Kiwanis serves the community all year long

By Pat Hinkley, Christmas Project chairperson and past president

It’s the middle of January already! Anyone still thinking about Christmas? Yes! The Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft is already starting to prepare for next year.

In 2021 we were able to provide gifts, coats, boots, and even turkey dinners (thanks to the Abner Wade Lodge and 5^th Masonic District of Maine) to 177 children from 80 families. Many organizations, churches, businesses, and friends from as far south as Virginia and as far west as Wisconsin shopped, donated, knitted, and crocheted hats and gloves, built beautiful wooden doll cradles and trucks, sewed quilts, purchased toys, Legos, books, and bicycles. So many people were inspired to volunteer their hands and money to children in our community. We are so grateful to everyone who played a role in bringing big smiles to children’s faces throughout the area and bringing great relief to worried and stressed-out parents during this past holiday season.

A special thanks to those who have been donating monthly over the past three years.

Now what? How do we improve the process, provide for more families, get more people involved in providing a better Christmas for those less fortunate? With more Kiwanis members and volunteers!

Many of you may not know that the Kiwanis does much more in this community than our Christmas Project.  With assistance from SeDoMoCha, the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard and volunteers, we provide food to families in need with children. One instance of support even included volunteers picking potatoes this fall, thanks to Crane Brothers!  We also provide community meals and dinners for seniors. We host a bike safety rodeo with the PRYMCA in May. Every child is provided with a new helmet, instructions in safety, and just plain fun. Last year there were even pony rides!

Did you know that our Kiwanis Club donates hundreds of books to the kids at SeDoMoCha every year? We also support the PRYMCA to provide swimming lessons to kids who attend SeDoMoCha. The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis also sponsors the Foxcroft Academy and Central High School Key Clubs and the SeDoMoCha Builders Club. These clubs are vital in teaching young people to be involved in serving their communities, and children around the world. We have helped dozens of other charities and organizations bring special programs of learning, caring, and fun to families in the area.     

Another hidden gem of our club is the Kiwanis Park. The park is behind the PRYMCA on the banks of Dunham Brook. It is a beautiful gathering area with picnic tables, a walk-in garden, a gazebo, and playground. All is provided for and maintained by our Kiwanis Club. The gazebo is available for a small rental fee for parties, reunions, and gatherings of all kinds. The park itself is free to the public.

Kiwanis Park is one of the most expensive projects we undertake each year. The park is in dire need of updating the storage building, and it is our dream to add some handicapped playground equipment as well. We will need extra support from the community to make this all happen. Some of the ways we raise extra financial support are through raffle ticket sales, a duck race, our annual auction, and other events. When you buy tickets, items at our auction, and or participate in Kiwanis events, your donations are greatly appreciated.  

In a couple of weeks, we will be starting an online auction selling flowers, gift certificates, and other fun things you can give your “honey” for Valentine’s Day. But it’s not just fun for us; it’s serious business. The proceeds will help us provide more and better services for the children whom you see around you every day. Children who need our help throughout the year, not just at Christmastime.

Monetary donations are wonderful but we also want you! Consider becoming a member and adding your ideas, hearts and hands to making Kiwanis Club continue to work here in the Maine Highlands. 

Send us a message at dfkiwanischariites@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you.