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Kiwanis International president visits Pacific Northwest for Centennial Celebrations
100-year tradition of service to children recognized in Seattle, Puyallup and Redmond, OR
SEATTLE (February 10, 2015) — Kiwanis International will launch its Centennial Celebration tour in Seattle this week, the first stop in a 12-city worldwide tour highlighting the work local Kiwanis club members undertake to serve the children of the world.
Founded in Detroit, Mich., in January of 1915, Kiwanis began as a businessman’s networking club. The organization quickly adopted community service as a goal, with children as the beneficiary. That first Kiwanis club, still active today, evolved into a global service organization with nearly 630,000 adult and youth members in 16,000-plus clubs in more than 80 nations.
Seattle was selected as the meeting location for the Pacific Northwest District, an international organization with Kiwanis clubs from Washington; Oregon; Alaska; the Idaho Panhandle; Siskiyou County, California; the Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Activities here launch the Centennial Celebration - a year of events around the world, including stops in Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles, St. Louis, New York and Chicago, and international destinations including Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Milan and Luxembourg.
“Kiwanis International selected Seattle as the beginning of our Centennial Tour as we showcase the community service performed by clubs in our Pacific Northwest District,” said Dr. John Button, Kiwanis International president. “We are eager to see the difference Kiwanis has made for children in the Seattle and Puyallup, Wash., cities and in Redmond, Ore.”
This year, Kiwanis club members are giving the gift of play to children in their districts by building playgrounds with partner Landscape Structures, Inc. The Pacific Northwest District will break ground for a $750,000 all accessible playground in Redmond and participate in a ribbon cutting of the Kiwanis Kids Spray Park at Pioneer Park in Puyallup.
The Centennial Tour will conclude in June in Indianapolis, Kiwanis’ global headquarters and the site of Kiwanis’ 100th convention.
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This week’s events include:
Wednesday, Feb. 11
10 a.m. – Puyallup
Ribbon cutting at Kiwanis Kids Spray Park at Pioneer Park where the Downtown Puyallup Club partnered with the city parks department to build the park. Ground has been broken and the $386,000.00park is under construction. The water park is being built on the existing city park downtown.
Dr. John Button, Kiwanis International president, will cut the ribbon with Scott Engle, club president and City officials.
1 p.m. – Seattle
Deliver stuffed animals and trauma dolls to Seattle Children's Hospital, 6901 Sand Point Way NE, River Entrance; a Children’s Miracle Network hospital and partner of Kiwanis International, including a visit from Nickelodeon character Dora the Explorer and a meeting with Julie Park, M.D., director of the pediatric oncology department, The Kiwanis Children’s Cancer Program supports the fight against children’s cancer. Kiwanis delegates will deliver stuffed animals and trauma dolls, some of which were made by the Issaquah Aktion Club, a Kiwanis club for adults living with disabilities. Key Club and Builders Club members also assisted with making the trauma dolls.
Friday, Feb. 13
8:30 a.m. – Redmond
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Sam Johnson Park, 716 Southwest Evergreen Ave.; held in conjunction with Redmond Chamber of Commerce KoffeeKlatter, the City of Redmond, area Kiwanis clubs and community members. Dr. Button will present a check to city officials for $317,568.88 from the Redmond Kiwanis Club and community fundraisers for the playground, which will be accessible to children of all physical abilities. A local mom’s club, the city, the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation, Kiwanis International Foundation and Kiwaniansalso raised funds to build the playground and replace an outdated version.
The Redmond playground will be the largest in the city’s park department and will be accessible for children of all abilities. Kiwanis established Sam Johnson Park in the 1980s on land donated by the Johnson family. Sam Johnson was a charter member of the Redmond Kiwanis club when he joined in 1937.
Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14
Ongoing - Seattle
Collect non-perishable food during Kiwanis District meetings at DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, 18740 International Boulevard; Seattle; to be given to Northwest Harvest food bank. Northwest Harvest and Seattle clubs partner to collect food for distribution in Seattle.
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Saturday, Feb. 14, Seattle
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Reception and gala, Double Tree Hotel by Hilton,18740 International Boulevard; Seattle;
Kiwanis International President Dr. Button; dinner recognizing long-standing Kiwanians; Entertainment by retired Yakima Herald-Republic columnist Spencer Hatton and Dean Oleson, actor and stand-up comedian; and performances by the Kirkland Kiwanis K-Band. More information:
“Kiwanis International would not be here today without the efforts of the clubs in the Pacific Northwest,” said Dr. Button. “We know the people of this region are grateful for the continued presence of Kiwanis in Seattle, Tacoma, Puyallup,and all cities in the Pacific Northwest, just as Kiwanis International is proud of this group of members for their dedication to serving the children of their communities.”
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About Kiwanis
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for students age 14–18, Builders Club for students age 11–14, Kiwanis Kids for students age 6–12 and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, dedicate annually more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 630,000 adult and youth members in 80 countries and geographic areas. For more information about Kiwanis International, please visit