About Us
Stamford Kiwanis History and Purpose
We are a group of about 20 local business people and professionals, some now retired, who run events and raise money for Stamford Kiwanis Community Trust Fund (registered Charity, No 1077288).
Stamford Kiwanis collect money from local people and local organizations and distribute all the funds to local deserving good causes.
Recipients have included:
Friends of Stamford Recreation Ground.
Christ Church Children’s Christmas Party
Local Playgroups, Schools, Scouts and Guides
Homestart
Stamford Home Essentials Project
Laptops for Schools during the Pandemic
The club is open to all, with new members introduced to the club, by invitation, through our events and meetings.
It is a service club; a member of Kiwanis UK, Kiwanis Europe and Kiwanis International, but our events, fundraising activities and donations are entirely local. Its founding ethos is, as a club, to run local fund-raising events, to support those in need in the local community, have fun in doing so and enjoy social activities.
Kiwanis was founded in the USA in 1915, in Detroit, Michigan. But why the name Kiwanis? It was derived and adopted from the American Indian language ‘Nunc Kee-wanis’, meaning ‘we trade’ or ‘we share talents’, with a pledge to help those in their community. The headquarters are now in Indianapolis, Indiana.
As the Clubs in America grew so the organisation became international. There are now over 7,000 clubs worldwide and 600,000 members. There are 5,000 clubs in North America and some 1,300 in Europe.
In 1976, Kiwanis in Stamford, Connecticut contacted Alan Bingham, a bank manager in Stamford, England and as a result Stamford & District Kiwanis became established. The Club was subsequently chartered in 1977. The Club’s original aim was to “support the poor and needy in Stamford and the surrounding area”.
Currently, there are 9 Clubs in the UK mainly in London with the one other exception of Rockingham Forest, which Stamford helped set up some years ago.
In 2005 Kiwanis International changed its motto to “Serving the Children of the World”. However, Stamford Kiwanis chose to adhere to its original charter of supporting those in need of help here in Stamford and the surrounding area without any age limitation. We prefer to supply funding for an organisation’s particular projects or needs rather than general funding for staff salaries or overheads. We do not support individuals directly.
Our annual membership fee is currently £67 with the additional cost of a meal at Business Meetings charged to our mess accounts. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month at the William Cecil Hotel, Stamford at 7.30 pm. We also have social dinner meetings or other activities on the third Wednesday of the month to which guests are invited. Finally, we have varied social events throughout the year with our partners.
We have embraced current technology, have a very active website, www.stamfordkiwanis.org.uk and are on Facebook at @StamfordKiwanis. You can even track in real-time Santa on his sleigh journeys around Stamford. We have also introduced card readers at our events.
Each year we organise 3 events:
The Stamford Bonfire and Fireworks Display – Stamford’s main November firework spectacular, held at Stamford Welland Academy. It starts with a large traditional bonfire. Hot food, mulled wine and funfair rides all add to the enjoyment for children and adults alike.
Father Christmas Tour – pulling Santa on his sleigh, Kiwanis visit different streets every night for two weeks before Christmas. Kiwanis elves make house-to-house collections and young children see the magic of Santa at bedtime outside their own homes.
Kiwanis Father Christmas also visits Willoughby School for children with special needs, the Stamford Downs Syndrome Group’s Christmas Party and helps deliver presents to the Christ Church Children’s Christmas Party.
3rd Event: Just announced this is the Big Day Out on the Meadows, with Raft Race, Acoustic tent etc for full details see here
Since the circumstances have meant the Parade is ot longer viable we are actively planning a 3rd evern tof some kind that is of value to the community and raises funds for thr good causes we support
In the past, among other events, Stamford Kiwanis has organized Summer Family Fun Days in Burghley Park and the Stamford Parade that ran for many decades.
Bringing People Together
We receive much support from both local businesses and organisations with both financial and direct help with all our equipment and costs. This together with many friends who are willing helpers in setting up and assisting ‘on the day’, enables us to run events. These events bring the townspeople together, and through them, we typically raise £15,000 annually.
Stamford Kiwanis Community Services Funding Policy
Money is held in the Kiwanis Club of Stamford and District Community Trust Fund upon trust for the poor and needy or other such charitable purposes beneficial to the community of Stamford and District.
All money is raised locally and spent locally on good causes in and around Stamford.
Stamford Kiwanis funding policy remains independent of Kiwanis International.
We prefer to support organisations but will consider individuals in exceptional circumstances.
We enquire whether projects should be funded by Government and only make donations if we are certain that there is no prospect of this.
We prefer to give small donations that will make a big difference to local voluntary organizations. We treat other requests on their merits.
Requests should be made to the Stamford Kiwanis Community Services Committee in writing. If possible all Kiwani members will be sent copies. Members with an interest are encouraged to discuss requests in advance of the Sub-Committee Meeting and attend if necessary. Before large donations are granted a representative of the organisation should attend Sub-Committee Meeting to answer questions. Occasionally before a very large donation a representative is invited to attend a meeting of the whole club. A final decision is made at a monthly Business Meeting.