Annual Christmas Party

Each year our members host a Christmas party for youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County, providing food, gifts, and a visit from Santa. This long-standing tradition helps bring holiday joy to young people served by an organization that provides safe after-school programs, mentoring, and life-skills development for thousands of Wake County youth.

Annual Diaper Drive

Each year the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh partners with the Diaper Train at Saint Saviour’s Center to host a diaper drive collecting diapers, baby wipes, children’s books, and financial donations for families in need. In 2025, our members raised nearly $3,000 to support this effort. The Diaper Train has distributed more than 7 million diapers in Wake County, helping ensure that local children have access to this basic necessity.

Leesville Elementary School

Each year our club participates in the Dictionary Project, providing third-grade students with their own personal dictionaries. Kiwanis members visit classrooms at Leesville Elementary School to present the dictionaries and talk with students about the importance of reading and language. The project supports literacy and helps students build vocabulary and confidence as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn.

Interfaith Food Shuttle

Each year the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh raises funds to support the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Summer Meals Program, which provides nutritious meals to children when school is out for the summer. When school cafeterias close, many students lose access to reliable daily meals. In 2025, our members raised more than $6,000 to help ensure that children in Wake County continue to receive the food they need during the summer months.

Literacy

Each week, the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh donates a children’s book to Read and Feed, signed by our guest speaker, to help support childhood literacy in Wake County. Read and Feed provides after-school tutoring, meals, and books to underserved elementary students, serving about 1,180 children each year and distributing more than 39,000 books annually to help build home libraries and strengthen reading confidence.

Church of the Good Shepherd

Since 1986, members of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh have volunteered regularly at the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, located at the Church of the Good Shepherd in downtown Raleigh. Founded in 1980, Shepherd’s Table provides free, hot, nutritious meals to more than 275 people each weekday, serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty. Through hands-on service preparing and serving meals, our members help support a long-standing community resource that has served millions of meals over more than four decades.

Soup Kitchen

The Kiwanis Club of Raleigh supports the Salvation Army of Wake County by donating surplus food from our weekly meetings and volunteering at the organization’s soup kitchen. Serving the community since 1887, the Salvation Army provides meals, shelter, emergency assistance, and supportive programs for individuals and families facing hardship. Through both food donations and hands-on service, our members help support a long-standing organization dedicated to meeting basic needs and strengthening the Raleigh community.

Kiwanis Park and Greenway Trail

The Kiwanis Club of Raleigh sponsors a mile of Raleigh Greenway and Kiwanis Park, partnering with the City of Raleigh to help keep these community spaces clean and welcoming. On the third Saturday of each month, our members alternate between the two locations to pick up litter and maintain the trails and park areas. Each cleanup typically removes 8–10 large bags of trash, helping protect Raleigh’s natural spaces and ensure they remain enjoyable for everyone.

Special Needs Baseball

The Kiwanis Club of Raleigh supports the Miracle League of the Triangle, an organization that provides children and adults with special needs the opportunity to play baseball in an inclusive and supportive environment. Games are held at specially designed fields that allow every player to safely participate and enjoy the experience of America’s favorite pastime. Today, the Miracle League serves nearly 500 players each season across two Triangle locations and creates thousands of volunteer opportunities for the community to support these athletes.

Elementary

Terrific Kids is a character-building program that recognizes elementary school students for improving their behavior, effort, and attitude. Students set personal goals and work toward becoming the best version of themselves, supported by teachers, peers, and community volunteers. When participants reach their goals, they are recognized as “Terrific Kids,” reinforcing positive choices and encouraging confidence and personal growth.

Elementary

K-Kids is a student-led service club for elementary school students that introduces young people to the value of helping others. Members participate in service projects that benefit their school and community while learning teamwork, responsibility, and leadership skills. These early experiences help students develop compassion and confidence while discovering how they can make a difference.

Middle School

Builders Club is the Kiwanis service leadership program for middle school students. Members develop leadership skills while working together on service projects that improve their schools and communities. Through club activities, students build character, learn to collaborate, and begin to discover their own interests and talents as young leaders.

High School

Key Club is the largest student-led service organization for high school students, focused on building character, developing leadership, and encouraging a lifelong commitment to service. Sponsored by Kiwanis clubs, Key Club members plan and lead service projects that benefit their schools and communities while gaining valuable leadership experience.

The Kiwanis Club of Raleigh is proud to sponsor eight local Key Clubs, helping guide and mentor students who are already making a positive impact across Wake County.

College

Circle K International (CKI) is the collegiate branch of the Kiwanis family and one of the world’s largest student-led service organizations. Through community projects, leadership development, and fellowship, college students build the skills and passion needed to serve their communities throughout their lives.

The Kiwanis Club of Raleigh proudly sponsors the Circle K club at North Carolina State University, supporting students who are leading service initiatives both on campus and throughout the Raleigh community.

Adults With Disabilities

Aktion Club is the only service organization designed specifically for adults with disabilities. Sponsored by Kiwanis clubs, Aktion Club provides opportunities for members to develop leadership skills, serve their communities, and build friendships while gaining confidence and independence. Through service and teamwork, members become leaders in their communities.