WELCOME
Join us to make a difference!
Kiwanis is serving the children of the WORLD and IN OUR COMMUNITY. Currently, Kiwanis Club of Lima serves over 450 children.
About Kiwanis Club of Lima
Our Mission
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Our mission is to serve the children of the world.
Our mission is to provide a space where members can connect, learn, and grow together. At Kiwanis Club of Lima, we strive to create a welcoming community that promotes diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Membership Benefits
As a member of Kiwanis Club of Lima, you will have access to exclusive events, weekly programs with interesting presenters, and the opportunities to volunteer and make a positive impact in your community and the world. To join or receive more information, please contact
Bev Beery at bev@beeryinsurance.com or
Willie Heggins at wheggins@heirforcecs.com
How we get involved in the community
Our 100 Plus Year History
Our 100 Plus Year History
Our 100 Plus Year History
WE'RE OVER 100
Founded in 1919, Kiwanis Club of Lima is one of the oldest clubs in Kiwanis International, which was founded in 1915.The Lima Kiwanis Club is in Division II of the Ohio District of Kiwanis International. Since it was chartered, the Lima Kiwanis Club has been an integral part of the community serving the children of Allen County.
The Kiwanis Club of Lima was officially organized on August 20, 1919, after application was made by 100 persons to the Chicago Club in accordance with the procedures at that time. The charter was officially granted on January 14, 1920. The sponsoring club was the Toledo club. The Lima Club was the 16th club to be organized in Ohio and the 156th in all of Kiwanis. The first president was Frances W. Durbin.
While the Lima Kiwanis club was active in the community from the time it was organized its first major project was the Fresh Air Camp in 1925. This involved the purchase of land near Route 81 and old Route 25 and the construction of buildings on the site which served underprivileged youth. The costs were assessed annually to the members. Unfortunately the Great Depression resulted in the members not being able to support the camp so it was closed in 1932 and the land was sold. The proceeds of the sale were deposited to be held for future scouting endeavors.
A FEW OF OUR PROJECTS THROUGH THE YEARS
PREVENT IODINE DEFICIENCY
Joined UNICEF to raise funds to eliminate disabilities caused by iodine deficiency in children. In 1994. Lima Kiwanis donated over $15,000; earned from fundraisers
ERADICATING MATERNAL NEONATAL TETNUS
We joined UNICEF and Kiwanis International in a $110 million goal to eradicate Maternal Neonatal Tetanus. These funds would provide vaccines for women in over 50 countries in which tetanus was still prevalent. Our local Kiwanis donated $33,000, earned from fundraisers. The goal was met worldwide.
ALL ABILITY PLAYGROUNDS
The interest of one member in the condition of the playground at Camp Robin Rogers on Conant Road, a campground for handicapped children and adults, sparked an interest in the club to form a committee to build an All Ability Playground. The Committee later joined the playground efforts at the Allen County Board of DD. As a result of this partnership, Camp Robin Rogers and Marimor School at the ACBDD both have beautiful all ability playgrounds.
KIWANIS ONE DAY
Each year, Kiwanis clubs around the world join in a day of service. Kiwanis One Day is held on the fourth Saturday of October. The Kiwanis Club of Lima will be joined by our Family of Clubs to volunteer at the West Ohio Food Bank.
Our Family of Clubs
Our 100 Plus Year History
Our 100 Plus Year History
SERVICE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Kiwanis of Lima sponsors service leadership clubs from Kindergarten to adult. Service Leadership Programs (SLPs) are “student-led” community service organizations that operate under school/organization regulations and draw members from the student body or adult clients. Club members elect officers and lead their own meetings. Through the leadership training received in the club, they become leaders in school, in the community and in the world.
AKTION CLUB OF ALLEN COUNTY BOARD OF DD
Members of the Aktion Club are Allen County adults with disabilities who have a desire to do community service. The first Aktion Club was established by Kiwanis in 1987 in Florida. Aktion Clubs became an official Service Leadership Program of Kiwanis International on October 1, 2000. Aktion Club of Allen County became an official club in November of 2005.
CIRCLE K OF OHIO STATE LIMA
Circle K is the largest collegiate service club in the world. The Ohio State Lima Circle K was chartered in 2018 and members performed over a thousand service hours the first year. Circle K Students gain resume-worthy skills as they perform service in the community that changes lives, including theirs.
