The Kimberly Area School District (KASD) is proud to celebrate the Kiwanis Club of Darboy on its 25th anniversary of dedicated service to our community. For a quarter of a century, the Kiwanis Club has been a vital partner to Kimberly High School’s (KHS) Key Club, providing crucial support and fostering a legacy of leadership and volunteerism among our students.
In recognition of its support for the youth of the community and the Kimberly Area Schools, the Kiwanis Club of Darboy was recently nominated by our district for the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) Child Advocacy Award. This nomination underscores the significant impact of their dedicated service and commitment to enhancing the educational and developmental opportunities for our students.
“The members of the Darboy Kiwanis Club appreciate this recognition from the Kimberly Area School District,” said Kiwanis President Ron Simonis. “The club’s longevity is due in large part to its relationship with the Kimberly schools. While Kiwanis' motto is Serving the Children of the World, every Kiwanis club understands that this begins with serving the children and families of their local communities.”
The Kiwanis Club of Darboy has been the primary sponsor of the Kimberly High School Key Club since its inception. The Key Club has grown under the Kiwanis Club's generous contributions, which have included significant financial support, surpassing $10,000 annually to various local, regional, and state initiatives.
“Ever since elementary school, I dreamed of being in Key Club, said current KHS senior and Key Club President Grace Dollevoet. “My brother and sister were both really involved in Key Club, and I was always tagging along. Key Club changed me; it was a huge step out of my comfort zone, but it helped me grow as a person.”
Key initiatives championed by the Kiwanis Club include the Summer Park Events at Darboy Park, which offer a range of free, family-friendly activities in collaboration with the Village of Harrison and the Town of Buchanan. The club’s commitment extends through numerous other initiatives, including Highway Cleanup, the Annual Family Christmas collaboration, and the Taste of the Town event, which not only raises funds for local causes but also strengthens ties with local businesses.
In addition to supporting the Key Club, the Kiwanis Club has contributed to district initiatives such as the iPads for Autism program, which has distributed 35 iPads since 2012, and donations to our school lunch program and the Little Library at Darboy Park.
Their history of community service goes beyond fundraising events and includes programs like the Family Science Fair, Chickenfest, Oktoberfest booth, Thanksgiving meals, the Soap Project, and the Young Athletes program through Special Olympics.
The Kimberly Area School District is deeply grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Darboy for their partnership and for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our students and community members alike. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration and celebrating further achievements together.
About the Kiwanis Club of Darboy
The Kiwanis Club of Darboy is a local community service group that started in September of 1999. Kiwanis Club of Darboy is a part of Kiwanis International, a global community of clubs, members, and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children, one community at a time. At present, the Kiwanis Club of Darboy has approximately 18 members, though its impact on the local community is far greater than the size of the club might suggest.
About the Kimberly Area School District
The Kimberly Area School District is a progressive public school district committed to providing the best possible education available to students. Its responsibility is to help lead the way in developing well-rounded students and future citizens. The District wants every student to be given the opportunity to reach their potential through academics, the arts, and co-curricular activities. It encompasses approximately 17 square miles and serves over 5,000 students in one 4K center, four elementary schools (5K-4), two intermediate schools (5-6), one middle school (7-8) and one high school (9-12). To learn more about the Kimberly Area School District, call (920)788-7900 or visit www.kimberly.k12.wi.us.