The Kiwanis Club, named for an Indian word that means "to give of oneself," was founded in Detroit, Michigan on January 21, 1915. The following year, it became an international organization. In the early years, the primary goal of Kiwanis was to focus on business networking. But even back then, members were serving the needs of the poor. By 1919, the organization had changed its focus from busines
s to service. Its limited membership in the United States and Canada gained global expansion in 1962. For a long time, Kiwanis was a male-only organization, but after years of debate and growing support, women's membership was overwhelmingly received. The Kiwanis Legacy has resulted in the formation of 8,000 clubs in 96 countries. With over 260,000 members, Kiwanis are able to sponsor 150,000 service projects each year. The organization as a whole raises over $107 million annually. The mission of Kiwanis has become a dedication to change the world, one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Plymouth was chartered on June 10, 1940. It currently has over 30 members. Anyone interested in joining can stop by one of our weekly meetings. (We meet Mondays at 6:15 p.m. at Alden Park Bar & Grill in Plymouth.) You can also apply online at kiwanis.org
