What We Do

Key Club and K-Kids

Our Kiwanis club sponsors a Key Club at Proctor High School in Utica, and a K-Kids Club at Columbus School in Utica. Key Club International, also called Key Club, is an international service organization for high school students. As a student-led organization, Key Club’s goal is to encourage leadership through serving others. K-Kids is the largest service organization for elementary school students. Club members discover their passion to serve, desire to lead, and their ability to engage and collaborate with others to better the school and community.

Promoting Literacy

Our Kiwanis club partners with Columbus School, Midtown Utica Community Center (MUCC) and other community organizations to provide books to children and adults through direct donations and through contributions to the local Little Free Libraries.

Thea Bowman House

Our Kiwanis club supports Thea Bowman House throughout the year with donations that help to enhance their services and the lives of children and families, such as Valentines, school supplies, clothing, toiletries, diapers, books and Christmas gifts. Thea Bowman House serves low-income, at-risk children and families in the Utica community. They provide quality care to some of our community’s most vulnerable children and youth in the hope of breaking the cycle of poverty through a structured program of educational and social enrichment.

Utica Zoo

Our Kiwanis club has supported the Utica Zoo for many years in a number of ways. Kiwanis was a co-sponsor for the giant watering can constructed of galvanised steel for Utica Zoo. It weighs 907.1 kg (2000 lb) and measures 4.7 m (15.5 ft) high with a diameter of 3.65 m (12 ft). Kiwanis has conducted can drive fundraisers for the Zoo, volunteers to help beautify the watering can area at the Zoo, and assists with annual Zoo activities like Spooktacular, a Halloween celebration for kids and families.

Salvation Army

For many years, our Kiwanis club has volunteered to assist with the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign. We’ve recently assisted the Salvation Army in Utica with other needs, such as Christmas gifts and Valentine’s for the children in their programs.

Feed Our Vets

At least once a year, our Kiwanis club conducts a food drive for Feed Our Vets, a veteran service organization in Utica. Since February 2009, Feed Our Vets has provided free food assistance to more than 43,513 Veterans and their family members, distributing 3,217,927 lbs. of food.

Annual Sports Awards

Kiwanis Club of Utica sponsors the annual Sports Awards presentation to outstanding student athletes from Utica University, Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Hamilton College, Herkimer County Community College, and Morrisville College. Students are recognized for their excellence on and off the field.

Boilermaker Water Station

Our Kiwanis club has staffed a water station for the Boilermaker 15K Road Race for a number of years. We love to cheer on the runners from Utica and beyond.

Annual Kids Christmas Party

For most of our 100 year history, our Kiwanis club has sponsored an annual Christmas party for underserved children in Utica. In the early years, children received a pair of new shoes. In recent years, children receive board games, hats and mittens, with a party full of fun holiday activities – cookie decorating, holiday crafts, holiday selfies, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Are you ready to join us? Contact us or apply for Kiwanis club membership here