Klager K Kids Organization Inducts 30 Members

Miranda Austin, K Kids secretary leads the inductees in the K Kids Pledge.

Kiwanis, a Manchester organization familiar to many, recently celebrated 25 years of service to our community. Some of their more well known projects include the canoe race, Crazy Cash, cider sales as well as financial donations toward many local projects, but what they are most proud of is their sponsorship of Manchester youth service organizations the Key Club at the High School, the Builders Club at the Middle School and joining them, the brand new K Kids Organization at Klager Elementary.

Klager K Kids held a ceremony Tuesday night which packed the elementary school cafeteria with families and community members who had come to watch 30 Manchester 4th graders be inducted into the organization as well as the organization itself officially receiving it’s charter from Kiwanis International. Kiwanis representative, Cindy Kenney stated how overwhelmed she and faculty advisor Sarah McCaffrey as well as Key Club youth advisors Mitchell Ernst and Logan Huff, have been by the student interest in joining the group. She and fellow organizers initially hoped for 10 students and anticipated in having to open the club up to 3rd graders to reach their goal. But not only did number of students greatly exceed that, but new students have joined at every meeting. At this point more that 1/3 of Klager’s 4th graders are members of K Kids.

Kenney explained “K Kids is a student lead organization that allows kids to plan activities, participate in community service projects and develop empathy for others. Through service they begin to understand the impact they can have on their school and their community. K Kids is the youngest organization in the Kiwanis family with over 36,000 members around the world. Our goal is to teach kids how to be leaders through community service.”

Since their first meeting in November of 2015 K Kids has completed the following service projects:

1. Made Thanksgiving Teacher appreciation treat bags for Klager faculty and staff
2. Made Christmas cards for veterans at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor
3. Designed thank you cards for Kiwanis International President Sue Petrisin to use during her term as President (she sends these out to people all around the world)
4. Made fleece tie pet blankets to donate to local animal shelters in Adrian and Ann Arbor
5. Designed centerpieces for the Charter ceremony
6. Making Jared Boxes to donate to hospitalized children at Mott Children’s Hospital
7. Selling smencils to the Klager student body – currently raised over $700 in support of Kids Against Hunger – food packaging which will take place in June (click HERE to read more about Kids Against Hunger)

Kenney stated, “Not too bad for 3 1/2 months!”

Key Club Youth Advisor Logan Huff presents K Kids president Danielle Blumenstein with the Klager K Kids charter. Photo courtesy of Kim Blumenstein.

photo courtesy of Kim Blumenstein

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.