Lafayette Kiwanis Club History
Founding Information
The Lafayette Kiwanis Club was founded December 15, 1916 and was the 20th Club in the US and 2nd in Indiana. The first two members of the club were Dr. Albert Ross and William Sattler and there were 50 members initially. Membership was for businessmen only until 1918 when educators (Purdue) were allowed. The motto from 1915 -1920 was "We Trade", 1920-2000 was "We Build" with the promise of the best is yet to come. Our motto is currently "Serving the Children of the World".
The Kiwanis Objects were adopted in 1924.
- 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 the application of higher social, business and professional standards.
- To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.
- To provide, through Kiwanis Clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service and to build better communities.
- To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism and goodwill.
Women were allowed membership in July 1987. We chartered our Sister Club, Tokyo Kiwanis Club in 2016. We celebrated our 100th anniversary in 2016 and recognized the 100th anniversary of sponsoring the Purdue Football Appreciation Banquet. Our achievements have been in service, education, fellowship and fun.
Evolution of the Club
Membership began with 50 members in 1916, grew to over 100 and is currently 73 members. Focus over time has been to support children and youth. The Lafayette Kiwanis Foundation Inc. was established September 28, 1972. Taka Ogata served as Governor of Indiana District of Kiwanis 2021-22
Notable Members
We have had Earl Butz, former Secretary of Agriculture, several Academic Leaders and Faculty at Purdue and leaders in the community as Lafayette Kiwanis Club members.
Awards and Recognitions
We have members that have been awarded George F. Hixson Fellowships, one of the highest Kiwanis Children's Fund awards; Tablet of Honor Awards, the highest level of recognition for the Kiwanis Children's Fund; McColloch Gold Award; the Indiana District's most prestigious award; the Eagle Award, the Kiwanis Children's Fund award for recognition of those who have gone "Above and Beyond" in service; the Leadership Society to recognize accomplishments and service of family friends and fellow Kiwanians; the Centennial Award, highest level of recognition for the Kiwanis Children's Fund- Eliminate Project and Walter Zeller Fellowships, awarded by the Kiwanis Children's Fund- Eliminate Project.
Current Mission and Goals
The mission of Kiwanis began with a business focus, evolved to building, and is now "Serving the Children of the World" . Our goal is dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
Community Impact
Key service projects, partnerships, and their impact in the community include:
- Purdue Football Appreciation Banquet- began 1921, developed close relationships with the Purdue community.
- Christmas Auction and Bell Ringing- began 1921, to benefit the needy through the Salvation Army.
- Diaper-A-Kid Day - began 1988, supply diapers and wipes to the YWCA for the Women's Shelter.
- Comfort Doll Project began 1988, supply comfort dolls to children in hospitals and medical care facilities experiencing trauma and stress.
- Riley Hospital for Children - beginning 1926 support the hospital and its programs, impacting the patients and their families.
- Pancake Breakfasts - began 1969, as a fundraiser for Youth Services programs and also is an event that the club members share the Kiwanis story.
- EdZooCation Station - Columbian Park 2016 (100th Anniversary Project Lafayette Kiwanis Club) for the children of the community
- Cumberland Park Playground - West Lafayette 2016 (100th Anniversary Project Lafayette Kiwanis Club) for the children of the community
- Kiwanis Korner - Lafayette YMCA 2019 for children to meet and study while waiting at the YMCA
- Harmony Park - Armstrong Park 2020 interactive play instruments for children to play and develop and interest in music.
- Imagination Library - 2021 support for the Dolly Parton Project to provide library books for children 1-5
- Maker's Space - 2022 support for book storage racks at Wea School used in classrooms
- Morris School Park - in progress. Will support the development of the school room at the park as a learning space for children
- Lafayette Kiwanis Club Community Scholarship for a student to support further education
- Indiana Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship for a student to support further education
- Postlethwait Scholarship for a student to support further education
- Howenstein Music Scholarship for a high school senior from West Lafayette High School for achievements in music
- National Football Foundation - Ted Luce Scholarships for a male and female student to pursue further education
Lafayette Kiwanis Club 2018
