About our Kiwanis club

Kiwanis has a long history of service in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, Michigan.

The Kiwanis Club of Grand Haven was originally chartered on March 13, 1941; sponsored by the Grand Rapids, Holland and Muskegon clubs. The first president was Arthur F. Gieseking, and the first secretary was Harvey L. Scholten. The club had 38 charter members [click to see list], had grown to 69 members by 1955, and peaked at 120 members.

This booklet [click to view] was originally published in February, 1991 to celebrate the club’s 50-year anniversary, documenting the many service projects carried out by the club in its first 50 years. [Click to view membership directory from 2002].

After more than 60 years of service, the Kiwanis Club of Grand Haven dissolved on January 28, 2003. Prior to dissolving, the club donated their funds to Children’s Services at the Loutit District Library and the Tri-Cities Historical Museum’s Ackley Project. [View club bulletin here] [Read the Tribune article here]

Jim Gurd (right), Treasurer of Kiwanis of Grand Haven, presents checks to Dennis Swartout (left), Executive Director of the Tri-Cities Museum, and Sandie Knes, Director of Loutit District Library.

Nearly two years later in late 2004, the Tri-Cities Kiwanis Club was chartered under the inspirational leadership of several local citizens. [View first meeting minutes here]

Over the years, Tri-Cities Kiwanis has been recognized at the Michigan District level for rapid growth and innovative projects that assist special needs children and young victims of disease and disability. [Read more]

Tri-Cities Kiwanis presenting a big check to HDVCH
Tri-Cities Kiwanis presents Tamara Elhart of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation with a check for $18,000, from the proceeds of the 2019 Salmon Tournaments.

The Kiwanis Mission & Vision

For more than a century, Kiwanis International has empowered its members to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.

Service is at the heart of every Kiwanis club, no matter where in the world it’s located. Globally members stage approximately 150,000 service projects and raise nearly $100 million every year for communities, families and projects. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone.

Besides annual projects such as the Salmon Tournament and Santa Depot, Tri-Cities Kiwanis has several other projects and organizations that we partner with. [Learn more]

Join Us

Are you in to volunteering for good causes in your community? Do you like helping kids, having fun and feeling like you made a difference? Join us at a meeting or event to see what we’re all about.

Tri-Cities Kiwanis membership is open to all adults in the Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg area. Membership dues are $125 per year. Members may also choose to purchase lunch at our meetings, usually $5 per week.

Contact us with your questions, or download the membership application here.

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