Making a Difference: Spotlight on the Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River
The Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River is a dedicated community service organization focused on improving the lives of children and strengthening local connections. Meeting twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at noon in the conference room at Boulineau's Food Plus in Cherry Grove, the club serves as an essential part of the Grand Strand area's community initiatives.
Key Community Initiatives
Food Security Efforts
One of the club's core missions is to combat food insecurity. They manage 24/7 food pantries at three locations: Little River United Methodist Church, Little Blessings Daycare, and Sea Mountain Academy. These pantries provide much needed nonperishable food items to individuals and families, helping reduce hunger in the community. The concept behind food pantries is simple yet powerful: they provide accessible food resources to those in need, without stigma, ensuring that people facing hardship can maintain their dignity while getting the support they need.
In partnership with the Low Country Food Bank, the Kiwanis Club organizes monthly food distributions. These events take place at Loris Middle School and United Methodist Church in Little River, and they provide food for over 300 families every month. These large scale distributions ensure that nutritious meals reach some of the most vulnerable members of the community, offering both immediate relief and long term support.
Youth Centered Programs
Scholarships: The club is proud to award scholarships to graduating seniors at North Myrtle Beach High School. These scholarships enable local students to pursue higher education and follow their dreams.
Reading to Kids: Kiwanis members visit local schools to read to children, helping foster a love of reading and improve literacy rates among young learners. This initiative highlights the importance of early childhood education in shaping lifelong learning habits.
Aktion Club: The Kiwanis sponsored Aktion Club is a unique program that empowers adults with disabilities through community service and leadership opportunities. It helps participants develop essential social skills and gain a sense of purpose through service to others. This club fosters inclusion and social engagement for individuals who may otherwise be overlooked in leadership roles.
Sea Haven Partnership
The Kiwanis Club also partners with Sea Haven, a local organization that provides support to at-risk youth, especially those experiencing homelessness, abuse, or neglect. Every month, the club hosts spaghetti dinners for Sea Haven, aimed at offering a welcoming space for youth to connect, share a meal, and feel cared for. These dinners are not fundraisers, but rather an outreach effort to make at-risk youth feel supported and valued.
Sea Haven itself offers emergency housing, counseling, life skills training, and help with education and employment for young people in need. By partnering with Sea Haven, the Kiwanis Club is able to extend its reach, providing vital support to some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community.
Festival Volunteering
The Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River plays an active role in community festivals, including the Blue Crab Festival and Shrimp Festival, both hosted by the Little River Chamber of Commerce. Members volunteer their time to manage the Kids Zone at these events, ensuring that the children attending have a fun, safe, and engaging experience. The Kids Zone includes inflatables, games, and other family friendly activities, and the club’s involvement helps these popular local events run smoothly.
Trauma Dolls for Police Departments
In another unique initiative, the Kiwanis Club has created and donated trauma dolls to local police departments. These handmade dolls are given to children during stressful or traumatic events, helping to ease their anxiety and provide comfort in difficult situations. The trauma dolls serve as a therapeutic tool, offering children something familiar to hold onto when they need it the most.
Collaboration with United Way of Myrtle Beach
The Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River works closely with the United Way of Horry County, which addresses the root causes of community challenges in the Myrtle Beach area. United Way's initiatives include:
Health Services: Providing mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Education Programs: Enhancing early childhood development and improving high school graduation rates.
Financial Stability: Helping families achieve self sufficiency through workforce development and housing assistance.
Disaster Response: Coordinating relief efforts during emergencies like hurricanes or floods.
By collaborating with United Way, the Kiwanis Club amplifies its impact, working together with other organizations to address complex community challenges and deliver meaningful change.
Sponsoring Other Clubs
The Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River also sponsors the Kiwanis Club of Carolina Forest, helping to extend the reach of Kiwanis service and leadership to other areas. Through this sponsorship, the club fosters new initiatives, encourages the growth of service programs, and helps develop future leaders in surrounding communities.
How to Get Involved
The Kiwanis Club is always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference. Here’s how you can get involved:
Join the Club: Attend a meeting at Boulineau's to learn more about becoming a member.
Volunteer: Help with food distributions, reading programs, or local festivals.
Donate: Contribute supplies or make financial donations to support the club’s initiatives.
Sponsor Projects: Partner with the club to fund or sponsor specific programs or events.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River and how you can get involved, visit their website.
Transforming Lives Through Service
From providing essential food supplies to supporting education and offering comfort to children in crisis, the Kiwanis Club of North Myrtle Beach-Little River is a beacon of hope in the community. Their members exemplify the Kiwanis ethos: improving the world, one child and one community at a time. By joining or supporting the club, you can help continue and expand this legacy of compassion, service, and action.
