The Kiwanis International Club turned 105 on Jan. 21 of this year.

The Kiwanis’ service focus is children, said Fort Dodge Kiwanis president Jason Fitzgerald, who took office last fall.

“We’re very passionate about the youth in our community,” he said. “There’s nothing more important than our children — they’re our future. We invest a lot of time and a lot of resources toward helping children in need and trying to make sure that they’re successful in whatever it is they want to do.”

The club provides college scholarships to high school seniors, and it also sponsors the Dodger Academy after school program, where it recently hosted a flashlight reading night.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Dan Harris holds the flashlight for his daughter, Leah Harris, 7, as she reads a book by flashlight in the gym at Butler Elementary School during Dodger Academy’s annual Flashlight Reading Night. Cory Harris, 11 months, enjoys the event from his car seat. The Kiwanis Club donates books for the event that the children get to keep after they read them.

“We’re very involved in all aspects of the school system,” Fitzgerald said. “We sponsor many different scholarships at both high schools.”

The club also supports Patterson Field and hosts a “sand pile day” in the summer where they go around town to refill children’s sandboxes.

For the Fort Dodge Kiwanis’ 100th anniversary in May, Fitzgerald said there aren’t any specific plans made yet, but the club is looking into helping sponsor and fund a new park in the northeast area of town that other groups are trying to organize.

“We’re looking to do something that will be long term or have a residual, lasting effect in the community that will not only help current generations of children, but hopefully generations in the future as well,” he said.

Right now, the club has about 20 to 30 active members, Fitzgerald said.

“As with most service organizations, we’re kind of seeing a little bit of a decline in membership,” he said. “We’re always looking for new members.”

The Fort Dodge Kiwanis meet at noon every Tuesday at Pizza Ranch.

The club will host a game show for K-Kids on March 27 called “Are You Smarter Than a K-Kid?” The following day, March 28, will be the Kiwanis’ annual Pancake Day fundraiser.

“That’s our huge, big fundraiser during the year,” Fitzgerald said. “It allows us to donate to these scholarships and various other children’s activities in the community throughout the year.”