Kiwanis helps children build service habits early

by Melissa Martin

Parents play an important role in teaching children that civic service can begin early. Kelly Shaffer, an active member of the Brecksville Kiwanis for the past 23 years, knows firsthand that learning by example can have a lasting effect on children. “My son, Patrick, was just 10 days old when I took him to his first Kiwanis meeting,” Shaffer said, noting that she and her husband, Brian, were members of the Bowling Green, Ohio chapter of the club at the time and had been bringing their older daughter, Julianne, then just 2 years old, to every meeting and even included her in service projects. “It’s safe to say they got a taste for service as babies and from then on,

they have been hooked.” Both Shaffer kids went on to become president of the Twinsburg High School Key Club. Julianne pursued an advisory role in the Bowling Green State University chapter of Kiwanis, while Patrick also became an Eagle Scout. “They became the kind of kids that were always asking what was next on the list of things they could help with and always wanted to stay involved,” Kelly said. “Eventually, they wanted to look for leadership opportunities to help guide others who felt the same way as they did.”

Like the Rotary clubs and other servant leadership programs, Kiwanis offers youth as young as first grade the opportunity to get involved in both their school community and the place they call home. Following the motto: “Start them young and keep them growing through the program,” Brecksville Kiwanis oversees three high school-level Key Clubs at Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Twinsburg and North Royalton high schools. The organization also oversees the Builders Club at Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School and the K-Kids Club at Brecksville-Broadview Heights Elementary School. Each program offers students the opportunity to participate in age-appropriate service projects inside their schools – from picking up trash to making blankets for cancer patients and everything in between – and to assist with adult-level Kiwanis community projects and programs as well.

“It gives them the chance to serve with like-minded individuals of all ages and develop a network of connections with people from all over the world,” Kelly said. “Along the way, they develop a passion for serving others and develop confidence, a sense of belonging and valuable leadership skills that will help them in every stage of their lives.”