::Origin of Kiwanis International::
Founded in 1915 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service- and community-minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 500,000 Kiwanis-family members in more than 80 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is "Serving the Children of the World."
::Origin of the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee::
The Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Indiantown and was chartered in 1971. Since many of the charter members were dairy farmers and ranchers, the club was originally a breakfast club so everyone could get to work and not break up their day's work. In the 80's as the club grew, the meeting was changed to a lunch meeting.
The Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee has always had a focus on serving the children and youth of Okeechobee and supports many projects to accomplish this. The Club was one of the first to offer a college scholarship at the OHS Scholarship Night, was a founding sponsor of the Grad Night Party and continues to help support it financially, and is the co-sponsor of the RIF (Reading is Fundamental) program for the Okeechobee elementary schools. In addition, the club sponsors Builder's Clubs at the middle schools and a Key Club at OHS, has a Terrific Kids awards program in the elementary schools, and sponsors "Math Mini-Grants" thru the Okeechobee Educational Foundation. Events put on by our club include the Farm-City Week BBQ, G4S (previously Eckerd Youth Development Center) Christmas party, Santa-in-the-Park, Souper Bowl of Caring, National Day of Prayer, Baby Shower for the Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee, and a school supply drive for Real Life Children's Ranch. To fund these projects the Club holds an annual Radio Auction and Easter Pancake Breakfast.
::What is a Kiwanian?::
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.
::Kiwanis Name::
* The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” It was coined from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis.
* Kiwanians are volunteers changing the world through service to children and communities. Kiwanis members help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged, and care for the sick. They develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds, raise funds for pediatric research, and much more. No problem is too big or too small. Why? Because working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream, and succeed, great things happen!
* As Kiwanis clubs and members, we see it everyday!
::Membership::
* About 8,000 clubs in 96 countries.
* More than 260,000 adult members.
* Approximately 320,000 youth.
::Mission::
To serve the children of the world!
::Service::
Each year, clubs: Sponsor nearly 150,000 service projects. Raise more than $107 million. Global Results Members and clubs have contributed more than $80 million toward the global elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the leading preventable cause of mental retardation.