K-Kids Club Gets Students Hooked On Service
Students wrote holiday cards to the homeless people who would be receiving their care packages. The K-Kids motto in front of this student says it all.
At Horace Mann Elementary School, about 75 students are learning early on about the rewards and benefits of community service. As part of the K-Kids club, sponsored by the Lakewood Kiwanis, these students have been busy making a difference for those in our community who are less fortunate.
Already this school year, the club – which is supervised by Parent Resource Coordinator Chris Bringman and a number of parent volunteers and Kiwanis representatives – has collected underwear and put together care packages of toiletries for the homeless. At a recent monthly meeting, students were making cards with a holiday message to include in the 65 care packages assembled for the homeless served by the Metanoia Project. When asked why they liked to be in the K-Kids club, several members enthusiastically responded, “It’s fun!” Another chimed in, “I like helping others.”
That’s exactly the message the Kiwanis wishes to convey to our youngest students who will hopefully continue giving back as they move on to middle school and high school. At the middle school, there is a Kiwanis Builders club and Key Club is the Kiwanis service arm at the high school. Harrison Elementary also has a K-Kids club.
Bringman credits the success of the Horace Mann K-Kids to the great support from the school’s parents and the club’s community partner, the Lakewood Kiwanis.