PLENTY OF PROJECTS

Conducting projects is key to serving the needs of our community and maintaining an active Club membership. Below is a sampling of projects we have completed and projects we are currently working on.

We are grateful for the partnerships our Club has with:  Local Office on Aging, Family Service of Roanoke Valley, Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley, Clean Valley Council, Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, Western Virginia Water Authority, Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission, and West End Center for Youth.

Our projects involve volunteers from the community as well as Club member volunteers. Outreach is built into our projects.

KIWANIS PANCAKE AND AUCTION DAY (KPAD)

For 25+ years, our Club has conducted an annual event to raise money by selling pancake breakfasts. Each year, thousands of tickets are purchased, thousands of pancakes are served, hundreds of hours of Club member efforts are volunteered, and tens of thousands of dollars are raised for charitable purposes. Watch this short video to see what the event is like. Click here for KPAD information, pancake breakfast ticket purchase, and auction details. 

KIWANIS NATURE PARK

Our current signature project, which is scheduled for completion in 2027, is to develop a nature park on the City property directly adjacent to the Kiwanis Centennial Playground. This effort involves making stormwater improvements along the Horton's Branch stream, developing pathways and an amphitheater, restoring wildlife habitat, and creating an environmental education garden. Engagement of the Melrose community is a key element of this project. Click here for additional information.

READERS TODAY / LEADERS TOMORROW

In 2020 we began partnering with the Roanoke City Public Schools and Public Libraries to distribute books for youngsters and to provide reading buddies. We also recorded videos of Club members reading books. Enjoy watching.

KIWANIS CENTENNIAL PLAYGROUND

In 2020 our Club completed and donated to the City of Roanoke, the results of a multi-year signature project; the building of a $400K playground in a high need neighborhood for underserved children and families.

AMATEUR VIDEOS

Started as a weekly Club spirit-raiser and momentum-maintainer during a 2020 portion of the pandemic. Dozens of amateur videos were filmed, edited, and produced staring Club members. Most are lighthearted. Enjoy watching.

GREENWAY INTERPRETIVE SIGNS

In 2022, the City of Roanoke and Kiwanis partnered on the design, fabrication, and installation of eight more large interpretive Greenway signs; they joined many others that were previously installed. Each of these signs tells an important bit of local history. Previously, in 2009, our signature Club project was the addition of mile marker posts every one-tenth of a mile along major sections of the Roanoke River Greenway and Lick Run Greenway.

BUILDING BRIDGES

As a non-religious civic organization, our Kiwanis Club forms partnerships with other organizations in the Roanoke Valley that are focused on community service. We are partnering with Shiloh Baptist Church and other local churches to organize community events like concerts and social gatherings. We organize an annual National Day of Prayer event.

KEY CLUBS

We support Key Clubs at six area High Schools (Cave Spring, Hidden Valley, Northside, Patrick Henry, William Fleming, Roanoke Catholic). Our support includes providing advisors, financial aid, facilitating meetings, joint service projects, and acting as a guide and resource to help develop young leaders in community service. We help Key Clubs plan events, budget, and connect with the wider Kiwanis network, ensuring the students learn leadership and service skills.