A history of Kiwanis in Swift Current

Chartered in 1921 as the 513th club of Kiwanis International and sponsored by the Moose Jaw Kiwanis Club, the 51 charter members of Swift Current took up the cause of serving their community and the children of the world.

Early days saw help given to families for needs such as dental work, eyeglasses, cod liver oil, tonsil operations, and even graduation gowns, while today’s organization fills a much broader and varied mandate.  

During the last 99 years the Kiwanis Club has helped to establish Kiwanis Park, the Kiwanis Ball Diamonds, and the Kiwanis Skate Park.  And from 1924 until the 1970’s a Kiwanis Bathing Station was built and supervised on the creek at Elmwood Park.  These are just a few of the accomplishments the club has achieved over the past 90 years.     

Other projects the club has championed include: community talent shows; horticultural shows; an Air Cadet Band; a Junior Baseball League; working to bring 911 service to SW Saskatchewan; encouraging organ donations; constructing a kiosk on the Chinook Pathway; organizing the July 1 Parade for a number of years; completing numerous renovations at Crisis Services and Canadian Mental Health facilities, as well as assisting the Drug Task Force with its mandate.  

Over the years, Kiwanis donations raised through their yearly apple drive and Christmas tree sales have gone to: local bursaries, free swimming for children, Babysitting and Cybersafe Courses at Great Plains College, the annual Youth Leadership Conference, the Summer Fun Program, as well as the much popular and ever-present Halloween inspired Spookerama event which was introduced to Swift Current in 1978.  

An integral part of Swift Current’s dedicated volunteer force, over the years Kiwanis members have helped to: deliver Meals on Wheels, conduct Highway Cleanups, flip burgers at the Relay for Life events, the Swift Current Comprehensive High School year end BBQ, and for 4-H clubs at the local Fair.  They sell tickets and conduct the annual Crisis Services Duck Derby, enjoy Fun Olympics with residents at the Palliser, help at Blood Donor Clinics, and brighten the days of hospital patients and local seniors through the Kiwanis Caring Clowns.