Kiwanis members change the world — one child and one community at a time. From playgrounds and parks to festivals and fundraisers, signature projects are what Kiwanis clubs are known for in their communities.

Kiwanis International’s Signature Project Recognition Program and Contest celebrates the great work being done by clubs and showcases the many club-level projects Kiwanians undertake around the world to make a difference in communities. (See the contest details.)

 

2022 Group One (clubs with 27 or fewer members)

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Chelsea — New England and Bermuda District​ Track and Field Day Winners video

After a year of pandemic lockdowns, members of the Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S., say it was great to see kids being kids — running, being silly, having fun and smiling. Each year, the club hosts Track & Field Day in the community. Any student from kindergarten through grade 12 can compete in any of nine challenges. Participants also have fun with hula-hoops and water balloons. Every member of the 24-person Chelsea Kiwanis Club gets involved in the project, which also raises money for four scholarships or apprenticeships.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of North Port — Florida District​​ Children’s Community Clothing Closet Winners video

Families from 11 schools can turn to the Children’s Community Clothing Closet in North Port, Florida, U.S., for help. Created for area families who might not be able to afford school uniforms or dress clothing, the closet is managed by the Kiwanis Club of North Port. In 2021, club members increased their outreach and met more families at community events. They even provided clothing to families in Louisiana and Tennessee when those states dealt with natural disasters.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Greater Swedesboro — New Jersey District Run/Sit/Walk Winners video

A New Jersey District Kiwanis club chartered in 2015 is already making a big difference in the community. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Swedesboro, New Jersey, U.S., quickly figured out a way to make an impact for kids in the community and grow its ranks. Soon after being chartered, the club got to work on creating its signature project: the 08085 Run/Walk/Sit, named after the ZIP code for the community the club serves. Participants choose whether to run or walk on a paved, dirt or wetland path. It’s quickly becoming a popular event. The club has raised more than US$21,000 in five years and added 25 members to the roster.

2022 Group Two (clubs with 28 or more members)

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Olympia — Pacific Northwest District Food Bank Gardens’ Greenhouse Winners video

The Kiwanis Club of Olympia, Washington, U.S., raises, harvests and donates between 25,000 and 35,000 pounds of produce every year. What started as one garden on a small plot in 1990 is now three gardens, where one of them measures about two acres. The produce — such as carrots, peas and potatoes — is sent to the local food bank where the need for fresh fruits and vegetables is insatiable. The club is working to build a greenhouse on one of the farms to provide fresh produce year-round.

Silver

Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana — Indiana District Balloon Fest Winners video

The Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Fest — created by the Kiwanis Club of South Central Indiana, U.S. — has quickly become one of the most popular annual fall festivals in the Bloomington and Monroe County community. Every September, thousands of people come out to see the hot-air balloons’ myriad colors, shapes and sizes. All proceeds from the festival support six Little Free Libraries in underserved neighborhoods and other youth programming by the club’s nonprofit partners.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Appleton-Fox Cities — Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District Kiwanis ‘n Cops ‘n Kids Winners video

When COVID-19 caused most of its community to shut down, the Kiwanis Club of Appleton-Fox Cities, Wisconsin, U.S., found a way to meet the need. The club created the Kiwanis ‘n Cops ‘n Kids Reading Together project. The club organized times for police officers to read to kids with appropriate social distancing, such as outside at Little Free Libraries. The club also distributed books, focusing on stories that involve Hmong and Latino characters so that all the kids could see themselves represented in the stories. The project was such a success that the club plans to continue to schedule more readings in the months and years ahead.

2022 Group I Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
California-Nevada-Hawaii District	Kiwanis Club of Moorpark	Breakfast with Santa
Eastern Canada & the Caribbean District	Kiwanis Club of The Garden Parish, Ocho Rios	Primary School Reading Garden
Italy-San Marino District	Kiwanis Club Pescara	Lillo and Billo, the Bully
New York District	Kiwanis Club of Springville	Pageant of Bands
Pacific Northwest District	Kiwanis Club of Caveman, Grants Pass	Holiday Candies Annual Fundraiser
Philippine Luzon District	Kiwanis Club of Quezon Magic, Lucena City	Spoonful of Hope
Rocky Mountain District	Kiwanis Club of Longmont	Toys For Kids

