The newly chartered Kiwanis Club of Ridgefield/La Center is set to make a difference in the lives of local children and families and marks the sixth chapter in Clark County.
The group of volunteers aims to unite the two communities through service and leadership programs with a focus on children’s education and welfare.
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International’s mission is to enrich and improve the lives of children and their communities through volunteering and special programs.
“Kiwanis is really a service organization that primarily focuses on children and children in need,” chapter President Jason Hair said. “Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child in one community at a time.”
The idea to form the new chapter originated with southwest Washington Kiwanis Division Lt. Gov. Carol Taylor, a local Kiwanis veteran who saw an opportunity to bring both Ridgefield and La Center communities together.
“This was really Carol’s brainchild,” Hair said. “She envisioned the club as a way to fill gaps in support for children and families in Ridgefield and La Center.”
Taylor first began working on the project before the COVID-19 pandemic but had to pause efforts due to logistical challenges.
“Prior to COVID, I tried to get it started again, but you know what it was like at the start of COVID,” Taylor said. “So, I dropped the idea for a while, and then Kiwanis International identified Ridgefield as a place of growth that could benefit from Kiwanis Club because of our children’s programs in schools ... I contacted the person leading that effort and got involved in organizing.”
The club officially chartered in August 2024 after months of planning, recruiting members and establishing its nonprofit status. It now boasts approximately 20 members, evenly split between the two cities. The members have already identified local programs to support in the future, including school leadership initiatives and partnerships with the Ridgefield Family Resource Center and the YMCA.
The new local chapter’s primary mission is to support children’s education and leadership development. Members plan to establish key clubs in high schools and builders clubs in middle schools, programs designed to cultivate leadership skills and community involvement in young people. Kiwanis members act as advisers for the student-led version of Kiwanis. Another program Kiwanis maintains is “Bring Up Grades,” an incentive program rewarding elementary school students for improving their test scores.
“Kids need support. With COVID and learning from home, they have lost a lot of ground in their education, and so anything we can do to help bring that up again and build self-confidence and self-reliance [helps],” Kiwanis Club Opener Specialist Val Arbacauskas said.
The club also plans to partner with and volunteer for YMCA programs. Its Picnic in the Park program ensures children who lose access to free lunches during the summer have a place to eat.
Hair said a goal for the club is to establish student-led programs in every school in both cities.
“We want to spearhead our own events that will help our community, whether it’s more literacy programs, funding books or feeding children in need,” Hair said. “The goal would be to have a leadership program in every school — elementary, junior high and high school — down the road.”
Charter night celebration
The club will host a charter night celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at La Center Church, 111 E. Fifth St. This event represents a milestone for the group, as members and community leaders gather to celebrate the club’s official formation. Attendees will enjoy a Greek-themed dinner, featuring oven-roasted chicken breast topped with kalamata artichoke heart tapenade or pan-seared tempeh with lemon oregano potatoes and a Mediterranean garden salad. Tickets cost $35 through https://bit.ly/4ai PaOA. A vegan option is available.
In addition to the dinner, the event will begin with a social hour and a silent auction and raffles to raise funds for the club’s upcoming projects.
