Dear Editor,
2025 will mark the 35th year of the Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K’s commitment to serving the children and youth of Sarnia and Lambton County. We are proud of our long record of volunteer support in many local schools and also our many efforts that benefit the larger community.
Our Terrific Kids program and Builders’ Clubs are active in a number of elementary schools to encourage good character development and develop leadership skills which promote school and community service. Kiwanis Golden K sponsors these two programs at Queen Elizabeth II (QEII), High Park, London Road, Rosedale, PE McGibbon, Cathcart and Bridgeview schools in Sarnia and Point Edward. In a number of these schools we also volunteer and support students with literacy and math tutoring and help with preparing healthy snacks and serving students who rely on their school’s breakfast and Student Nutrition programs.
At QEII School for example, principal Cam Gordon and Grade 7/8 Teacher Joel Ainsworth recently shared with our club members their appreciation for our volunteers’ time and commitment as well as our financial support. The importance of children connecting with caring adults was emphasized, with Cam and Joel noting the positive difference it makes in the lives of the students and acknowledging that our volunteer efforts were “acts of love.” They also enthused about the school’s “mini-forest” which was planted by the members of the Builders’ Club. Similar “mini forests” have also been planted at other local schools, instilling in the students a sense of pride and a deeper appreciation of the importance of Nature.
At Great Lakes Secondary School we sponsor the school’s Kiwanis Key Club whose students develop leadership skills while organizing fund raising and other volunteer activities that benefit the community. And yes, the members have also planted a “mini-forest” at their school.
Beyond our local schools, Kiwanis Golden K supports a wide range of programs and organizations. Our sponsorship of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides free books to 175 children from birth to age 5, promoting early childhood literacy. Our “K-Krew” includes a number of members with handyman skills who reach out to the community to help mostly seniors with home repair needs in exchange for a donation to the club. Several members also participate in the Science Education Partnership, reaching over 20,000 students across Lambton-Kent with hands-on science, engineering, and technology activities. Our Kiwanis AKTION Club at Community Living for adults with disabilities is also an integral part of our community service.
Kiwanis Golden K volunteers dedicate over 2,500 hours per year to supporting these programs and services, while also participating in additional community initiatives. These include Lambton Public Health’s community movie nights, the Red Cross Meals on Wheels program, and the Inn of the Good Shepherd’s mobile market program. We also fundraise through c-Gaming, the sale of Claxton Christmas Cakes, and recycling programs, all of which help fund our wide range of activities and our financial support to local charities.
In recent years we have also provided hands-on help to the Kinsmen Club to assist with the Santa Claus parade float construction and with Ribfest set-up and take down. Each Fall members also volunteer at Clean Harbors’ hazardous waste collection days.
As we celebrate 35 years of service, we are thankful for the ongoing support of our volunteers and donors, whose efforts continue to make a real difference in the lives of local children and families in our community.
For more information about how you can get involved, or to make a donation, please visit www.sarniakiwanis.com. We are always pleased to welcome guests to our club meetings on Tuesday mornings at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre at 180 College N. which feature speakers on diverse topics of current interest. “Come for a visit – stay a while!”
Sincerely,
Sheila Donald
President, Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K