Local Projects

Fundraiser proceeds go into the Project Fund which is used to support community projects and civic activities. The expenses required for running the club are financed through an administrative account which is separate from the Project Fund.

We are always open to new ideas! Our current fundraisers include Kiwanis Peanuts, Dues, selling coffee cakes, Bergner’s Community Days and donations.

Sterling Kiwanis is always looking for non-members to help with projects. If you are interested in helping with a project and are still not sure whether you'd like to join the club, please contact a club member or the club president.

Adopt-A-Highway

The Sterling Kiwanis club has assumed responsibility for the clean-up of LeFevre Road from Griswold Avenue to McCue Road. Several times each year Kiwanians walk this roadway picking up trash.

Bike Rodeo

The Sterling Kiwanis participates in the annual Sterling Police Department Bike Rodeo, providing items given to each participant and volunteers who work the event.

Bowl-A-Thon

Major fundraiser in March for Spastic Paralysis. We form teams to bowl at the bowling alley designated (usually Dixon) and we have people pledge money for the games bowled. We also do side bets and penalties for strikes, gutter balls and spares. Usually will have 2 to 3 teams of 4 each. A fun Sunday afternoon for a good cause.

Breakfast with Santa

Big Service and Fundraising event in December. Held at the Moose Club on a Saturday in early December, we provide a breakfast, opportunities to see Santa and get pictures with him, games and face painting for kids and adult. Requires two shifts of 6-8 people.

Builders Club

Kiwanis club for middle schoolers

Coats for Kids

One of the most important services Sterling Kiwanis provides. Monies allocated for teachers, school nurses and others to identify children in area in need of appropriate coats for winter months. Recipients get voucher to be used at participating merchants (Blain’s Farm and Fleet, Bergner’s, etc.) to obtain new coat. Can only be used for coats up to specified amount. We pay merchants on regular basis for actual cost of coats.

Child's Fair

Each year in the Spring, an event held on a Saturday in March at SVCC. Various organizations have booths giving out information about their services. We usually work with the Dixon Kiwanis and have a game the kids can play for trinkets or candy prizes. Need 2-3 workers.

Coffee Cake Sales

In the fall of the year we sell coffee cakes from Aurelio’s Bakery for $10 each. Our profit is $5-6 each depending on how many we sell. We have about 6 flavors and they are in disposable 8 X 8 pans. Everyone tries to sell as many as they can.

Concerts in the Park

Wednesday evening concerts at Grandon Center by Municipal Band. Kiwanis provides desserts once a year for the Patriotic Concert (closest to 4th of July). Pies, cakes, brownies and cookies sold with ice cream. GREAT fundraiser and important event. Need everyone to participate for this to be successful.

Dinner and a Movie

Fundraiser held one time per year. 2015 was first event. Dinner followed by a movie usually of vintage nature. First year was held at Martin’s and movie (American Graffiti) was at Sterling Theater. This year looking at other venues. Tickets around $25 per person. Need help with organization, everyone sells tickets and provides donations of raffle baskets. Usually held in early fall of year.

Downtown Clean Up

Spring event in downtown Sterling we assist with other clubs and organizations to pick up trash and plant flowers in the many flower beds downtown. Need as many as possible to be “many hands—light work!” On a designated Saturday morning in the spring.

Eliminate Project

International Project to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus worldwide. Watch video about it on here. We have committed to being a Model Club with a donation of around 29K over 4 years.

Fall Fundraising Dinner

Usually held in the fall of the year, dinner at the Moose with raffle items, silent auction, live auction, dessert auction, 50/50 and other attempts to raise funds for a specific cause, i.e.: Coats for Kids or Eliminate. Need for all members to sell tickets and attend. Need donations of raffle items and silent auction items. Need 2-3 people to coordinate event.

Festival of Trees

Each year, the Sterling Kiwanis Club decorates and donates a tree to the Festival of Trees in order to support Hospice.

Fiesta Parade

We have a “float” if possible (sometimes just a car with a sign) for this parade and hand out Kiwanis Peanuts along the parade route. Need 5-6 helpers for this event.

Halloween Costume Contest

Done in the past and might be resurrected. Usually held at the Mall. The children compete in different age groups, parade around and judges select best costumes, most creative, scariest, etc. Fun for all. Need several people to organize and judge.

