Kiwanis Club of Swift Current - 100 Years of Building Part 10, 2011 to 2021
This is the final article summarizing service activity of the Kiwanis Club of Swift Current as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The club appreciates the support of the Southwest Booster for publishing its history.
Dozens of the initiatives supported by Kiwanis have been outlined previously and are ongoing. In the last decade, onetime donations have been given to Ronald Mcdonald House, to the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation, to the Meadows and to Dorie’s House. Support has been given for children’s programming through ECIP, the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre, the Lyric, the Missoula Children’s Theatre, the SC Judo Club, the Living Sky Pow-wow, the In Motion Wellness Challenge, the SK8 Park club, and The Center. The club now provides the Juggling Tent at Windscape, and a
Book/film Club has been formed for LBGTQ youth at the library. A “Forever in Motion” workshop was held to train local seniors to deliver wellness and exercise programming to other seniors.
K-kidz, mainly at Ashley Park/irwin, remained active. They, Kiwanis, their teachers, and community organized a Hunter Brothers concert that raised $3,700 for Lifeline Haiti. Another year, through a raffle and donations, they raised over $10,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan. Astounding Kidz achievements!
The club continues to sponsor motivational speakers for middle years and high school. Topics centre on encouraging compassion and raising awareness of suicide prevention and mental health concerns. These issues have led to requirements for Safe Places training, police record checks, and vulnerable sector checks for Kiwanians. The Chamber
of Commerce Business Connect Program connects students and business leaders. An annual donation supports Truth and Reconciliation events held by the SW Multicultural Society.
Kiwanians continue to lend their hammers and thumbs to renovation projects such as a Career Closet at Southwest Crisis Services, an outdoor space at CMHA, and dog runs, houses, and beds at the SPCA. Members volunteered at events such as the Swift Current Library’s 100th Anniversary, Hockey Day in Canada, the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games, and home ball games of the Swift Current 57’s.
In 2014, Kiwanis International launched a program to inoculate 129 million mothers and babies against tetanus. The local club pledged $10,000 over five years.
During the last decade, Fun Olympics for seniors was discontinued and, after 39 years, the senior dance for Spookerama ended. Covid-willing, the junior dance will resume this October. Sadly, after 37 years, our Golden K club, the Prairie Pioneers, disbanded and disbursed their remaining funds among the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation, Dorie’s House, and the Kiwanis Club of Swift Current. The two Swift Current clubs formally amalgamated in 2016.
The club continues to fundraise selling apples and Christmas trees and holding an annual golf tournament. For five years, Kiwanis and Rotary partnered in hosting a Lobsterfest. The club considered a partnership with the United Way in organizing the Foundation of Hope Gala. The United Way has since discontinued their involvement, but Kiwanis plans to resurrect the Gala whenever COVID allows.
As the entire Swift Current community struggled to cope with pandemic restrictions, Kiwanis found ways to adapt. Most of the projects requiring support were placed on hold, but the club did donate funds to the Lyric to assist with the extended closure and to Southwest Homes for the One-on-one program they initiated for clients having difficulty due to COVID. Kiwanis meetings have been held bi-weekly via ZOOM and communication among members is now enhanced through Facebook, Portalbuzz, and a club website. The charter members of 1921 would be astounded.
Amid continued public health uncertainty, Kiwanis plans for a 100th Anniversary Gala Banquet
on September 11. Plans are underway for the club to host the Western Canada District Convention in August, 2022. Clubs from Thunder Bay to Dawson Creek will be invited. An exciting legacy project is currently under construction in partnership with the City of Swift Current. A Kiwanis Bicycle Park will provide a space for children to safely learn and practice bike riding skills.
In 100 years, approximately 7,000 citizens of Swift Current have served as members of Kiwanis, committing their passion, talents, and dedication to serving the community. Congratulations to all current and former members and thank you to the community of Swift Current for appreciating and supporting all Kiwanis does.