About Our Club - History of Our Club

History of Our Club

Founded in 1915 in Detroit and with headquarters now in Indianapolis, Kiwanis International is a thriving organization of service and community-minded individuals who support children and young adults around the world. More than 600,000 Kiwanis family members in 96 countries make their mark by responding to the needs of their communities and pooling their resources to address worldwide issues. Through these efforts, Kiwanis International truly is "Serving the Children of the World."

Kiwanis clubs view their role within their respective communities with a great deal of foresight. Key aspects to operating an effective club include:   Evaluating both children’s issues and community needs on an ongoing basis, conducting service projects to respond to those identified needs, maintaining an active membership roster of professional business people who have both the desire and the ability to serve their community.

The Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach held its first organizational meeting on June 20, 1973.  The first program was given by Matthew Mitchell and Jack Moore on June 22, 1993 entitled “Your Police Department”.  The first charter night was held on September 28, 1973.

One of the charter members, Reeve Bright, is still a club member today. 

Over the years we have had the pleasure of having several Mayors/Commissioners of Delray Beach as members:  Tom Lynch and David Randolph, who were also charter members, Jay Alperin, who became a member in November of 1973 and is still a member of our Club, and our current Mayor, Jeff Perlman.

The Club inducted the first female member in South Palm Beach County, Mary McCarty.  We are honored to also have a past Lieutenant Governor in our membership, Scott Youngberg.

We have enjoyed the membership and fellowship of a wide range of community leaders over the years.  A list of presidents are as follows:

Our first fundraising activities began in the years 1974 through 1976.  They were:  Christmas tree sales, soap box derby, skateboard competitions, construction of playgrounds at Spady Elementary, a co-sponsored Christmas party at a nursing home, a Christmas party where Santa arrived by way of helicopter, a Summer Beach Festival, and the first T-ball league in Delray Beach formed, sponsored and umpired by our Club. 

Buried at City Hall is a time capsule with biographical information of our Club that will be opened on July 4, 2026. 

The charter members even had a couple of Kiwanis songs.

Show Your “K”

On his coat he wears a little button,

He wears it in the Winter and the Summer so they say,

If you ask him why the decorations,

He’ll say it’s for Kiwanis and he’s proud to show his “K”.

Chorus

Show your “K”, show your “K”,

If you’re stain’ home or goin’ far away;

On his coat he wears a little button,

If you love Kiwanis you’ll be proud to show your “K”.

When Kiwanis Calls

When Kiwanis calls, When Kiwanis calls,

      Let ev’ry man stand up.

When Kiwanis calls, When Kiwanis calls,

      Let each man raise his cup.

When we gather ‘round the table

      As long as we are able

We’ll pledge to thee our loyalty

      When Kiwanis calls!