Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach, Inc.

 Launched in February 2021 by the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach, the Skills Enhancement and Employment Development (S.E.E.D.) initiative teaches young adults how to apply, dress and interview for a job. S.E.E.D. was developed following multiple conversations between members of BSO’s Deerfield Beach CORE team and teens within the community who expressed their gap in knowledge on how to obtain employment. 

During the course of the program, mentors work with participants to draft professional resumés for future job searches, are outfitted with appropriate interview-style clothing, and participate in mock job interviews.

The Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach has committed to support reading and literacy in this community. In addition to partnering in wider initiatives, like the United Way of Broward County's Reading Pals or Read for the Record, our club commits to put a dictionary into the hands of every 3rd grade student, a thesaurus into the hands of every 4th grade student, and age-appropriate books into the hands of every Pre-K and Kindergarten student each year.

For many of the students who receive these books, receiving a book of their own that they can keep is a rarity. Our club is dedicated to raising up a generation of readers and critical thinkers in Deerfield Beach. 

 No better way to welcome spring than a free, fun-filled day for children and families to enjoy. Fun foods, crafts, face painting, music, dancing, games, prizes, and more. Over 600 people, 75+ volunteers, members of the Broward Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue, and community leaders help to make this annual signature project possible.

Every year, the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach awards over $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors who are pursuing higher education at a college, university, or trade school.

Students participate in an application process, and are awarded scholarships based on their commitment to community service.

Scholarship applicants must be a resident of the City of Deerfield Beach, a graduating Senior of a Deerfield Beach high school, or a member of one of the Key Clubs we sponsor.

 The concept of Christmas in July originated in 2001 when then Kiwanis Division 23 Lt. Governor, Dr. Celia Earle, researched the plight of homeless children in Broward County. The result is an annual division-wide service event that provides clothes, shoes, and supplies to the over 4,200 unhoused children in Broward County.

Since its inception, CIJ has served over 35,000 children.
 

As a 501c3 organization, the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach is strengthened by its partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and corporate businesses in the community.

Each year, we allocate a portion of our funding to support organizations and programs in the Deerfield Beach and north Broward area, including the Deerfield Beach Historical Society, the Deerfield Beach Arboretum, Equine Assisted Therapies, SOS Children's Village, Gateway Community Outreach, and Nina's Place Free Community Market & Pantry.

As an organization based in Deerfield Beach serving the residents of Deerfield Beach, we are fortunate to partner with the City of Deerfield Beach in support of their charitable events and initiatives, including Safety Night Out, the Back to School Block Party, Fall Festival, Shop with a Cop, Breakfast with Santa, and Pioneer Days.

We also participate in the "Adopt a Street" Program and collaborate with the Key Club at Deerfield Beach High School to maintain SE 2nd Street in Deerfield Beach, named for a  beloved Kiwanian, the late Ed Dietrich, Sr.

Kiwanis’ current global campaign for children, The Eliminate Project: Kiwanis eliminating maternal/neonatal tetanus, aims to raise US$110 million and save the lives of 129 million mothers and their future babies. In partnership with UNICEF, Kiwanis is committing to eliminating maternal/neonatal tetanus, a disease that kills one baby every eleven minutes. By targeting this disease, Kiwanis will not only save lives but also pave the way for other interventions that will boost maternal health and child survival among the poorest, most underserved women and children in the world. 

Our annual charity golf tournament, held in the fall, is a team tournament for local residents, businesses, and golf enthusiasts. The proceeds from the tournament fund our scholarships and reading/literacy initiatives.

In partnership with BrandsMart USA and Cobra Joe Productions, our club hosts at least two car shows each year. All makes and models of cars are invited to participate and Kiwanians sell food and drink, tickets for raffle baskets and 50/50s, and accept donations to support our programs.

The annual Santa Pub Crawl is the brainchild of long-time Kiwanian Maureen Kenny. In its first year, we donated over $2,000 to the Kiwanis clubs on Florida's west coast to help children affected by Hurricane Ian. Each year since, the club board selects the existing programs or sister clubs to receive the money raised.

5K for CIJ is a division-wide fundraiser to support Christmas in July, the Division 23 service project that provides clothing, shoes, and supplies to Broward County's unhoused children. Kiwanis Clubs and Key Clubs from across the division come out to run/walk a 5K in support of this project.

In addition to participating in charitable events hosted by the City of Deerfield Beach, our club is typically present at city events throughout the year, particularly when there is an opportunity to fundraise through food and drink sales.