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The Kiwanis Club of Peterborough |
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Serving the Children of the World |
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About Us |
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One word summarizes 85+ years of Kiwanis Club of Peterborough history; SERVICE. SERVICE to the community and its citizens, SERVICE to the world around us and SERVICE to Kiwanis itself. It is with pride the we share a few memories with you. Service to the community began shortly after our formation in November 1921. Peterborough Kiwanians built a Dining Hall for the summer day camp at Jackson Park, which served needy children until 1939. In the decades to follow the Club has been responsible for other park upgrades. A wading pool was built in King Edward Park in 1937. In 1948, Hamilton Park saw the addition of a swimming hole and playground, followed by a bridge over the creek in the 1950’s. Kiwanis converted the Dining Hall in Jackson Park to a Scout Hut in 1957; it was used for that purpose until quite recently. Camp Kawartha benefited from Kiwanis in 1988 and 1995 when we made sure suitable cabin space was available. More recently we have sponsored Kiwanis Park, in the south east end of the city, and the Jackson Creek Kiwanis Trail. Over the years youth has been the focus of the Club. Kiwanis has sponsored different programs, many of which continue today. The Sea Cadet Corp “RCSC Howe” (1942), the Little Olympics (1950’s), a special school for mentally challenged children (1950’s), Special Olympics (1970’s and 1980’s), Drug Awareness programs (1960’s and 1970’s), Junior Citizenship Awards (for 50+ years), Big Brothers and Sisters Association, the Learning Disabilities Association, and breakfast Clubs. Since 1974 our Club has worked closely with the Salvation Army to distribute Christmas hampers and toys to needy families. A real community effort, the Kiwanis Dream Home Lottery raised funds for a Critical Care Unit at the Peterborough Civic Hospital, and committed to another $500,000.00 over 5 years toward the building of the new Peterborough Regional Health Centre, with a lot of help from the Hospital Foundation. In recognition of our efforts the critical care wing was named the ‘Kiwanis Wing”, and once the new hospital is opened there will be a ‘Kiwanis’ unit. One of our proudest events is the Kiwanis Music Festival. For 60+ years Kiwanians have proudly supported the musical aspirations of Peterborough youth. This yearly event could not be the success it is without the efforts of the Kiwanis Club of the Kawarthas and the Kiwanis Club of Scott’s Plains. Service beyond local boundaries includes supporting the Japanese earthquake victims in 1922, Ohio flood victims in 1937, and fellow Canadians in Quebec who suffered floods in 1995. Our Club made a commitment to support Kiwanis International efforts to eradicate Iodine Deficiency Disorders. Service to Kiwanis has included 12 Lt. Governors including current member John Rutkauskas. We were proud to have the late Walter Howell represent us as International Vice President. Our Club has sponsored several other clubs: Lindsay (1922), Cobourg (1943), Port Hope (1952), South Peterborough (1954), North Peterborough (1958), Bowmanville (1960), and Scott’s Plains (1974). In order to fund all of our activities, Kiwanians have had to embark on many enjoyable and sometimes unique fund raising projects. We have raffled cars and houses. Kiwanians have sold anything from apples to maple syrup. Probably the most unique one-time event was a “Rooster” (using politically correct terminology) fight which ended with a visit from the local constabulary. Other activities we have organized include travelogue shows, fishing tournaments, roller skate-a-thons, Miles for Money and for over twenty years now the Kiwanis Rodeo. For 85+ years, thanks to the support of individual member, the City, and it citizens, the Kiwanis Club of Peterborough has served to make things just a little better. Through service, we look forward to continued success in building a better community. |
