On Dec. 6, Gables students had the opportunity to run the Kiwanis organization’s booth at the annual Coral Gables Tree Lighting Ceremony. Here, Key Club members not only grilled and served food to attendees of the ceremony, but also learned about the Kiwanis organization and its contribution to children around the world.
Seen through the organization’s motto “Serving the children of the world” and through their countless benefactions, they help children in countless communities. Through local chapters like the Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation and the Kiwanis of Biscayne Bay, alongside service projects and leadership programs, the foundation has worked to help the children of Miami.
“When I found out about the Kiwanis organization and all it does for kids around the world, I felt motivated to help. I feel really proud that I got to participate in an event that helped kids who are less fortunate, not only in my community but in communities around the world,” junior William Hardie said.
The Kiwanis organization impacts Miami primarily through their events such as the Terrific Kids Recognition Ceremony, where students from different primary and elementary schools can be nominated for showing positive character traits, like kindness, responsibility and integrity. This ceremony is ultimately beneficial to children because it positively uplifts them and incentivizes other students to follow similar rewarding behaviors.
Another program created by the organization are the four boy and girl Scout units sponsored by the Kiwanis of Coral Gables. For over 100 years, kids aged from five to 20 have had the opportunity to learn important life skills, foster enriching social relationships and even attend overnight camping trips. These events and programs have had major positive impacts on the lives of children of Miami and serve as testaments to what the organization stands for.
“We charter several boy scout units, they’re now called Scouting America. We have a Cub Scout program, ages six to 10, as well as a girl program for scouting, ages 11 to 17. We have a boy troop, Troop 7, that is over 100 years old. We also have our Venture Crew, which is more towards high school students. Overall, we have Pack 7, Troop 7, Crew 7 and Troop 719 that teach skills like teamwork and leadership,” Kiwanis Board of Directors member Victoria Brieant said.
On a larger scale, efforts to help children by the Kiwanis organization are seen globally. For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Goma, a chapter of the organization was established at the start of 2024. In a country devastated by violence, children usually bear the brunt of civil disorder; to alleviate suffering, psychological support programs were put in place to help children who had witnessed atrocities.
“The organization has international initiatives, a few years ago there was a seven-year initiative to eliminate neonatal tetanus, which is found mostly in Africa and third world countries. [Alongside UNICEF], the Kiwanis Organization helped administer tetanus vaccines and sanitary birth practices,” Brieant says.
Similarly, in New Delhi, India, the local chapter created the Youth Protection Program, where students received empowering lectures on youth leadership, ultimately pushing kids of the region to create change in their community. In all, over 80 countries are home to a chapter of the Kiwanis organization, making it possible to fulfill their ultimate goal of supporting children all around the world.
On a much smaller scale at Gables, the outreach of the Kiwanis club is also evident. Gables has its own subsection of the Kiwanis organization, Key Club. Key Club has been present at Gables since the 1940s, and throughout the years, has had an extreme impact on members of the Gables community through its students’ involvement. Whether it is food drives, beach cleanups or writing holiday cards, Key Club has made it possible for Gables students to give back to local communities.
“Being a part of Kiwanis through Key Club really gives an idea about how big the organization is. Key Club is already a big club in itself, that makes substantial impacts in our community. So to think about an international organization that makes impacts around the world, it’s honestly unreal,” Key Club president and junior Beatrice Stampino-Strain said.
Ultimately, through small and large scale involvement, the impacts of the Kiwanis organization and local chapters are evident worldwide. Children around the world overcome difficult struggles, achieve academically and aid their communities, making differences in the lives of people they uplift.