2022 Group II Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
Alabama District	Kiwanis Club of Decatur	Kiwanis Pancake Day
California-Nevada-Hawaii District	Kiwanis Club of Palmdale West	Christmas Giving Project
Capital District	Kiwanis Club of Staunton	Baseball: 1946-2022
Georgia District	Kiwanis Club of Statesboro	Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair
Michigan District	Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor	Club Thrift Sale
New England and Bermuda District	Kiwanis Club of Manchester	Walk with a Child
Southwest District	Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque	Balloon Fiesta Fundraiser

 

2021 Group One (clubs with 27 or fewer members)

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Candelaria — Philippine Luzon District Hand-Washing Facilities and Safe Drinking Water Winners video

The Kiwanis Club of Candelaria from the Philippine Luzon District builds hand-washing facilities and safe drinking water stations at schools in the community.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown — Pennsylvania District Jenkintown Sunset 5K Run Winners video

The Kiwanis Club of Jenkintown from the Pennsylvania District hosts the Jenkintown Sunset 5K Run, which has become the largest evening races in suburban Philadelphia.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Centennial Hills — California-Nevada-Hawaii District Color Walk/Run and Car Show Winners video

The Color Walk/Run and Car Show by the Kiwanis Club of Centennial Hills from the California-Nevada-Hawaii District raises funds to purchase playground equipment that is accessible for all kids. Group Two (clubs with 28 or more members)

2021 Group Two (clubs with 28 or more members)

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay — Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run Winners video

The 2021 Kiwanis Signature Project Contest Group II Gold Award is presented to the Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay in the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District. The club’s Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Walk/Run has become the social event of the year.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Northmount, Calgary — Western Canada District Kiwanis Christmas Gift and Toy Project Winners video

The Kiwanis gift and toy project by the Kiwanis Club of Northmount, Calgary from the Western Canada District brings smiles to kids whose families may be struggling to celebrate the holiday season.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Port Charlotte Sunrise — Florida District Sunrise Kiwanis Shoes for Kids Winners video

The Sunrise Kiwanis Shoes for Kids signature project by the Kiwanis Club of Port Charlotte Sunrise in the Florida District has provided thousands of new shoes for kids who don’t have proper footwear.

2021 Group I Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
Eastern Canada and the Caribbean	Kiwanis Club of Windsor	Back To School Program
Florida	Kiwanis Club of Venice	Every Kid Needs Pajamas and a Book
Minnesota-Dakotas	Kiwanis Club of Early Risers, Worthington	All-Inclusive Playground at Chautauqua Park
New York	Kiwanis Club of East Farmingdale	Green Dreams
Pacific Northwest	Kiwanis Club of Silverdale	Monthly Food Drive for Central Kitsap Food Bank
Texas-Oklahoma	Kiwanis Club of Pleasant Grove, Dallas	Jerry’s Dream Camp Kiwanis 2019
Wisconsin-Upper Michigan	Kiwanis Club of Racine	Kiwanis Bring Up Grades Program

2021 Group II Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
California-Nevada-Hawaii	Kiwanis Club of Oceanside Pacific	Beach Fun Day
Capital	Kiwanis Club of Roanoke	Kiwanis Centennial Playground
Germany	Kiwanis Club of Garmisch-Partenkirchen	Triple Prevention for Children and Adolescents
Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee	Kiwanis Club of Dawn Busters, Metairie	Annual Turkey Fry Fundraiser
Minnesota-Dakotas	Kiwanis Club of Sioux Falls	Kiwanis Pancake House
Nebraska-Iowa	Kiwanis Club of Fairfield	Fairfield Kiwanis Kids Day Parade and Pancakes
Philippine Luzon	Kiwanis Club of Canlubang	Garden and Children’s Playground

 

2020 Group One (clubs with 27 or fewer members)

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Ormond Beach — Florida District Kiwanis READS! Summer Reading Challenge Winners video

The Kiwanis Club of Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S., is creating energetic and passionate readers by building home and classroom libraries. So far, the club has provided 2,319 books to students and teachers at a local elementary school. The club says the project engages students. The school finished third among all Florida schools in the number of minutes read in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Oak Lawn Area — Illinois-Eastern Iowa District Feed 6 Mega Event Winners video

