[img align=right]/modules/xdirectory/images/ad_images/kiwanis_club_kid.jpg[/img]Founded in 1915 in Detroit and with headquarters now in Indianapolis, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service- and community-minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 600,000 Kiwanis-family members in 92 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." Guided by six permanent [url=http://www.kiwanis.org/about/objects.asp][u]Objects[/u][/url], Kiwanis clubs view their role within their respective communities with a great deal of foresight. Key aspects to operating an effective club include: [spacer]•[spacer]Evaluating both children’s issues and community needs on an ongoing basis [spacer]•[spacer]Conducting service projects to respond to those identified needs [spacer]•[spacer]Maintaining an active membership roster of professional business people who have both the desire and the ability to serve their community Club meetings traditionally are conducted once a week and offer an atmosphere of fun, learning, and fellowship. In addition to attending the meetings, the typical Kiwanian volunteers each month to assist with club service projects. Service projects often are linked to the Kiwanis program, “Young Children: Priority One.” This initiative places continuing focus on the needs of children in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills. Service projects also can address other needs within the community, such as working to stop substance abuse, helping the elderly, promoting literacy, supporting youth sports and recreation, responding to disasters, and supporting specific persons in need. Kiwanis also plays a special role in developing future generations of leaders. K-Kids clubs at the elementary school level, Builders Clubs in middle school and junior highs, Key Clubs in high schools, and Circle K clubs at the collegiate level all are Kiwanis organizations that teach community service and leadership skills to young people. In addition, Aktion Clubs are made up of adults with mental and physical disabilities who enthusiastically perform service to help others. Worldwide, the entire Kiwanis family is committed to eliminating the devastating effects of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the world’s leading preventable cause of mental retardation. More than 1.5 billion people are at risk of suffering IDD because they do not receive enough iodine in their diet. But, because of Kiwanis’ efforts, many parents who have been affected by IDD are able to watch their children grow up healthy and reach their full physical and mental potential. The results of the IDD program will benefit every future generation. A typical Kiwanis club is a snapshot of its community, with members from all walks of life and at every step of the career ladder. They are unified in their belief that children and their communities benefit from the efforts of a proficient group of caring and involved volunteers. In a typical year, Kiwanis clubs invest more than 6.2 million hours and US$100 million in communities around the world. Through these efforts, the Kiwanis organization truly leaves a lasting impression on future generations. [b]Kiwanis International is one of the largest community-service organizations dedicated primarily to helping the children of the world. [/b] [b]Kiwanis International serves children and communities worldwide with nearly 600,000 adult and youth members in more than 80 nations. [/b] Kiwanis International builds bridges of better understanding through service to children and communities worldwide. As one of the world’s leading community-service organizations, Kiwanis’ strength is that it is both international and local. Collectively, clubs have responded to global problems while continuing to address local needs. Kiwanians are ordinary people who perform extraordinary “hands-on” work. Our 290,000 adult members annually invest more than seven million hours and $100 million in projects that strengthen our communities and serve children. [b]Wherever there’s a need, Kiwanians will be there – as they have for 88 years, making a difference for children and for their communities. [/b] Kiwanians unite in service worldwide for children and their communities. Every day, Kiwanians are revitalizing neighborhoods, organizing youth-sports programs, planting trees, erecting playgrounds, and performing countless other projects to help the young, aging, and needy. Kiwanis International plays a special role in leadership development. Kiwanis-sponsored organizations teach community service and leadership skills to elementary through college-age students. Through these organizations, Kiwanis is passing the ideals of service to future generations. Kiwanis International is a key partner in the fight to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders, the world’s leading preventable cause of mental retardation. To date, Kiwanis has raised US $73 million in cash contributions toward its US $75 million goal. We are protecting 90 million children in 98 countries from being born with iodine deficiency disorders or mental retardation. For Kiwanians, commitment and compassion go hand in hand. The needs of the world are great, but together, Kiwanians in 8,600 clubs and more than 80 countries worldwide, can and do accomplish a lot for children and communities. The Kiwanians of Folsom work together to achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. Our focus is to make Folsom a better place to live.