Club History

Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Calgary Downtown, the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer was chartered in 1951 with Fred Horn as its first President. We still benefit from the counsel of charter members Fred Horn, Dr. Stu Fleming and Dr. Harold Spencer, who remain as life members of our club. In turn, the Kiwanis Club of Waskasoo of Red Deer was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer on March 23, 1964 which continued to provide Kiwanis service until it merged with the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer in 1994. Today there is one Kiwanis Club in Red Deer and it continues the proud tradition of service to our community through its 50 or so active men and women members. The work of the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer since its inception has taken many varied forms, all designed to make Red Deer a better place to live. Now about 80% of our capacity is in the support of youth with the remainder supporting seniors. These causes continue to expand and grow through new initiatives and the success we achieve through our dedicated members.

Among many, some of the contributions the club has made over the years were towards establishing or supporting the following:

Twilight Homes Foundation - Inspired and led the eventual building of 354 Seniors Retirement units in Red Deer. Bought by the government in 1985, the Foundation, which is now a registered society under the Alberta Societies Act, now manages and operates these facilities, with seven of nine Board members from the Kiwanis Club. Through fortuitous endowments, this Foundation is able to contribute to many causes and over $830,000 has been donated to the Red Deer Regional Hospital. 

Red Deer Public Library Expansion and Renovations - $80,000 donation

Red Deer Hospice Society received a major contribution from the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer along with the Twilight Homes Foundation to build the Hospice building located in Anders Park in Red Deer. Twilight Homes Foundation continues to support the Hospice, with a donation of $300,000 for their expansion and a yearly donation for operational support.

Kiwanis Harmony Gardens, located at Kerrywood Nature Center was a recent project sponsored by Red Deer Kiwanis Club and Twilight Homes Foundation. The first year round musical park for the city of Red Deer.

Alberta Special Olympics - Sponsored the initial ambassador to initiate this in AB, BC, The Yukon and N.W.T.

Red Deer Youth and Volunteer Centre - $55,000 donation for the property purchase

Red Deer Regional Hospital - Donated $30,000 to construction of the children's play area

Little Chief Park - Paid for construction of cooking facilities and picnic area still in use

R.C.M.P Crime Prevention Trailer - Donated $14,000 for design and construction. Now used by the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Org. at Camp Alexo near Nordegg.

"Victims of Crime" Project - Donated $4,000 for computer purchase

Other community agencies which have received significant financial and/or volunteer support include The United Way, The Salvation Army, The Central Alberta Women's Shelter, Women's Outreach Society, The Genealogical Society, The Red Deer Fire Emergency Fund and Senior's Residences.

Ellis Bird Farm received donations and our members were on site to help with the expansion of the areas for public viewing and informaiton centers.

For a more indepth document on the club history, please click on the link Below to view our Kiwanis History Book History booklet