Racine's Kiwanis Club celebrates 50 years of service
The Kiwanis Club of West Racine marks 50 years of community service, scholarships, youth programs and support for local organizations.
RACINE, Wis. — Kiwanis Club of West Racine is a safe haven for Paul Holley
Paul Holley found a renewed sense of purpose in the Kiwanis Club of West Racine, much like many others who have found a place in the community organization.
Holley, the club’s lieutenant governor, has been a member for 16 years. The club will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Veterans Day.
Kiwanis, a name originating from a Native American expression, has been interpreted in several ways. The organization was founded in Detroit on Jan. 21, 1915, with the motto “We Build.” In 2005, it adopted its current motto: “Serving the Children of the World.”
Kiwanis International has nearly 450,000 members in 83 countries. Clubs support youth in their local communities while contributing to humanitarian efforts internationally.
What Kiwanis does
The Kiwanis Club of West Racine has 35 members and reported $78,555 in total donations during its 2025-26 year.
Its activities include fundraising, community partnerships, food pantry donations, a toy drive and volunteering at the Tri-County Senior Olympics.
The club also holds an annual raffle, with tickets costing $125. Each ticket includes dinner for two and a chance to win $5,000, along with several other prizes during the holiday season.
Kiwanis Club has also sold Christmas ornaments since 1999. Ornaments have included the Wind Point Lighthouse, Racine Zoo, SC Johnson campus and Case farm equipment and more, Holley said.
“We’re trying to make Racine a better place,” Jim Michel said.
“I think Kiwanis has the opportunity to be part of something bigger than you are,” Holley said. “Collectively, we can do a lot. We can do a lot for the community, and I think we do.”
The club’s programming year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. Its 2026-27 year recently began, Holley said.
During his 16 years with Kiwanis, Holley has been involved in several events and initiatives, including the Tri-County Senior Olympics.
At the district level, Kiwanis has a foundation that provides grants for local programs and scholarships worth $3,000 each, Holley said. The West Racine club also awards scholarships to Racine Unified School District high school seniors.
“Over the years, many RUSD students have received generous support toward a college education through the Kiwanis scholarship program,” RUSD Chief of Communication & Community Engagement Stacy Tapp said. “We are grateful for their support of our students and their contributions to improving our community.”
The average age of members in the Racine club is about 57, Holley said. However, he emphasized that the organization welcomes people of all ages.
“I’m a retiree,” Holley said. “I’ve been retired for seven years. But, of course, it’s a place for everybody.”
Kiwanis during COVID-19 pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the club adapted by holding its weekly meetings virtually through Zoom rather than gathering in person.
As pandemic restrictions eased in the following months, Holley and other members met at several locations before eventually settling at Living Faith Lutheran Church.
“That was a real pivot,” Holley said. “I know to some people Kiwanis is like a second family. So when all of a sudden you’re stuck at home and you can’t get out and be with that second family, you know that’s a real loss.”
Holley said community-focused organizations such as Kiwanis have continued to thrive in Racine because of the area’s strong tradition of helping others.
“It is part of the culture here,” Holley said. “Not only in Racine but Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. People in the Midwest are like that. We take care of ourselves, we take care of each other, we take care of our communities, and I don’t see that changing.”