KEY CLUBS OF LIMA
Key Club in Lima is experiencing remarkable growth — and it’s driven by the passion, leadership, and service of our high‑school students. The Key Club of Lima Senior continues to shine as a powerhouse of youth service in our community. These students don’t just talk about leadership — they live it. Their signature projects include packing food boxes for seniors at the West Ohio Food Bank and preparing and serving meals for unhoused families through Family Promise. Their passion for service is contagious, inspiring more teens across Lima to step up and make a difference.
On April 1, 2026, we proudly welcomed our second charter at Lima Central Catholic High School, opening new doors for students who are eager to serve their community and develop strong leadership skills. And with a third high school preparing to charter after October 1, 2026, more schools are stepping forward, recognizing the impact Key Club members are making across Lima. This expansion isn’t about numbers — it’s about influence. It reflects the dedication of our students, the support of our advisors, and the growing belief throughout our community that empowering young people through service creates lasting change.
BUILDERS CLUBS OF LIMA
Builders Club is thriving across Lima! Students at North Middle School (5–6), South Science & Technology Magnet (K–8), West Middle School (6–8), Liberty Arts Magnet (K–8), and Heir Force Community School are part of a global movement of more than 46,000 young leaders learning to serve with purpose.
As they navigate this “in‑between stage” of life, Builders Club gives students a place to belong, lead, and take action. They build confidence, strengthen character, and make a real impact in their schools and neighborhoods.
This work is championed locally by Dr. Willie Heggins — President of the Kiwanis Club of Lima, Executive Director of Heir Force Community School, and Kiwanis Advisor for three Builders Clubs, including the one at his own school. His leadership ensures that Lima’s youth have powerful pathways to grow, serve, and shine.
K-KIDS OF LIMA
K‑Kids is where leadership begins — and in Lima, our youngest students are already proving that you’re never too young to make a difference. Our K‑Kids Clubs at Freedom, Heritage, Independence, Heir Force, and Unity Elementary Schools give children the chance to discover the joy of serving others while building confidence, character, and teamwork skills.
The first K‑Kids Club in Lima City Schools was chartered in 2009, and in 2023, we proudly added a new club at Heir Force Community School. Since then, our clubs have repeatedly earned Honor Club and Distinguished Club recognition for their outstanding service and leadership achievements.
At its core, the mission of K‑Kids is simple and powerful: to develop young leaders through service to their school, their community, and the world. These students may be small, but their impact is big — and every project they take on helps them grow into the kind of leaders our community can be proud of.
For details on how your child can get involved — or how to start a service club at your school or organization — reach out to Dr. Willie Heggins, President of the Kiwanis Club of Lima, at (803) 596‑3670.
Our Ongoing Projects
Our 100 Plus Year History
Our Ongoing Projects
TREE PROJECT
The MacDonell Arbor Memorial is our Kiwanis signature project. This tree project has been a favorite Lima Club project since the early 90s . This project is in memory of Mr. James MacDonell who for years provided tree saplings to each first grade student in Lima, from land that he owned. After his passing in 1991, the club assumed the project and expanded it to include every first grade student in Allen County, Ohio. We order 1500 tree saplings annually and deliver to schools.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS and
SOUSA AWARDS
We hold an annual music awards banquet where we award a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 annually) to a graduating senior from Allen County, Ohio who plans to pursue a higher education degree in music.
John Phillips Sousa is awarded to a high school senior in each Allen County School, as selected by their peers, for exemplary leadership and talent in instrumental music.
DIVA'S DEN
This project has provided thousands of free prom dresses to area high school students. Thanks to the generous donations of new and gently used dresses (cleaned by Duffy's Cleaners in Shawnee) hundreds of dresses are available for girls to look over, try on and take home free.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT PROJECT
In partnership with the Lima Fire Department, our club is able to provide infant safety seats to low income families so their children can ride safely. The fire department provides a paramedic to give safe installation training for the seats and Kiwanis provides funding to buy the seats through generous community donations.
5K RUN AND PET CONTEST
The club sponsors a 5K run and a virtual pet contest annually near Halloween. Proceeds from Howl'O'ween Trick or Trot helps support the service leadership clubs. It provides leadership training, support for service projects and incentives. In addition it provides scholarship for graduating seniors who have been active with service leadership club during their school years.
ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE
Kiwanis members are host to visitors to the one-room schoolhouse during the Christmas Tree Festival at the Allen County Museum. The club raised funds to build the replica and enjoy telling visitors about "what it was like when...."
FUNDRAISERS
BARBECUE FOR CHARITY
SELLING TICKETS AT THE FAIR
Besides the 5K, the club has two major fundraisers: A Barbecue in June and selling tickets at the Allen County Fair. The majority of proceeds from both are donated to charities who serve children.