Kiwanis Donation Provides Birthday Gifts for Needy Kids
The Kiwanis Club of St. Charles donated $130 to the Humanitarian Service Project (HSP) to support two needy children in the Children's Birthday Project (CBP). Through the program the children, located in St. Charles, will receive a “Birthday Box” full of new gifts, books, and party supplies that help create an unforgettable and happy birthday. The Kiwanis Club of St. Charles has partnered with HSP since 2008 to help serve needy children.
Kiwanis Club of St. Charles was founded in 1964. The Club concentrates on contributing to the well-being of their surrounding community by giving time and financial support to a number of charitable organizations, educational programs, as well as to children and families in need. Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service-minded men and women who respond to the unique need of their communities and address worldwide issues by "Serving the Children of the World.” The Kiwanis Club of St. Charles, led by President Terry Andrew, is part of a “global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.” The Kiwanis Club of St. Charles meets every Tuesday at noon in the Foxfield Commons Shopping Center of St. Charles.
Each of the 900 children enrolled in HSP's Children's Birthday Project receives a 20-25 lb Birthday Box containing all brand new items: 6-10 toys, 6 books, school supplies, and stuffed animals. The boxes also contain a “party in a box kit” which includes all of the supplies to throw a memorable birthday party: cake mix, frosting, candles, balloons, plates, napkins, streamers, party favors and invitations. The children enrolled in the program, along with their siblings up to age 15, also receive a minimum of three gifts at Christmas through HSP's annual Christmas Offering. One hundred and fifty families served through the project also receive 3 weeks' worth of nutritious groceries at Christmas time. It only costs $54 a year to sponsor a child in the program.