The ranks of local Kiwanis are set to swell in September.

A third branch of the service organization - the Aktion Club - will join the Golden K Kiwanis Club and Noon Kiwanis Club.

The Aktion Club is geared toward people with disabilities.

"Club members do what other Kiwanis Club members do, but in a little different way," said Floyd Hutzell, administrator for the Nebraska-Iowa Aktion Club District.

Kiwanis Clubs are dedicated to six objects, including:

To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life.

To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.

To promote the adoption and application of higher social, business and professional standards.

To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.

To provide a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render unselfish service, and to build better communities.

To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism, which makes possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and goodwill.

Kiwanis service projects often involve raising money for organizations that combat homelessness, hunger and other social ills.

The first Aktion club in north central Iowa was established in 2002 in Algona, said Hutzell.

This year, the club's 45 members raised more than $3,600 for different service projects, he said.

Hutzell said that the Fort Dodge club will likely be even larger.

LifeWorks Community Services, which provides vocational and residential services to people with disabilities, has worked to promote the club, said Executive Director Teresa Naughton.

That includes holding informational meetings, one of which is scheduled for today at 3:45 p.m.

"Club members will serve as president and vice president," said Naughton.

Though the club will select its own leaders, they will receive guidance through their initial setting-up period.

Gary Bird of the Golden K Kiwanis and Kerrie Kuiper of the Noon Kiwanis will serve as mentors for the Aktion Club.

"We will attend meetings and give guidance as to how to develop the club," Kuiper said.

Though the Noon and Golden K Kiwanis develop their own service projects, there is a great deal of cooperation between the two clubs, she said.

Kuiper said she envisions a similar relationship between those groups and the Aktion Club.

Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net