Happy Thanksgiving Eve! As we embrace the spirit of gratitude, there’s no better time to reflect on the impact of generosity in our community. This holiday season, maximize the power of your giving by supporting the local nonprofits that make a difference in Santa Barbara County.
With #GivingTuesday just around the corner, Noozhawk invites you to explore our Giving Guide, showcasing incredible organizations dedicated to uplifting our community. Together, we can close out the year with purpose and compassion, joining a global movement of generosity on December 3, 2024.
In this interview, Noozhawk connected with Marsha Gray, President of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara, to learn more about their mission is to improve the world one child and one community at a time.
Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: We are the Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara. Our mission is to improve the world one child and one community at a time.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: The Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara was started in 1922. We have over 100 years of Santa Barbara Community Service. The first Kiwanis Club was started in 1915 in Detroit, Michigan by like minded community leaders who wanted to give back and serve the youth of their community. When club number two started in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Kiwanis became an international organization. Today Kiwanis is worldwide and still committed to the youth of the world.
Q: What motivated the creation of your nonprofit?
A: A strong motivation to give back and serve the youth. It’s just as important today as it was in 1915 to help people and volunteer services. We also strive to have programs that teach young people how to be volunteers as well as developing future leaders.
Q: How is your team structured? Have there been any major changes in your operations since you started?
A: The Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara is part of Kiwanis International. We have districts and division. The Santa Barbara Club is part of the largest district in North American called the California, Nevada and Hawaii District. We are likewise a part of Division 42 which runs from Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: The Kiwanis Club has a large family of sponsored clubs. There is the main club, The Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara and from there we sponsor five different arms of Kiwanis. There is Circle K which is college and university students.
We have a thriving Circle K Club at UCSB. These students go into their communities and volunteer at many events. Secondly we have Key Club for high school students. Key Club is large and active in the California, Nevada and Hawaii District. Builder’s Club is for middle school students and finally K-Kids for elementary students. Our club has adopted Cleveland School.
Finally what really sets Kiwanis apart from other service clubs is the Aktion Club. This club is for adults with disabilities who also have a heart to serve their community. Santa Barbara’s strong Aktion Club is constantly volunteering and working along side The Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara.
Q: Can you share a fun fact or little-known detail about your nonprofit that would surprise people?
A: Key Club International for high school students was started in Sacramento, California in 1925. Many, many adults today were part of Key Club, and wore the yellow vests, without ever realizing they were a member of the Kiwanis family.
Q: How do you share your nonprofit’s impact and updates with the public?
A: Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara has had many service projects over the last 100 years. Kiwanis is a fun and productive way for people to volunteer, make friends and support their community. We currently have three outstanding programs we are most proud of. The first is scholarships for graduating seniors from local high schools. We grant 8-10 scholarships varying from $2,500 to $3,500. The recipient need not be a 4.0 student. We review all aspects of the student’s life, goals and needs.
The second is our Thanksgiving luncheon for the Santa Barbara disabled community. In conjunction with the Santa Barbara City’s Parks and Recreation Department on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving we cook and feed over 200 members of this community a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Finally and one of our newest service projects is a back to school event. We supply back packs and clothes to Cleveland School students. We work with Old Navy as well as our service club buddies from The Rotary Club in Santa Barbara.
Q: What makes your organization trustworthy for donors, and are there other ways people can support your cause beyond donations?
A: When a sponsor or individual donates to the Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara they can be 100% assured that every dollar goes right back into the Santa Barbara community.
Q: Can you highlight one immediate goal and one long-term vision your nonprofit aims to achieve in the next year?
A: Our current goal is to grow our membership. The more people involved with the Kiwanis club the more good works we can do for Santa Barbara.
We meet the first and third Wednesday of the month for lunch at Cody’s restaurant. Come to Cody’s at 4898 Hollister Avenue for lunch on the first or third Wednesday and be our guest for lunch. You will hear a great speaker, have a yummy lunch and learn more about what we do. Just show up and say “I’m here for the Kiwanis Meeting” You will be most welcomed!
Q: Is there anything important or unique about your nonprofit that we haven’t covered yet?
A: Life in the United States and Santa Barbara has changed significantly since Kiwanis was first established over 100 years ago. It’s difficult to imagine but woman weren’t a part of Kiwanis until 1987. Now we can’t imagine our clubs without women.
Service clubs used to meet weekly. These clubs were a strong way to connect with friends and help the community as well. With the advent of the internet and social media the need to meet every week became less important.
Society connects in many different ways now. What hasn’t changed is a community’s need to volunteer and do service. Service clubs fill a vital role for both the participants who are club members and perform service as well as the population that receives the service. We’d love to have you join us.
Click here to support the Kiwanis Club of Santa Barbara’s mission to improve the world one child and one community at a time.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.