What we do
Kiwanis Club of Rockford actively participates in various fundraising and service projects. Here are some prominent initiatives:
- Rock House Kids - prepare and serve a hot meal once a month, volunteer at their programs throughout the year and wrap presents at Christmas time.
- Trinity Day Care - our members, "Book Buddies", read a book to young children on a weekly basis.
- Fundraisers - range from selling kettle korn to mums and other items when opportunities come up. Our biggest fundraiser of the year is the Budding Artists Gala (May 9, 2025)
- Grants - through our Endowment Fund and Service Projects we distribute grants to organizations that support children in the Rockford region.
Trinity Day CareBook Buddies
Trinity Day Care provides a nurturing environment where children thrive! They are a not for profit organization, licensed through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and recognized by the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) National Learning Network. Their programs and facilities offer a developmentally appropriate, stimulating and active learning environment for young children, awarded a Silver Circle of Quality by QRIS.
- Book Buddies - Kiwanis Club of Rockford members take turns to read one hour a week to preschool children at Trinity Day Care in downtown Rockford, providing them with an inspiring time of learning and encouraging them to read. We're building bonds with little ones for the future.
Fundraisers with Kettle Korn and Mums
Kettle Korn: raising money for our Project Grants, popping kettle korn at the spring and fall The Pec Thing at Winnebago County Fairgrounds is a lot of fun. Our members and youth from our local Key Clubs help pop and sell the sweet and savory snack. We also sell Kettle Korn at other area events. Let us know if you would like Kettle Korn at your event. Contact club President: Lori Berkes-Nelson, loriberkes-nelson@rockfordparkdistrict.org
Mums: Every August we sell beautiful and colorful mums to raise money for our Project Grants fund. These mums are larger than what you can buy at a local store and they support kids in the community!
GrantsEndowment and Project
Endowment:
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Projects:
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Service LeadershipProviding youth and adults with opportunities to develop service and leadership skills
Kiwanis, through its Service Leadership programs, provides young people opportunities to develop self-esteem, learn leadership skills, and learn how to work with others to serve their school and community.
The Kiwanis family of Service Leadership clubs consists of four clubs for students ages 6 to 21, and Aktion Clubs for adults with disabilities. The Kiwanis Club of Rockford is extremely proud of the five clubs that it sponsors, the service that each of them provides, and the leadership skills that the club members learn. It is our club’s hope that the fun that they have planning and implementing service projects will instill in them a lifelong desire to serve.
K-Kids provides the opportunity for primary school students to experience the satisfaction of doing things to improve the world around them.
Builders Club is for middle school and junior high school students. The clubs provide opportunities for students to work together to provide service to their school and their community. We sponsor Rockford Lutheran and Thurgood Marshall Middle School
Builders Clubs.
Builders Clubs.
Key Club is a service organization for high school students and teaches leadership through service to others. The clubs provide ways for students to share their talents in a positive, constructive way to improve their schools and communities. We sponsor Auburn Key Club, Boylan Key Club, and Rockford Lutheran Key Club.
Circle K is for college and university students. It is an organization through which students can form friendships while working on a common cause with other students while at the same time honing leadership skills.
Aktion Club is for adults living with disabilities. It helps people of all ages to accept their ability to make a difference, to enhance their knowledge of their own passions and convictions and develop empathy with those in need in their communities.
