Our History

Founding of Club

Founded in 1919, the Kiwanis Club of Rock Island began with 50 charter members and has grown to its current membership of near 100. Over the years, we have held many fundraisers, including pancake breakfasts, spaghetti suppers, peanut days, rose days, bags tournaments and many other events. We serve the community through our support of our service leadership programs throughout the schools in Rock Island. We have performed highway clean-ups, helped with numerous community events, and have raised money to benefit children and children's support groups, as well as providing scholarships to outstanding graduation seniors of Alleman and Rock Island High School. In the past few years, the club has sponsored roses for every lady living in a skilled nursing facility in Rock Island. In 2017 alone, over 250 dozen roses were sponsored by club members brightening the days of many ladies in our community's skilled nursing facilities. The club's rich history has been the cumulative effort of its members coming from fields such as accounting, civil service, education, management, retail stores, retirees and many more. The only thing that could make our club better is you. If you like making a difference in our community, please consider serving with us at Kiwanis Club of Rock Island.

Past Presidents
See the list of those that have served.

George Hixson Award Winners
See those recognized as having exemplified a lifetime of service excellence.

Walter Zeller Fellows
The Kiwanis Club of Rock Island is proud to recognize its current members who are Walter Zeller Fellows. Zeller fellows are Kiwanis members who have invested their resources in the Kiwanis International Foundation for the long-term benefit of the children of our world.  These members are to be commended for the community generosity.

Chris Elsberg, Tom Hanson & Michael Swartz.