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For kids in elementary school, Kiwanis offers the K-Kids Service Leadership Program.
This program teaches kids the benefits of helping the local community and being a leader.
Julie McGinnis, one of the leaders for the K-Kids Club at McDowell Mountain Elementary School, shared the true purpose of this organization.
“We are a service club, and our main goal is improving things around the community,” McGinnis said. “The club discusses and initiates various activities we do around the community. They make baskets for the dog shelters, they make animals’ toys, and we have other community events that kids help on.”
She said the club wants to represent and help the Fountain Hills community in the best way possible. Club members learn to step up and lead other kids to help their town. They also are improving their own personal skills to help themselves in the future.
“We try to teach them leadership,” McGinnis said. “They run for office positions. That’s what they’re doing today. We also try to improve their communication skills and giving back to the community.”
The first and third Wednesdays of each month are typically when the clubs meets. The meetings last just an hour after school. The kids enjoy the sense of camaraderie they receive while participating in Kiwanis K-Kids, McGinnis added.
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