Terrific Kids: Terrific Kids is a student-recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem, and perseverance. “Terrific” stands for Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive, and Capable. Students work with their classroom teacher to establish goals to improve behavior, peer relationships, attendance, or school work. Students who achieve their goals are recognized as “Terrific Kids” and are rewarded with t-shirts, a certificate of recognition, gift cards, and other rewards. We have implemented the Terrific Kids program with La Vega Elementary School in La Vega ISD.
The BUG Program: Bring Up Grades or “BUG” Program is designed to provide recognition to students who raise their grades into an acceptable range and maintain or continue to raise them for one grading period to the next. Recognition includes being placed on the school’s BUG Honor Roll, as well as other rewards. The Kiwanis Club of Waco works with La Vega Elementary School to bring up grades.
The Arc of McLennan County: Each year, The Kiwanis Club of Waco hosts a charity golf tournament with proceeds used to support The Arc of McLennan County, which provides opportunities, care, and support for persons and families impacted by intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Salvation Army: Each holiday season, members of The Kiwanis Club of Waco serve as bell ringers for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
Food for Families: Also during the holiday season, members of The Kiwanis Club of Waco donate their time and efforts to collect food for needy families.
The Kiwanis Club of Waco Foundation: The Kiwanis Club of Waco Foundation Board provides a number of $2,500 scholarships to students to further their college education.
The Kiwanis Children’s Fund: The Kiwanis Club of Waco participates in The Kiwanis Children’s Fund, which provides grants to help Kiwanians changes kids’ lives-in clubs’ communities and a world away. These include prenatal care and vaccines to protect moms and newborns from tetanus (The Eliminate Project), safe places to play and learn, access to nutrient-rich food to boost brain development, books for preschoolers to encourage a love of reading, opportunities for youth to develop leadership skills, and so much more.
The Kiwanis Club of Waco Book Vending Machine: In 2023, The Kiwanis Club of Waco, in partnership with Stilwell Retirement Residence, Clark Roofing, Extraco Insurance, and other generous donors, installed our first book vending machine at West Avenue Elementary School in Waco ISD. Students who meet teacher-defined goals for behavior and/or academic progress are rewarded with coins that can be used to purchase a book from our vending machine that the children can keep. This project incentivizes good behavior and academic progress and instills a love of reading in children.
The Kiwanis Club of Waco 