History

The Kiwanis Club of Manchester was chartered in 1921, just six years after the original Club in Detroit, and is the first Kiwanis Club organized in the State of New Hampshire.

The name "Kiwanis" comes from the expression "Nunc Keewanis" from a Native American language of the Detroit area and means "we trade" or "we have a good time".

Club Profile

Read the Club profile and find out how you can join by contacting us.

What will membership in the Kiwanis Club of Manchester promise you?

• An opportunity for you to share your experience, your knowledge and your time in serving our community.
• An opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of your business or profession once a week – to relax, converse with friends and listen to an interesting speaker.
• Business and community networking opportunities.
• An opportunity to get "expert advice" from fellow members, who represent a wide spectrum of businesses, professions, trades and backgrounds.

Community Projects Supported

The Club is made up of businessmen and women serving our community with projects benefiting young children. Community projects we support include:

• Manchester Police Athletic League
  An organization sponsored by the Manchester Police Department devoted to children's sports programs. The Kiwanis Club of Manchester has made a five-year commitment totaling $75,000 to MPAL.
• HEAR in New Hampshire
  Auditory program for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
• Dental Care for Kids - Dental Alliance
  An innovative partnership between non-profit agencies, city government and businesses to assist in providing greater dental services to the underprivileged in Manchester. The Kiwanis Club of Manchester committed $100,000 to purchase a new dental van for the consortium of community organizations focused on improving dental services for the disadvantaged. The van is used to provide children access to dental screenings and preventative care.
• Health Care for Kids - Child Health Services
  CHS is a program started by Dr. Selma Dietch to serve the needs of kids without access to medical services. In 1994, we pledged $50,000 in support to build a new Clinical Area. In only three years, we completed our $50,000 pledge and continue to assist CHS with program needs. The new building provided CHS the room to provide kids the best in health care.
• A Home for Kids - The Webster House
  A "home away from home" for teenagers. Formerly the Manchester Children's Home, this 100+ year old home is currently a model program of today's group homes. In 1977 the Webster House was facing closure due to the deterioration of the building. The Club took financial responsibility and has steadfastly continued with this enthusiastic support including a major remodeling that took place in 1999. A home for kids, Webster House is a model group home with a dedicated staff and exceptional program.
• Educational Opportunities for Kids - Summer Bridge
  Summer Bridge provides bright, talented 5th and 6th graders with the opportunity to study a wide variety of academic courses taught by talented college and high school students in an intensive summer school program! Homework every night is mandatory. In addition Summer Bridge provides mentoring during the winter months to those students who participate in the program. Summer Bridge, where the enthusiasm for learning from the students and the young teachers, enriches us all.
• Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI)
  A research and educational program for medical personnel on child emergency care and advances in pediatric trauma.
• A Playground for Kids - The VNA Childcare Center
  In 1992, the Kiwanis Club of Manchester joined the efforts of the Visiting Nurses Association as they saved the only low-income daycare center in the city of Manchester. The Kiwanis Club not only pledged financial support, but they also labored to build the new, safe playground to serve our community's kids. In 2000 the Kiwanis Club again supported the VNA daycare center with additional financial support to upgrade and extend the playground.
• Child Health Services
  The Club contributed $50,000 to build the new clinical areas for this health care program for disadvantaged kids.
• "Walk with a Child"
  For over ten years, The Kiwanis Club of Manchester has reached out into our community to provide warm winter clothes and boots to needy children. With the assistance of community agencies between 60 to 75 children are selected to participate each year. The impact of the program can be seen in the eyes of the children, some of who are receiving their first brand new coat or boots.
• Kid's Cafe
  Salvation Army's program to provide heathly meals to kids in the inner city.
• Kiwanis International's IDD program
• Babe Ruth Baseball
• Other local community projects

We hope that once you have had the opportunity to consider the programs and activities of the Kiwanis Club of Manchester you will be receptive to our requests for support.

Your contributions are tax deductible - Manchester Kiwanis Foundation, Inc. ID# 04-3344536. The Club thanks you for your support and generosity.