A few of the projects/events/fundraisers that we participate in and are proud of include:
Our Kiwanis Kids Program – This was a program we began during the 2018-2019 school year. The purpose of this program was to encourage students to increase school performance; basically by rewarding students that are struggling due to the progress they exhibit to improve. This could be by submitting homework when they typically haven’t in the past, participating in class, or improving their grades. Every 9 weeks, teachers of each third-grade class submit the name of a boy or girl which they have noticed improvements in their efforts. These students are presented a certificate by a Kiwanis member and Raising Cane’s has partnered with us to award these students with a free kids meal. At the conclusion of the school year, all of the boy names and all the girl names from that school are entered into a drawing, and one lucky boy and one lucky girl are presented with a brand new bicycle. This program was piloted the first year at Park Vista Elementary for their third graders and at Hope for Opelousas for their middle and elementary school-aged kids. Teachers were blown away on the progress that was made by this incentive to improve, thus we expanded it during the 2019-2020 school year to include all public schools in SLP.
Safe Halloween – Every year we attend and provide bags to trick or treaters who show up with none at Le Vieux Village.
Lighting of the Village – Every year we set up a tent at Le Vieux Village Lighting of the Village and cook a taco soup to provide small bowls to the community free of charge.
Breakfast with Santa – Every year we donate and volunteer our time to serve at Breakfast with Santa, which is a benefit for the Opelousas Area Cerebral Palsy Clinic.
Historic Holiday Tour of Homes – In December of 2019 we piloted a Historic Holiday Tour of Homes to serve as a fundraiser. It ended with a small reception at a new local venue with live music and delicious hors d’oeuvres. It was a great way to capitalize on the history of our community while supporting a great cause!
Krewe des Cheins des Opelousas – In February of 2020 we piloted our first dog parade for Mardi Gras as another fundraiser. Dogs were decked out by their owners and paraded around South Park. There was face painting, a photo booth, vendors, and we sold chillin’ dogs aka chili dogs. This was such a fun event and again a great way to support a great cause. Our 2nd annual KdC was bigger and better. It was moved to courthouse square for visibility.
Scholarships – Annually we partner with the St. Landry Parish Chamber of Commerce and South Louisiana Community College to provide scholarships to students from St. Landry Parish.
Community Donations – We do offer donations to community organizations as the need arises and our funds allow. A couple to mention include CASA and the Boys and Girls Club.
Kiwanis Co-Ed Softball Tournament – We are currently planning our 2nd annual softball tournament to serve as a fundraiser to help us continue our mission of improving the lives of children in our community.
Gleaux Ride Safely – June 2022 marked our first free community event geared towards families. Kiwanis partnered with Dads and Kids as well as Acadiana Regional Transportation Safety Coalition to serve free food, provide free Cycling Savvy (bicycle safety training), coordinate a bike ride across the historical district, and wrapped up the event with prizes in the evening.
