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
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, PFDs for Lone Pine Camp, and other programs (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 (see photo below)
  • 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 entry
  • Grand Haven Chamber Jingle Bell Parade float entry
  • Grand Haven Schools Foundation Art In The Yard
  • American Legion Boys State
  • Eagle Scout Project Benches
  • Camp Extraordinaire
  • 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.
Kiwanians participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore “Bowl for Kids Sake” event in 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.
Kiwanians participate in the Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity 30 Year Anniversary dinner on April 14, 2019.
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