The Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club’s first priority is improving the lives of children, and they are making a difference in Flagler County.
Thanks to proceeds from their boat and recreational vehicle storage compound, the club contributes nearly $150,000 each year to service projects benefiting local youth. The compound, located at 100 Kiwanis Way in Palm Coast, is owned and operated by the club.
The club celebrates and supports student achievement by offering programs that create pathways for academic success through scholarships, mentoring, donations and awards.
Recognizing the important role literacy plays in academic success, the club participates in a mentoring program. Members of the club volunteer in the classroom and read with students one-on-one, helping them pronounce difficult words and ensuring student comprehension of the material.
“At the end of the year, it’s really rewarding,” said Frank Consentino, a member of the club’s board. “The children really learn how to read.”
Every summer, through the “Library of My Own” project, the club donates $3,000 to Flagler elementary schools to purchase books which are then gifted to students in the summer reading program. Some of the children have never owned a book, according to Consentino.
“We encourage them to read the books and trade them with their friends,” said Consentino.
In the spirit of honoring achievement, the club sponsors a “Terrific Kids” awards ceremony every few months in Flagler County elementary schools. Students chosen by their teachers are presented with an award certificate and trophy during a ceremony that parents are invited to attend. Students are recognized for academics, good behavior, patriotism or other good deeds.
“That is one little thing that we do,” said Consentino. “It’s a way to recognize the children.”
One of their biggest projects is the scholarship program. Each year, the club awards an estimated $30,000 in college scholarships to Flagler County students.
Beyond academics, the club sponsors programs that provide food and clothing for children in need. The Chow Now project, which stands for “Children Hungry on Weekends Not on My Watch,” provides non-perishable food for school children to take home on the weekends.
The club also donates clothing, shoes and school supplies to students through the Stuff Bus project, which is a school bus that was retrofitted into a small store. Items from the store are given to those in need at no cost.
Club meetings are held twice a month at the Elks Club in Palm Coast. However, like many other clubs today, their membership is dwindling.
“Membership is down,” said Consentino. “But we have dedicated members that have stuck with it.”
New members are welcome and club information can be found at www.fpc-kiwanis.org.
“If you are a person who is interested in helping kids, we would love to have you,” said Consentino. “New members bring new ideas, and we welcome new members.”