Along with the need for food assistance in greater Oak Lawn, Illinois, U.S, there is an equal need for a network of organizations working on hunger issues. The Kiwanis Club of Oak Lawn Area is working to fill those needs. The club co-chaired the Feed 6 Mega Event, where 350 volunteers created 50,000 meals of enhanced macaroni and cheese for nearly 30 area food pantries.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of the Adelaide Hills — Australia District Kiwanis Book Shop Winners video

The Kiwanis Book Shop, run by the Kiwanis Club of Adelaide Hills, Australia, is the soul of its community. Money raised in the shop funds services for children and adults from underserved communities. The club gives AUS$5 vouchers to students in the Terrific Kids program to purchase books at the shop.

2020 Group Two (clubs with 28 or more members)

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Prescott — Southwest District Live Annual Auction Winners video

Going once. Going twice. Gone! Every year, the Kiwanis Club of Prescott, Arizona, U.S., auctions thousands of items donated by local businesses. The auction is broadcast on the cable access channel and by live stream for three hours every weekday night for two weeks. The nearly US$175,000 raised every year is used to fund many community programs. This signature project has been going on for so long that some current members remember their grandparents participating.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Ames-Town and Country — Nebraska-Iowa District Teen Maze Winners video

Choices have consequences — good and bad. It’s a lesson the Kiwanis Club of Ames-Town and Country, Iowa, U.S., are teaching through their signature project. Teen Maze, an interactive two-hour game, helps teens understand how to make intelligent, informed decisions.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Mansfield — Ohio District Friendly House Winners video

The Friendly House provides an affordable and safe afterschool program for families in Mansfield, Ohio, U.S. To help kids get there, the Kiwanis Club of Mansfield celebrated its 100th anniversary by providing the center with a bus — and it hopes to buy a second one. Since 1922, the club has donated US$3.3 million in funds and services to the program.

2020 Group I Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
Georgia	Kiwanis Club of Conyers	Helping Kids Read and Lead
Iceland-Faroes	Kiwanis Club of Dyngja Reykjavík	Weekend Retreat Center for Children
Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee	Kiwanis Club of New Orleans	Painting with a Purpose — Ceiling Tiles for Children’s Hospital of New Orleans
New Zealand-South Pacific	Kiwanis Club of Christchurch	The Women and Children’s Emergency Housing Shelter
Ohio	Kiwanis Club of North Ridgeville	Trykes for Tikes
Philippine Luzon	Kiwanis Club of New Lucena Central	Eat and Learn
Texas-Oklahoma	Kiwanis Club of Edinburg	Wish Upon a Cure

2020 Group II Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
Kentucky-Tennessee	Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village, Loudon	Robotics/STEM in the School
Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee	Kiwanis Club of Dawn Busters, Metairie	Rewards for Reading
Pacific Northwest	Kiwanis Club of Gig Harbor	Kiwanis Cares for Kids
Philippine Luzon	Kiwanis Club of Lucena Kalilayan	K-Jipney, Kalilayan’s Partner in Service
Philippine-South	Kiwanis Club of Geo-Ormoc	Protect Children Rights
Texas-Oklahoma	Kiwanis Club of Paris	Paris Kiwanis Pancake Days 2019
Wisconsin-Upper Michigan	Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha	Taste of Wisconsin

 

2019 Winners

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Montgomery — Alabama District Winners video

Since 1954, the Alabama National Fair has provided fun for all ages, thanks to days filled with events, competitions, exhibits, vendors and rides. The Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, Alabama, U.S., organizes the fair every year and has contributed more than US$7.4 million to children in need during its 65-year run.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Bendigo — Australia District Winners video

A community assessment in Bendigo, Australia, showed poor literacy rates among the community’s children. The Kiwanis Club of Bendigo works to reverse that trend by placing book boxes in places where children visit. Kids can read, borrow, swap or keep the books, having fun while enhancing their reading abilities. The project has been so successful that several other charitable groups have joined the effort.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge — Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District Winners video

The Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S, doesn’t just do a pancake breakfast – it’s a festival. And for 45 of the festival’s 69 years, it’s been a place where children perform and show their art. That’s because the club discovered that kids benefit from an opportunity to publicly display their talents to a wide audience. The event has evolved into one of the largest and oldest juried talent shows in Louisiana. Additionally, the club raises nearly US$25,000 each year from the festival for service projects.

