It takes a Team!
ABOUT US
Mission: Promoting children’s literacy and community trust in law enforcement
Goal: Getting free books into the hands and homes of kids, while also building connection and trust in the community.
Why?
2020-2021 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Jean Long Manteufel envisioned a service project that we could do with ALL our Kiwanis clubs. Her good friend, Football Hall of Famer, LeRoy Butler suggested this program, based on his experience with the Cops 'n Kids program in Racine. Then, the president of the Racine Cops ‘n Kids helped Jean design a program just for Kiwanis. Enter Kiwanis ‘n Cops ‘n Kids.
Governor Sharon Moody, of the Florida District, has joined our program. Governor Moody has named the Kiwanis ‘n Cops ‘n Kids program as her Governor’s Project for 2022-2023
Here is a service project that checks many boxes:
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Low-cost, so all Kiwanis clubs can participate.
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It puts free books into the hands of kids.
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It helps build community.
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Whether your Kiwanis has 10 members or 60, you can do this project.
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It helps children; Afterall, our motto is “Serving the Children of the World.”
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... and of course, it is fun!
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The key ingredient is working together with your local law-enforcement department and your club to get face-to-face with kids and create engagement.
Find with works for the style of your club. Here are some suggestions:
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Go where the kids are. Take the readings to your local school classes, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, or library.
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Add it to an event. Have a reading at one of the Kiwanis projects that you already do or at an event already happening in your community. What a nice addition to your pancake breakfast or any family event.
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Already doing a reading program? Invite a police officer to join you to read.
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Kids book drive and distribution. New books are our biggest expense. Unless you do book drive. Collect gently used children’s books. Sort by age. Then distribute the books at another event. Invite your Service Leadership Programs, like Key Club, to help.
Involve your police, sheriffs, schools, diverse groups from your community, your library, … and of course, Kiwanians and future members!
When you post on Facebook, remember to post to our Facebook page by adding this to your post: @KiwanisNCopsNKids
Together, we can serve the children of the world. #KidsNeedKiwanis