What We Do

Over the past twenty years, Tri-Cities Kiwanis has been involved in a long list of projects and has supported many organizations in our community. [See the list]

If your organization is interested in receiving funds or other support from Tri-Cities Kiwanis, please click here. Are you in to volunteering for good causes in your community? Join us at a meeting or event to see what we’re all about. [Learn more about membership]

The following includes past and present programs and activities.

Literacy:

Dictionary donations for third graders
Books for third grade accelerated reading programs and curriculum needs in 2015 (see photo below)
S.C.O.R.E. reading mentoring program at Lakeshore Middle School
Financial support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
School Zone book distribution at community events
Sandy Huber Reading Improvement Fund — Distributes funds to area schools to support reading programs and curriculum, donated $11,000 in 2023.

Students holding books — Third graders pose with books provided by Tri-Cities Kiwanis as part of a summer reading program in 2015.

Food Banks, School Supplies and other drives:

The People Center
Love In Action
The Salvation Army
Backpack Blessings (Love In Action)
Backpacks for school supplies, Salvation Army
Student Pantry at Central High School (see photo below)
Positive Options (formerly Lakeshore Pregnancy Center, see photo below)
Holiday meals and gifts for needy families

Baby beach kits provided to the Lakeshore Pregnancy Center, now known as Positive Options.

Club members with food pantry donation — Club members pose with a portion of the 2017 Central High School food pantry donation.

Swimming Programs:

YMCA “Splash” Learn to Swim (see photo below)
Swim day at the YMCA for the Center for Women In Transition (now Resiliance)
Aquatic Fun Day for GHAPS POPS/Links students at the Spring Lake Aquatic Center (photo below)

A “splash day” for POPS students to play together at the Spring Lake Aquatic Center.

Kiwanians Earl O’Brien and Melissa Heyer pose with Tri-Cities Family YMCA “Learn To Swim” students in 2015.

Healthcare:

Free Dental Day
Kiwanis International Eliminate Project, eliminating neonatal tetnus globally; TCK participated in a district-wide shoe collection fundraiser to support this international effort
Salmon Tournaments: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, DeVos Children’s Hospital
(Now run by the Kiwanis of Michigan Foundation as the Earl O’Brien Memorial Fishing Derby)
Golf and Fish Tourneys: NOCHS Pulse Campaign for the new emergency department
NOCHS pediatric glidescope (photo below)

Kiwanians pose in the North Ottawa Community Hospital emergency department with the sponsored pediatric glidescope in January 2020.

Community Events:

Tri-Cities Kiwanis Classic Car Show
Tri-Cities Kiwanis Fall Fest 5k-10k
Kiwanis Youth Music Competition
Circus: Kelly Miller and Merriweather & Culpepper
Grand Haven Winterfest Kids Day
Loutit Library Pirate Festival
Drive-In Concert at Rycenga Building Center
Santa House

Participation with Other Organizations:

Sponsoring pizza parties for GHAPS POPS/Links
Salvation Army Belling Ringing at Fortino’s (see photo below)
Lakeshore Middle School Science Olympiad
Culver’s Cares Day and Trunk or Treat
Grand Haven Indoor Trick or Treat at Central Park Place
Adopt-A-Highway on Beacon Blvd (see photo below)
Fraternal Order of Eagles Grand Haven #925 Fish Fry Dinners
Bowl for Kids’ Sake, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore
Swing sets for Habitat for Humanity families built by Covenant Life Church crew (see photo below)
Table sponsor for various galas and fundraisers (see photos below):
• Resilience (formerly Center for Women in Transition)
• Gracious Grounds
• Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
WGHN Patio Party
Coast Guard Festival Grand Parade Street Squad, and float entries
Grand Haven Chamber Jingle Bell Parade float entries
Grand Haven Schools Foundation Art In The Yard
American Legion Boys State
Eagle Scout Project Benches
Camp Extraordinaire
PFDs for Lone Pine Camp
Tri-Cities Family YMCA
The Momentum Center For Social Engagement
No More Sidelines
Wetland Watch LEEP after school educational program
Lori’s Voice Walk for the Challenged
Sportsmen for Youth
NORA
Crop Walk
Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration
Casa de Esperanza

Tri-Cities Kiwanis presents a check for $5,000 to the Grand Haven Salvation Army, to be used for the 2011 holidays.

Tri-Cities Kiwanis has adopted a stretch of US-31 through Grand Haven and completes clean-ups two or three times each year. Pictured, Kiwanians and Aktion Club members gather to head out for the clean-up on April 19, 2019.

Tri-Cities Kiwanis has provided several backyard swing sets for families with young children who have gotten their home through the Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity. In this photo, a Covenant Life Church crew assembles the swing in July 2018.

Kiwanians represent at the “Making a Difference” luncheon for Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence (formerly Center for Women in Transition) on December 4, 2019.

Kiwanis at Gracious Grounds gala — Kiwanians participate in the 2019 gala for Gracious Grounds, providing independent and supported living for adults with special abilities.

# Kids Need Kiwanis