2019 Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
Japan	Kiwanis Club of Tokyo	Free Restaurant for Latchkey Kids Project
Malaysia	Kiwanis Club of Taman Sentosa	Kiwanis Careheart Centre
Netherlands	Kiwanis Club Woerden ‘t Groene Hart	Speelgoedbank Woerden / Woerden Toy Bank
New Zealand-South Pacific	Kiwanis Club of Oceanside	Kiwanis Threads Across the Pacific
Philippine South	Kiwanis Club of Gensan Dynamic Movers	Silip-Linis Tenga / Ear Check and Hygiene
Taiwan	Kiwanis Club of Dah Dah	Kiwanis Blood Donation Event
Western Canada	Kiwanis Club of Calgary	Kiwanis Apple Festival

 

2018 Winners

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia District Winners video

Every year about 500 babies in Malaysia are born with Down syndrome. To help these children and families, the Kiwanis Club of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, created the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation-National Centre.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Los Altos — California-Nevada-Hawaii District Winners video

This year, 900 athletes participated in the Kiwanis Special Games hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Los Altos, California, U.S. Children who are part of the Adaptive Physical Education programs in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties in California compete in the 18 events tailored to fit the abilities of all athletes.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Varese — Italy-San Marino District Winners video

Martino Piccolo Martin isn’t like the other wolves. And the children in Italy and Switzerland know that’s exactly what makes him so special. Martin is the main character in “Martino Piccolo Lupo” — a book designed for talking about autism to children.

2018 Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
Capital	Kiwanis Club of Smithfield	Kiwanis Kid’s Fishing Clinic
Eastern Canada and the Caribbean	Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston	Kiwanis / Jarrett’s Literacy Improvement Programme
Georgia	Kiwanis Club of Macon	Teen Driving Roadeo
Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee	Kiwanis Club of Cortana, Baton Rouge	The Cortana Kiwanis Christmas Parade
Nebraska-Iowa	Kiwanis Club of Dobytown, Kearney	Back 2 School Link – School Backpack Project
Netherlands	Kiwanis Club of Rotterdam	HEBI Foundation
New England and Bermuda	Kiwanis Club of Stamford	Kiwanis Smiles
New Jersey	Kiwanis Club of Livingston	Kiwanis Karnival/ARC Morning
New Zealand-South Pacific	Kiwanis Club of Morrinsville	Kiwanis One Day Fun Day
Philippine Luzon	Kiwanis Club of Palawan	Hope Sails to Palawan

 

2017 Winners

GOLD

Kiwanis Club of Des Moines — Nebraska-Iowa District Winners video

Little league baseball is a rite of passage for many children, and the Kiwanis Miracle League at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., makes it possible for kids who live with disabilities to take a turn at bat and run the bases.

SILVER

Kiwanis Club of Massapequa — New York District Winners video

The Kiwanis Club of Massapequa, New York, U.S., knew it could no longer look the other way. Heroin abuse was happening in their community, and even families within the club were dealing with the horrific effects of addiction. So the club decided to do something about it.

BRONZE

Kiwanis Club of Wan Hua — Taiwan District Winners video

The Kiwanis Children’s Film Festival started in 1994, when the Wan Hua Kiwanis Club in Taiwan discovered that many children had no place to go during their hot summer vacations.

2017 Finalists

DISTRICT	CLUB	PROJECT
California-Nevada-Hawaii	Kiwanis Club of Glendale	Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash Kids
France-Monaco	Kiwanis Club of Issoire Val d’Allier	L’yssoirienne Courir a Issoire pour un enfant
Indiana	Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis	Abe Lincoln Scholarship Awards
Japan	Kiwanis Club of Tokyo	Kiwanis Doll Project
Kansas	Kiwanis Club of Kansas City-West	Bike Safety and Car Seat Check
Panama	Kiwanis Club of Panama City	Kiwanis Football League
Switzerland-Liechtenstein	Kiwanis Club of Langenthal	ParAthletics
Texas-Oklahoma	Kiwanis Club of Stilwell	Stilwell Strawberry Festival