Thanks to everyone who supported our Peanut Days fundraiser this year! Your support will make an impact on local childrens’ charities. A special thanks to our Grand Poobah (aka Club member David Gardner) for leading the campaign again this year!

The Kiwanis Club of Joliet has awarded Walter Zeller Fellowship to one of its veteran members, Darlene Bull. Darlene was cited for her contributions to the club and the community. 

Walter Zeller Fellowships were primarily established by Kiwanis International to help raise funds for Project Eliminate which has as its goal the elimination of Maternal Neonatal Tetanus in developing countries.

“Awarding a Zeller Fellowship is one way that Kiwanis Clubs can make a major contribution to Project Eliminate, ” stated Mark Karner, Club President. “Darlene has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years – supporting many of the Club’s activities and a major contributor to our Project Eliminate pledge.”

The Kiwanis Club of Joliet has served the greater Joliet community for over 100 years. #KidsNeedKiwanis #KiwanisNeedsYou

For more information visit jolietkiwanis.org or email [email protected]

Did you know, in addition to scholarships for high school students at JT Central, JT West & JCA, the Kiwanis Club of Joliet provides books to area children in pre-school programs AND sponsor Joliet Little Libraries! The funds we raise in our community – stays to make an impact in our community 

Our club is hosting a Cash for Kids Raffle – limited number of tickets sold and cash prizes. Email us at [email protected] if you would like to take a chance and support our local charities!

Kiwanis members serve their communities all year long, but the excitement for service really builds in October of each year as Kiwanis members come together for Kiwanis One Day – a day of community service that is felt around the world. The “One-Day” objective is to unite volunteers to participate on the this year, on October 24, the Kiwanis Club of Joliet observed One Day 2020 by collecting, delivering and stocking items to benefit Morning Star Mission.

Morning Star Mission provides food for the hungry, clothes for the needy, and shelter for homeless men, women, children and families in Joliet & Will County.

This year has certainly been a challenging one for the Mission. With our help, the Mission will be able to provide warm clothing to prepare for the winter months. In addition, items will be collected that will be distributed as gifts to the families receiving services. The Club is also donating $500 to assist with any items not collected, but needed, during this drive.

Kiwanis International estimates our annual Kiwanis One Day event will contribute nearly 1 million service hours to communities around the world in just 24 hours. Kids need  Kiwanis  in  Joliet and around the world, and this is our way of making sure kids in our community have what they need to thrive, prosper, and grow.

For more information on this One Day of service at Morning Star Mission or to learn more about the Kiwanis Club of  Joliet please contact the club at [email protected].

On October 7, 2020, the Kiwanis Club of Joliet held it’s 101st Installation Dinner and Celebration. Mark Karner was installed as the Kiwanis Club of Joliet’s President for 2020-2021.  Lt. Govorner for the I-I District , Division 23, Sam Giordano presided over the ceremony where Mark along with incoming board and officers were installed and outgoing President Vince Portlock and board directors were officially retired and thanked for their service. 

Incoming and continuing Officers and Board includes: Steve Brandy, John Davis, Sarah Dilg,  Karla Guseman, Patty Hall, Mark Hornung, Mike Kelly, Kate Kresek, Beth Laken, Caroline Portlock and Vince Portlock. Retiring Board members include: David Kaller, John Kilday, Vince McGirr and Ralph Sherman.

David Gardner served as emcee and gave an update on the club’s recent Peanut Days fundraiser.  Vince Portlock was named Kiwanian of the Year and Ralph Sherman was awarded the Elmer Geissler Lifetime Service Award. Thanks to everyone who was able to join us in person and online.!

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Joliet is dedicated to serving the local community through various service and fundraising projects.  We are part of Kiwanis International, an organization serving children for over 100 years.

We’d love for you to come join us at one of our meetings or a service project. Please go to our Contact  Us page and drop us a line! Someone will get back with you.

Kiwanis Club of Joliet meets every Monday at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estates Gathering Room at 15 S. Richards Street, Joliet, Il. from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for luncheon and general meeting.

Our 321 Club meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Edward Jones office, 1508 Essington Road, Joliet, IL starting at 6:30 pm for networking and general meeting.

For many years, the Joliet Kiwanis has searved as ushers during the month of July for Joliet’s BiPark Concerts on the Hill. Part of the duties include collecting funds that support the Park’s programming. So each Thursday night, between the various musical and comedy acts that perform throughout the summer, volunteers canvas the crowd asking for donations to the Park. Since Concerts on the Hill is free to attend and provides the opportunity to gather with friends and family to enjoy  local performers – many are willing to give making our job easy.

In order to collect funds and remain physically distant, our members got creative and decided to add butterfly nets along with our collection cans. The novelty worked and our members raised record numbers for BiPark!

Our Club members appreciate the opportunity to support the arts through BiPark – and we enjoy the entertainment too!

Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs (SLP) are designed to build social and emotional skills that prepare them for a life of leadership and service. The Kiwanis Club of Joliet is fortunate to sponsor several Kiwanis SLPs in the area, including:

Aktion Club, the only service club for adults with disabilities, providing an opportunity to develop leadership skills and to serve their communities. Members focus on building character, leadership, inclusiveness and concern. We are fortunate to have the Kiwanis Action Club through the Joliet Transition Center and Aktion Angles of Joliet.

Key Club is an international service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to encourage leadership through serving others. Joliet Kiwanis sponsors Key Clubs at JT West, JT Central and JCA.

Builders Club is the largest service organization for middle school and junior high students. Members learn to work together and develop servant-leaders skills as they serve their school and community. Joliet Kiwanis sponsors Builders Clubs at Hufford, Dirksen and Elwood Junior High.

The club advisors plan an important role – they develop future leaders and help club members achieve their club, community service and academic goals. The Joliet Kiwanis Club is thankful for Karla M., Michael D., Joe B., Kelly W., Alyssa G., Laura L, Cindy J., Theresa R., Nina E., Jessica B., and Kamron, M., who serve as local advisors and advocates for our sponsored Service Leadership Programs.

Over 150 people attended the unveiling of our display at the Joliet Area Historical Museum on Thursday, February 13th. They heard about the beginnings of our club as well as the impact our club has on local charities, our youth and people with different abilities.

The exhibit features photos and memorabilia from the start of the club all the way up to our focus and projects today. In addition, we’ve featured information about our Kiwanis Show, Walk for Mankind and Kiwanis Peanut Days.

The exhibit runs until the end of April 2020.

Thanks to everyone who helped put this night together, our event sponsors, and to all who came out to celebrate the unveiling of our exhibit at the Joliet Area Historical Museum along with Zonta Club of Joliet!