The Broad Ripple Kiwanis Club recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Their motto, "Serving the Children of the World," has been implemented in and around the Broad Ripple community since October of 1987.

Charter member and self-employed real estate appraiser Susie Neal recently discussed their past and present accomplishments.

"One of the first projects we were involved in was newspaper recycling at Broad Ripple Park. We contacted the recycling company, set up a bin at the park and have sponsored newspaper recycling there for 18 years," Neal said.

"Another one of our early projects was working with the Indianapolis Water Company to install mile markers on the north side of the Broad Ripple Canal from College Avenue to Michigan Road," she mentioned.

Though the original mile markers were later replaced by the Indianapolis Department of Parks, the BRKC's initial efforts in community endeavors like these have enhanced many Indianapolis neighborhoods. Their members have made a tremendous difference in the lives of children in Broad Ripple and throughout the Indianapolis area in various ways.

"For several years, we funded daycare for students at Broad Ripple High School for young mothers who had children, so the girls could continue attending school. This was part of the Parents Are Successful Students (PASS) program. When Tom Bardach, (owner of the Broad Ripple Trophy Center) was BRKC President, he initiated the Duckling Dash 5K walk/run event. Proceeds from this event funded the PASS program," Neal said.

BRKC recently sponsored a September 7 fundraiser at the Riverwalk Banquet Center at 6729 Westfield Boulevard.

"Our Auction for Kids' Sake was very successful. There were cocktails, a silent auction and dinner which was followed by a live auction with terrific participation by Broad Ripple businesses," Neal mentioned.

Lienert's Gym Camp, Master Jewelers, Riviera Club and anonymous BRKC members were among those who donated items for the live auction.

"We raised more than $31,000. Just over half of these proceeds ($16,000) were given to School on Wheels, an organization that provides tutoring and educational support for homeless children from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade," she added.

Founded in September of 2001, School on Wheels is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization founded by Sally Bindley, who is also their executive director. The non-profit group was modeled after a similar program in Los Angeles, Calif. and is located at 5420 North College Avenue. The remainder of the funds raised will be earmarked for children in the Broad Ripple area.

"Past beneficiaries of the Auction for Kids' Sake have been Broad Ripple High School where the BRKC has awarded two $1,000 scholarships annually to graduating seniors. We have funded programs for Child Advocates, Coats for Kids, Gleaner's Food Bank, Haverford Little League, Indianapolis Public Schools 43, 55 and 84, Peace Learning Center, Riley Children's Hospital, the Salvation Army, SIDS & Interfaith and Summer Day Camp at the Arthur Jordan YMCA," Neal explained.

"We tutor children one-on-one at local schools. Kids are monitored throughout the area. This is currently being done at School 55," she stated. The Bringing Up Grades (BUG) academic incentive program provides unique ways for elementary school children to improve their classroom efforts and academic work.

Many of the BRKC's volunteer efforts occur outside the classroom as well. "We participate in the Broad Ripple Village cleanup and we oversee juvenile offenders who paint over graffiti as part of their restitution. We have also installed smoke detectors in the homes of senior citizens in the south Broad Ripple Area. We have sponsored the median at 7000 North College Avenue for several years and our volunteers have rung the Salvation Army Bell outside the Broad Ripple Kroger store for 20 years," Neal said. Members have also sent letters and personal supplies to the Indiana National Guard serving in Iraq.

BRKC members have also handcrafted dolls for young patients at Riley Children's Hospital in their Trauma Dolls program. Their Read around the World project includes members reading to children and donating books to the IPS kindergartners. They have donated medical items determined from a wish list to the Ronald McDonald House which expanded to include a location inside Riley Hospital for Children near their 435 Limestone Street RMH on the IUPUI campus.

The BRKC has about 50 members whose backgrounds are as diverse as the service projects in which they participate.

"One of the great things about being in the BRKC is that, as a group, we can make a big difference. We have speakers at our weekly meetings at Binkley's Kitchen and Bar every Tuesday for lunch from Noon until 1 p.m. at 5902 North College Avenue.

"Most of our projects are focused on children and the Kiwanis motto is 'Serving Children of the World.' It is sometimes hard to identify the needs in Broad Ripple. It is an affluent area, but there are things we can do," she noted.

Their website, www.brkc.org, contains more information on how interested individuals and groups can become involved.

Kiwanis humanitarian efforts extend beyond the Broad Ripple area.

"In our Kiwanis Cares Program, we identify monthly projects that provide assistance to local, national and international communities for the benefit of children. The Timmy Foundation serves medical missions in third world countries for various health projects," Neal said.

Founded by local physician Chuck Dietzen in 1997, their medical missions have improved the lives of children in Honduras, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Equator and Guatemala. Dr. Dietzen is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine. The foundation is named for his brother who died as an infant.

Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915 where their early focus was business networking, but members also served the needs of those less fortunate. In 1916, they joined with the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to become an international organization.

By 1919, Kiwanis decided to change its mission from business networking to that of a service-based organization. In 1962, their membership expanded beyond North American borders to help children worldwide. Kiwanis had historically been a male-only organization, but female membership was overwhelmingly approved in 1987. There are currently more than 260,000 members in approximately 8,000 Kiwanis Clubs located in 96 nations and geographic areas.

As Kiwanis International approaches their 100th Anniversary, their mission, like that of the BRKC, remains the same. They continue enhancing children's lives not only throughout the world, but also in and around the Broad Ripple community, respectively.