Juneteenth

Celebration every year at Propheter Park in Sterling, celebrating the last state to abolish slavery. Events designed for children, face painting, games, snacks, and entertainment. We take bean bag game and give out prizes/sell snacks. Need 2-4 helpers and donations of snacks to sell (cookies/ brownies/candy).

Halloween Parade

Sterling Kiwanis participates in the annual Halloween parade held at Northland Mall. The club donates the "goodie" sack filled with candy and snacks and provides the Culver's custard which is given to each participant. Kiwanis and Key Club members help to register and organize the participants. The costumed children proudly parade hoping to win one of the prizes in the scariest, most beautiful, or most original categories. Kiwanians enjoy the opportunity to interact with the little ghosts and goblins.

Key Clubs

Kiwanis club for high schoolers. We have Key Clubs at Newman and at Sterling High School. They help us with fundraising and often with Christmas Breakfast with Santa. These kids often attend our meetings on Tuesday a.m.

K-Kids Clubs

Elementary school Kiwanis clubs. Usually meet once a month and help us with parades.

Let's Feed Our Children

Summer project community wide. We participate by taking one center for one week in the summer. We meet at 10:30 to about 1 p.m. at Macedonia Church to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and sack lunches with a snack bar, juice, the sandwich, fruit and other healthy lunch items. Children come at about 11 to 1 to pick up sack lunches to help needy families at a time when children are not getting school lunches. Need 3-4 workers at church for 2 hours. Key Club kids often help us.

Movie in the Park

Children’s movies throughout the summer at Grandon Center. Shown on Tuesday evenings at dusk, we work selling snacks and treats at a low cost to serve those who might otherwise not be able to afford a treat. Need donations and 2-4 workers.

National Night Out

Celebrations in various parks across the city to celebrate our intentions to make Sterling a safe community that encourages use of the parks and promotes concept of getting out and meeting neighbors. Held each year on the First Tuesday evening in August. We go to a park and cook hot dogs or provide drinks to anyone who wants. Need 3-4 helpers and food donated.

PADS Homeless Shelter

We volunteer one night a month (October through April) to serve a dinner at PADS and work the overnight shift. We divide it into 4 hour segments. We work 7 to 11 p.m., 11 to 3 a.m., and 3 to 7 a.m. Dinner is delivered at 6:30 p.m. Call ahead to know how many to cook for. We provide entire dinner meal. Need 2 workers for each shift—6 per month. Spouses can help out with this one. We need more people willing to work the night shift.

Peanut Days

Our number one fundraiser. We hope to make upwards of $5000 each year through this event. We sell at grocery stores, Walmart’s, to corporate Sterling, and on the streets. EVERYONE has to help to make this successful.

Reading at Sterling-Rock Falls Child Care

Every Tuesday morning a member of the Sterling Kiwanis Club reads to the children at the Sterling - Rock Falls Child Care Center.

Relay for Life

We usually contribute to this event and will buy luminarias in honor of members who have battled cancer. We can form a team to walk in the Relay, but lately there is declining interest in this.

Self Help Enterprises

The Sterling Kiwanis Club supports the early childhood programs of Self Help Enterprises through financial contributions and work projects. For example, in 2008, the club provided sets of "Playful Harmonics" which are given to the parents of children in the 0-3 program, and paid for 1/2 of the cost of the carpet and painted the room which houses the 0-3 program.

Salvation Army Bell-Ringing

Every year at Christmastime, we take several shifts for the Salvation Army at Kroger, Northland Mall and Walmart and we do the bell ringing. Everyone can/should help by taking at least one shift. We get a report back from the Salvation Army indicating how much money we were able to collect during our time. It is fun and rewarding!

Sights and Sounds Parade

Saturday before Thanksgiving. Christmas parade downtown. We usually have a float with K-Kids on it. We decorate a trailer and the parade is short followed by cookies and cocoa at the YWCA for the kids after it is over. Need volunteer to get and pull trailer.

Trash Pick Up

Kiwanis has a designated stretch of LeFevre Avenue where we do trash pick-up one time a year, usually in the spring. Need many hands for this event which is often chilly and muddy!!

Trivia Night

Fundraiser usually in late winter, where teams of 4 to 8 pay to play trivia. Often held at Coventry, in 2016 was held at Rusty Fox. Winners receive cash prize which is often donated back. Members get teams together. Need everyone to assist with organizing and recruiting teams.