
Kiwanians
Kiwanis is a
global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and
one community at a time.
Working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When you help improve a community or give a child a chance to learn, experience, dream, and succeed, great things happen!
Kiwanis Name
The name “Kiwanis” means “we trade” or “we share our talents.” It was coined
from an American Indian expression, Nunc Kee-wanis.
Founding of Kiwanis
Kiwanis was
founded in Detroit, Michigan, on January 21, 1915. In the early years, Kiwanis
clubs focused on business networking, but even then, members were serving the
needs of the poor. By 1919, the organization had changed its focus from
business to service. Kiwanis became an international organization in 1916 with
the organization of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario. Kiwanis limited its
membership to the United States and Canada until 1962 when worldwide expansion
was approved.
Toms
River Kiwanis Daybreak
The Toms River Kiwanis
Daybreak club was chartered by Kiwanis International in February 1990 with 25
charter members. The club was chartered with the assistance of the Kiwanis Club
of Toms River, the oldest service club in Toms River which itself was chartered
in 1924.
Our club has sponsored and participated in many projects to support children and our community. Some of the more recent are school clothing, holiday parties and gifts for children in need, house clean up and rebuilding projects, and donations to the Toms River Township for the construction of picnic table shelters for three local parks. In addition, Toms River Kiwanis Daybreak sponsors youth programs through Central Regional High School Key Club, Monsignor Donovan High School Key Club and Ocean County College Circle K, as they seek to extend Kiwanis principles among an upcoming generation.
Through our fund raising efforts the Toms River Kiwanis Daybreak club has supported and partnered with many worthy local organizations such as:
American Heart Association
Arthritis Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC
Central Regional Key Club
Children’s Specialized Hospital
CMC Foundation
CMC Kids and Family Services
Find-a-Cure
First Night Toms River
Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean
Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore
Hands for All
Harbor House
Holiday Food Baskets through schools
Jane Addams Day Care Center
Jersey Shore Boy Scouts
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Kiwanis International Foundation
Literacy Volunteers
Monsignor Donovan Key Club
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
National Downs Syndrome Society
New Jersey District Kiwanis Foundation
Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity
Ocean County Library Foundation
Ocean County Library Film Festival
Ocean County YMCA
Ocean Health Initiatives
Ocean Mental Health
Ocean of Love
Pine Beach/Beachwood Girl’s Softball
Project Lifesaver
Providence House
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Simon's Soup Kitchen
T.E.A.M.
Team Randy
Toms River Downtown Revitalization
Toms River HS South Orchestra
W.H.A.L.E.
The Toms River Kiwanis Daybreak Club has grown and prospered over the years through its mission of serving the children and the community of Toms River. From the original 25 charter members, the club has now more than doubled and is looking to continue its growth and service as we enter our third decade.



