Kiwanis Club of Long Beach Foundation

LB Kiwanis is proactive in improving the lives of children and communities. In the past 100 years, we have volunteered & financially supported many projects in Long Beach. Your donations will help us do more to come up with more impactful programs. Currently, our programs and projects are as follow:

OUR SIGNATURE EVENT: KIDS AND COPS DAY

This annual event received the Neighborhood USA (NUSA) Award in 2017 for "Best Neighborhood Program for Social Revitalization". It provides a fun way for police officers to engage & build trust with middle school students so these youth can see the person behind the badge & uniform. There is no need to "fear" police officers.

KIWANIS’ SERVICE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

We financially support CSULB’s Circle K Club as well as eight high school Key Clubs (Browning, Cabrillo, McBride, Millikan, Poly, SATO, St Anthony & Wilson) 

Circle K & Key Club are student-led organizations where members have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, provide service to the community and build character so they are prepared for life & be capable and compassionate leaders. Kiwanians dedicated hours to mentor and chaperone these youth.

BEDSIDE COMFORT BAGS FOR MILLER CHILDREN'S HOSP

We provide Comfort Bags for pediatric patients at Miller Children's Hospital. Program Chair, Sue Baker, is dedicated in ensuring bags are filled with developmentally appropriate activities for patients from infancy through adolescence. Siblings have a bag with activities to distract them as well and parents have daily essentials readily available. So far, we have delivered 1,000 bags. Due to additional funding, we are able to deliver another 500.

SCHOLARSHIPS

1) Six $1,000 scholarships to LBUSD seniors with emphasis on service & leadership

2) $3,000 from LB Kiwanis to Assistance League's Cameo to help fund their Mentoring program.

COMMUNITIES AND CHILDREN IN NEED

1) Monthly dinner at Lydia House, a women's and children’s shelter

2) Books for The Children's Clinic

3) Quarterly bingo games at VA Hospital

ANNUAL HEART OF A HERO AWARDS

We host an annual Heart of a Hero Luncheon to honor a police officer and a fireman who have shown exemplary service over and above their work duties to serve the Long Beach. In 2024, the awards went to Detective Joseph Johnson & Fire Capt Jack Crabtree. 

Detective Johnson was honored for his many years of volunteering for the LB Search and Rescue Program where he trains 50 youth on various public safety topics once a week. Fire Capt Crabtree was honored for assisting in many volunteer activities, including the annual Spark of LOVE Toy Drive. He also mentors those who wish to serve as Fire Safety Officers.

SOME PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS

LB FIRE SAFETY HOUSE

In 2019, we raised $60,000 to replace a 20-year old unit used by LBFD. This new fully ADA accessible, portable and interactive unit will be use to teach fire safety at elementary schools. The simulated kitchen and bedroom will teach students fire hazards awareness. They also have the opportunity to practice emergency exiting procedures. To make it a realistic experience, there is a “smoke” machine to teach how to react in dangerous situations.

COVID-19  QUARANTINE SUPPORT

Supported City's Covid-19 funds

Donated 500 headphones and mice to Herrera Elementary School

Donated Chromebooks to older teens

GRANTS

- Architected and built a Veteran's Garden for wheelchair bound gardeners at LB VA Hospital, 

- Funded Kiwanis Lodge at Camp Tahquitz for the Boy Scouts LB Council

- Young Horizons' playground

- YMCA playground

- Renovation of the room for Assistance League'S Kids on the Block program

- Sponsored a room at Ronald McDonald House

 TESTIMONIALS

COMFORT BAGS

"The Kiwanis care bags bring such comfort in the hospital environment-- a place that can often be frightening and unfamiliar. When I bring one into a patient's room, I can see their interest pique and I know they want to find out what is inside. The bags and their contents help me build rapport with children, promote normalization of the healthcare setting, and provide age-appropriate diversion and support for our patients. They encourage kids to be kids! These bags are a joy for our Child Life department to receive and an even bigger joy to give away to patients and families during some of their most challenging times. Thank you, Kiwanis, for all that you do!"  ~Nurse

"Kiwanis bags directly benefit our patients as they help us to reduce their distress and promote their well-being during hospitalization. I always feel delight in seeing our patients’ faces light up when I give them a bag. It’s heartwarming to watch their excitement as they eagerly explore the contents and immediately engage with a few items. It's as if their excitement overpowers all other surroundings and they briefly forget they're sick or injured." ~Nurse

"The parent kit was a lifesaver, as my child was admitted into the hospital, and I had no personal items with me.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness."  ~Parent