By Ashley Amason, Public Relations and Marketing Chair, DeFuniak Springs Kiwanis Club
       Kiwanis is for Kids  

"It is very gratifying to be a part of a group of positive and motivated individuals who work together to serve a cause greater than themselves, with no expectation of individual recognition” said DeFuniak Springs Kiwanis Club President Cory Godwin. “I especially enjoy that our focus is on children, and that creates a long-term positive impact on families and our community.”
 
Founded in Detroit, Michigan on January 21, 1915, Kiwanis began as a means of business networking, but by 1919 its focus shifted from business to service. In 1962, the club expanded worldwide, and in 1987 revised its membership to include men and women.
 
Locally, Kiwanis is known for propagating its mission to change the world one child and one community at a time. In DeFuniak, Kiwanis sponsors Student of the Month, Take a Kid Fishing Day, the Key Clubs at Walton High School and Paxton School and the Builder’s Club at Walton Middle School, participates in Boy Scouts of America, DeFuniak Springs Little League, Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, Walton County School District Clothes Closet, The Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast (DFS Teen Center), county spelling bee, and provides Northwest Florida State College scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors.
 
“The fellowship and working with outstanding community leaders to make a positive difference for kids and families [is what makes Kiwanis so rewarding]” said President-elect Mike Morris.
 
Morris and Godwin expressed their love of community service and appreciation of all those who share a strong commitment to improving DeFuniak Springs.
 
“My life always had a void due to not being involved in the community on a larger scale… I was thrilled to finally have the freedom to do what I could to serve others, and my first choice was Kiwanis because they serve children,” Morris said. “The fact is the club needs youth in order to develop the future local and regional leadership.”
 
When asked if Kiwanis was just plain fun, both men responded with a resounding, “You think?!”
 
“In the end,” said Godwin, “there is nothing more fun than putting a smile on the face of a child, and that is really what Kiwanis is about.”
 
Kiwanis of DeFuniak meets every Tuesday at noon at McLain’s Restaurant. Visitors and prospective members are always welcome, no invitation necessary. Every luncheon features a short presentation from community leaders, topics ranging from fellowship with former presidents to traffic laws to fishing trips and bad jokes. The only requirement is a willingness to serve the community and a desire to have a good time.