Club History

The Club received its Charter effective July 6, 1948.

In 1949 the Club was involved in its first Apple Day.  The funds went towards te Kiwanis Children's Home, a forty child orphanage which was a project of the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton (Downtown).  This was the beginning of a long history of cooperation between Edmonton Area Clubs.

In 1950 the Club began a long involvement with Easter Seals (lasting until 2001).  This was also the first year that the Club set up a Christmas Tree Lot as a fundraiser, a program that continues to this day.

1958 was the first year that summer camp was held for the handicapped, at Boysdale on the Sturgeon River.

1960 saw the start of Camp He Ho Ha (Health, Hope & Happiness), a camp for handicapped children, conceived by South Edmonton Kiwanians.  The site was selected, and through the efforts of the Club, was constructed.  As Camp grew, Edmonton ACT and other organizations also became involved, all working together to make it the outstanding facility it is today.

In 1981, from a Club member, came a concept of an area where young children (Kindergarten to Grade 5) could be exposed to, and trained in, an awareness for traffic safety.  By 1983 the concept had become a plan, and in September of 1991 Phase 1 of Kiwanis Safety City was officially opened.

Also in 1991 came the start of the Reading Is Fundamental, a program designed for Kindergarten disadvantaged and inner city children.  The aspect of the program is that a book is read to them by a Kiwanis volunteer and then the child is presented with the book, as their own to keep.

In 1996 the Club became involved in a worldwide service project with Kiwanis International in conjunction with UNICEF.  Millions of children around the globe were suffering due to a lack of iodinized salt in their diet.  The resulting Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) campaign raised nearly $100 million leading to a significant reduction in the number of children suffering and dying each year.

1997 saw the beginning of the Terrific Kids program, working with schools and providing recognition (of a non-scholastic aspect) to children, motivating them to be the best that they can be.  This program is now in eight schools.

In 2003 the Club not only raised funds for a new Kid's Playground at WINGS (Women In Need Growing Stronger), but the Club members then got together and built it.