopes the garden will serve as a place to learn about sustainability, teamwork and nutrition, as well as a way of lowering the cost of school lunch. Surplus produce will be distributed to local families and primary schools. 

Knapp and Play Learning Center
Webster High School Key Club, South Dakota, U.S.
The whole community of Webster is coming together to support the opening of the new Knapp and Play Learning Center, a daycare and after-school program for children from infancy through fifth grade — in a building donated by a Kiwanian! For the Webster High School Key Club, which has been helping to set up the center, a Youth Opportunities Fund grant will help purchase cubbies, chalkboards, art supplies, games and books. Other supplies will be donated by local businesses and collected by Builders Club and Key Club members. 

How to get involved 
Does your Key Club have a project idea that could benefit from a Youth Opportunities Fund grant? Learn more about the grant and how to apply on the Key Club website. If your club does not yet sponsor a Key Club, learn about the advantages of chartering one today.