Each year, Kiwanis clubs around the world join in a day of service. Kiwanis One Day is a great opportunity to bring together the Kiwanis family of clubs to focus on local community service. It’s an example of our belief that kids need Kiwanis. Kids need Kiwanis to provide programs and services no longer available because of school and municipal budget constraints, and kids who want to be in youth clubs need Kiwanis club members as mentors to help them thrive, prosper and grow.

Winter Warmth supplies coats to needy school children. Started years ago by the Junior League, Last year, the club supplied 200+ coats to children from grades kindergarten to 5th in Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, St. George, and Pembroke schools. The club was fortunate to meet every request. The requests are coordinated by social workers at the schools. Donations for coats, hats and gloves are raised by Kiwanis membership, in addition to donations from partnership with our area's Rotary Club, and other local organizations.

The shoe project had started with another volunteer group. The Telephone Pioneers hosted the original program, which was entitled: “All God’s Children Must Have Shoes.” The program has been held for 50 years, starting at Ted’s Shoes in downtown Kankakee and then at Sears, before moving to Kohl’s and at Shoe Carnival, Bourbonnais. The Community Foundation partners with Kiwanis to financially support the program. 245+ children last year received new shoes through this project. The youth not only gets a pair of shoes, he or she also receives socks. Socks were also donated by Bombas, which donates socks for each pair sold. Kiwanis wrote a grant to Bombas. Socks have also been donated by the Women of the Moose and Rotary Club of Bradley-Bourbonnais.

Our club supports many community projects through a grant program. A grant committee reviews requests regularly. If you, or someone you know who would be eligible, would like to apply for a grant from Kiwanis, applications can be downloaded from our website.

Our club is involved in a variety of projects that involve fundraising, community service, and assisting children locally and worldwide. Contact us for more information.

Kiwanis Club of Kankakee
PO Box 994
Kankakee, Illinois 60901

High School Leadership Trophy Awards presented annually since 1925, originally given to students of Kankakee High School, this prestigious award was later expanded to include all area high schools. This award is given to outstanding students of the graduating class based on leadership, scholarship, and representation of the school.

This award is given to an outstanding student of the 8th grade graduating class of area schools based on leadership, scholarship, and representation of the school.

High School Scholarships are based on academic achievement, community service and need. Preference is given to students pursuing careers that will help children. The mission of Kiwanis is to serve the Children of the World. Preference is also given to students planning to study at either Olivet Nazarene University or Kankakee Community College.

Kiwanis presents the annual Arion/Sousa Award, given to the high school student with outstanding musical ability; this award began in the 1970's. Applications can be downloaded on our website.