North Phoenix Kiwanis History
In 1974 a group of business and professional men and women formed the Deer
Valley Kiwanis Club. In 1979, the name was changed to the Metrocenter Kiwanis club to reflect its location near
Metrocenter mall.
This would not be the last name change however.
Just a few years ago, the Metrocenter Kiwanis club merged with the Praying Monks chapter to form one larger and
stronger group that could make a bigger impact in the lives of children in Phoenix. Although the name and some of the
faces have changed over the years, and many new programs have been added to the existing ones, the original mission and purpose
of both clubs remains in tact: to make a positive impact in the lives of children throughout the Phoenix area. Today
North Phoenix Kiwanis is over 25 members strong and growing every day.
_______________________________________________________________
North Phoenix Kiwanis in the present
Our current Chapter has two main functions:
Primary Function
Kiwanis Volunteer/ community service projects
North Phoenix Kiwanis
raises money with fundraisers like our annual Walk-A-Thon and through tax deductible donations. These funds are then used to provide underprivileged children in our community with some of the
tools needed to be happy and successful.
Some of these projects (just to name a few):
- Thanksgiving Turkey Trot which provided Thanksgiving meals to 119 families last year
-
Christmas gifts for kids (60 Kids from low income families)
- Bring Up Grades (BUG)
Program/Pizza parties (50 kids)
- Dictionaries for students (over 250 provided this current school year)
-
Support the charity For Those Without a Voice
In addition to these projects funded by North Phoenix
Kiwanis, many of our members also volunteer their time at other events:
- Assist
with the annual Special Olympics (Feb)
- Install playground equipment
- Feed the homeless (Andre House/5th Tuesday of each month)
