Service Projects
Kiwanis Club of Dixon, IL is involved in a number of service projects throughout the year. Below is just a sample of our major projects:
Kiwanis members volunteer to read books in all first-grade classrooms one day per week for three consecutive weeks. At the close of the program, Kiwanis provides one children’s book for each student free of charge. Schools involved include Dixon and Grand Detour, both public and parochial. Season: April/May
Our club provides a Hard Worker plaque to two students (one female, one male) in each fourth-grade classroom in all Dixon schools, public and parochial. The students are selected by their teachers based on their effort, leadership and positive attitude. Season: May
Students are awarded each quarter for bringing up at least one grade, while maintaining all other grades. Straight “A” students are awarded with “Super BUG” status. A variety of BUG incentives are available, such as certificates, t-shirts and pencils. Participating schools include St. Anne’s and St. Mary’s of Dixon. Season: School Year
The Dixon High School Honors Banquet honors individual scholastic achievement. Students receive awards and recognition at a special dinner. Commercial businesses from Dixon sponsor and assist in the award presentations. DHS administrators serve as hosts for the banquet. This is the only DHS awards ceremony dedicated solely to scholastic achievement. Season: April/May
Kiwanis scholarships are awarded annually to Dixon High School seniors who are pursuing a college education. Two $1,000 scholarships are available. Season:May
Sauk Valley Community College organizes this annual event to promote child and family focused organizations in the community. More than 1,000 children and parents normally attend. Our club purchases a booth to promote Kiwanis programs, and Kiwanis volunteers work at the booth. The Sterling Kiwanis Club co-sponsors and participates in this event. Season: April
Kiwanis members volunteer to pick up trash on a 3-mile section of Lowell Park Road. One member serves as chairperson. The cleanup is conducted 2-3 times per year.
All Kiwanis affiliated clubs (Key Club, Builders Club, K-Kids and Aktion Club) get involved in this event. The event typically involves a community service project of some sort. Recent projects involved cleaning and maintenance at the Reagan Home, Open Sesame and Bright Beginnings Day Care. Other projects are under consideration. Season: Fall or other depending on the project
Kiwanis members organize and volunteer to “ring the bell” for The Salvation Army at selected points throughout Dixon. This is normally a Friday and Saturday activity conducted over 3-4 consecutive weeks. All monies collected are designated for The Salvation Army. Season: November/December
At one time, the Kiwanis motto was “We Build.” Over the years, many building projects have been conducted by Kiwanis volunteers. Past construction projects include picnic shelters at Kreider Park and Reynolds Park, a pedestrian bridge at Home of Hope, and the Lowell Park Nature Center. More recently, Kiwanis volunteers have assisted in Habitat for Humanity projects. Season: Summer/Fall
Service Leadership Programs
Local clubs sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Dixon, IL:
K-Kids is a student-run club for fourth- and fifth-grade students. Students voluntarily join the club, elect officers and meet regularly. A teacher or school staff member serves as club advisor with support from Key Club and Kiwanis Club. K-Kids operates in Madison School in Dixon. Season: School year
This is a student-run club for middle school students, and currently operates at Reagan School in Dixon. A teacher or school staff member serves as club advisor with support from Kiwanis Club and Key Club. They meet twice per month. Season: School year
Key Club is the largest high school service organization in the world. Locally, the club is organized by Dixon High School students and meets weekly. Key Club is advised by a DHS teacher or school staff member and at least one Kiwanis Club member. Key Club members often assist in mentoring the K-Kids and Builders Club. Season: All year
This is a club for physically and mentally challenged adults. They meet twice monthly, and current membership is more than 40. The club is sponsored and mentored by Kreider Services and Dixon Kiwanis. The Dixon Aktion Club was the first such club formed in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis. Season: All year
Fundraising Activities
Kiwanis programs and projects are made possible by the fundraising activities of our members. Each fundraiser is typically chaired by one member with the assistance of a committee of members. All Kiwanis members are asked to participate in these activities. Our major fundraising actiivities include:
Kiwanis members sell poinsettias throughout Dixon and surrounding communities. Historically, sales range from 700-900 plants per year. This project involves nearly all Kiwanis members in sales, logistics, delivery and collections. Season: November/December
All Kiwanis members are asked to volunteer for this long-standing community event. Typically, pancakes & sausage are served all morning on a selected Saturday. The Pancake Committee organizes and directs members in all phases of the event. Pancake Day involves volunteers from Key Club, Aktion Club and Golden K Club. Hundreds are served. Season: March/April
This fundraiser involves members in sales of fresh, Illinois-grown peaches. The Peach Committee procures the peaches, directs sales and collections, and organizes volunteers on the selected delivery day. Hundreds of boxes of peaches are sold. Season: July/August
This annual event is one of Kiwanis' original fundraisers. Kiwanis members hand out packages of peanuts to the public in exchange for a monetary contribution. Volunteers are positioned at major retail locations throughout Dixon. The Peanut Committee organizes the event. Season: Spring
The Bowl-a-thon is a Kiwanis Division 13 sponsored fundraiser. Funds collected are targeted for Kiwanis Neuro-Science Research. All Division 13 clubs and Service Leadership Programs are invited to send teams to the event. Our club has hosted this event for many years. Season: February