Service Projects
Check out what Kiwanis of Aiken has been up to this year
Salvation Army Red Shield Center gets a little help from Kiwanis
Kiwanis Club of Aiken recently worked on upgrades to The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center. Kiwanians Steve Shoemaker, John Michielini, Jean-Paul Gouffray and Tom Kessing worked together on the project. The team replaced and painted the side panels of the door entry, installed new security hardware, along with a new vanity and faucet installation in the restroom. They also did work on the attic access door including installing an energy efficient cover donated by Angela Boyette.
Fellow Kiwanian Captain Malaika Good expressed gratitude from the Salvation Army of Aiken. "We are so very thankful for the hard work the Kiwanis Club did. The kids were SO excited to see the new vanity. Our staff were excited for the extra layer of protection with the back door."
Fellow Kiwanian Captain Malaika Good expressed gratitude from the Salvation Army of Aiken. "We are so very thankful for the hard work the Kiwanis Club did. The kids were SO excited to see the new vanity. Our staff were excited for the extra layer of protection with the back door."
Volunteers help the hungry
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Kiwanis Club of Aiken staffed a service project for Golden Harvest Food Bank April 9. Volunteers packed close to 300 boxes with canned chicken and beef for area family distribution. According to the Food Bank website, one in four local children face hunger.
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Be A Bunny helps area seniors
We once again collected items for United Way’s "Be A Bunny Project" at our March 17 meeting. Last year "Be a Bunny" collected nearly 500 Easter Baskets that were distributed to seniors in our community. The primary basket recipients were clients of Aiken Senior Life Services (ASLS) home delivered meal program.
Tri-Development elves wrap for those with disabilities
Kiwanis member Tom Kessing and his wife Sarah volunteer with Tri-Development staff at the Christmas Wrapping Center. Proceeds from the campaign help serve our area’s children and adults with autism, head and spinal cord injuries, intellectual disabilities and related disabilities as well as their families. Operation TDC Christmas Store provides holiday gifts for approximately 200 adults with disabilities.
Kiwanians volunteer for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree
Members of Kiwanis of Aiken participated in service projects for the Salvation Army in December at the Christmas Cheer Center and downtown at Lionel Smith LTD. Volunteers rang bells and sorted gifts for the less fortunate youth and seniors in our community.
Kiwanis supports Builder's Club in their "Spooky to be Hungry" campaign
The Kiwanis Club of Aiken recently contributed to Levelle McCampbell Middle School's Builder's Club "Spooky to be Hungry" service project. Kiwanis members collected a large bin of non-perishable food items that will ultimately help the Golden Harvest Food Bank. Above, Service Committee Chair Denise Shoemaker and Steve Shoemaker delivered the items to the school October 17.
Brightening spaces at Helping HandsOur club renovated a suite at Helping Hands to help cheer children who are housed there. The service project took place on site February 22, 2025. Two shifts painted and redecorated the suite in less than 8 hours. Thanks to John Boyette, Angela Boyette, Denise Kemp, Steve Shoemaker, Asia Ennis, Gail Hicks, Donna Simms, Hetal Acharekar, Tracy Coakley and Muriel Gouffay for their help.
Kiwanis of Aiken sponsors a Red Kettle
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Salvation Army of Aiken holds community Thanksgiving
Kiwanis members assisted the Salvation Army of Aiken's first annual "Come to the Table" community Thanksgiving event Thursday, November 28. Club members cooked three turkeys Wednesday evening and helped carve over 65 turkeys the next day. With help from the community and volunteers, The Salvation Army served 750 meals between the event at First Baptist Church downtown and their Street Feeding Ministry.
Students tour FOTAS of Aiken
The club hosted K-Kids and Builder’s Club at FOTAS January 14. Kathy Cagle, Programs Coordinator, toured the students through the shelter and talked about how the facility helps animals in Aiken County and talked about volunteer opportunities.
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Helping Hands
Helping Hands has been a temporary home for thousands of young people in our 50-year history. They currently accept child victims of abuse. Kiwanis of Aiken redecorated a room for two teenage girls at the Helping Hands campus in Aiken on Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3. We painted the bedroom and bathroom, installed shelving and redecorated the entire area. To accomplish this room makeover, we had two teams who worked the project.
Helping Hands
Working with Shi'Tavia Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator/Outreach Advocate, we again partnered with Helping Hands. We sponsored a July birthday party for one of their newest residents. The food, tableware and presents were delivered Wednesday, July 2.
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Jewelry Trunk Show
Kiwanis of Aiken assisted The Salvation Army of Aiken's Jewelry Trunk Show October 19. Helped to create a marketing pop-up sales event at the Southside Thrift Store. Collected antique and gently used jewelry all year. Organized jewelry pricing, grouping, set up and tear down for the event. Proceeds went to supporting the area's only homeless emergency shelter.
