At the beginning, the club held their weekly meetings on Tuesday nights at the Oyster House in Belfair and board meetings were held on the first Tuesday of the month at the fire hall.   Over the years, meetings were also held at the Belfair Café, Belfair Barn, Allyn Inn, and the Belfair Community Baptist Church, to name a few. 

During the club’s first year, they purchased plaques to honor the outstanding high school senior boy and girl for their participation in activities over a four-year period.  Other activities that they participated in consisted of sponsoring  dances and donating all the proceeds to youth activities.  The club worked on a paper collection program and four tons of paper were sent to Port Townsend. This project continued to be a good source of revenue for many years. Youth baseball and basketball programs were organized and funded, weightlifting equipment was purchased and weight training and judo classes were conducted for boys and girls. 

In October of 1963, the club worked for five years to obtain a lease on a 40-acre tract of land to be used as a rifle range and recreational area.  They also planned to use the land for  Christmas tree planting and harvesting. But the interest waned and the land was returned to the State.  A committee was formed to work on the development of the Belfair State Park.  The club continued to investigate the feasibility of having a bank in the Belfair area.

In 1969 the club began work on the Camp Oak Patch project.  The club contributed funds and equipment for this worthwhile project which benefitted retarded adults.  By 1970, the club’s main activities focused on kids. 

Noteworthy Community Projects:

•              Participation in the Kiwanis Air Fair at Bremerton Airport in conjunction with the Bremerton Kiwanis Club.  The Thunderbirds made their appearance in the 1981 air fair.

•              In the early1970s our club sponsored an annual Christmas party for our senior citizens, and it continues today.  Over the years, contributions from the North Mason High School Choral Group, Cub Scouts, and Builders Club have made this occasion a very special tradition. Gifts are provided by local merchants.

•              In 1972, our club initiated the North Mason High School Tennis Bang Board Project. All club members were involved in the project which was funded with the paper drive proceeds.  The Bang Board offered an area 100 feet long and is used by citizens, students, PE classes and tennis players.

•              In 1974, a fund raising drive was started for procurement of a patrol and rescue boat for the Sheriff’s department to conduct lifesaving or body search and recovery operations.  The boat was estimated to cost $7,250.  The drive was completed in May 1975 and our club turned over a 19 foot glass ply boat to a very grateful Sheriff’s office.

•              Club member, Ralph Lackey, was elected to serve as Lt. Governor of our Division 36 for the October 1977-1978 term.  He was the first club member to serve in this capacity.

•              In 1979, our club took on the H.O.S.T.S. (Help One Student To Succeed) Project at the Belfair Elementary School.  A large number of students were behind in their reading abilities and the school district asked for our help.  Our club responded and each student got thirty minutes of one-on-one tutoring each day with a different adult tutor.  The success of this project proved far beyond anyone’s expectations and was lauded a total success by the school, the club and the local community.  This program continued for many, many years.

•              In 1981-1982, club members made and installed the entrance signs to the North Mason School Campus.  The club raised funds and gathered materials donated by Shelton Structures, Inc., Simpson Lumber Company, Zephyr Body Shop and Towing and Frank Jolley.  Funds were raised by auto parts and supplies swap meets, yard sales and donations.

•              In December 1981, our club helped the Chamber of Commerce decorate the Community Christmas Tree.  This tradition continues today in partnership with the Lions Club.

•              During 1982-1983, our club joined with five other Kiwanis clubs in Division 36 and purchased a van for transporting handicapped people to local Special Olympics. A car raffle was held to pay for the van. 

•              In 1983, the groundwork was laid for a concession stand at the North Mason High School football games.  The concession stand continues to be one of our main projects and fundraisers to this day.  Thirty percent of the proceeds are contributed to the Associated Student Body Club.

•              The club has awarded scholarships to qualifying North Mason High School graduates since 1983, and in 2001 they established a scholarship trust fund with an endowment of $10,000.

•              A dinner theatre was sponsored in 1983.  The play they put on was Music Man, preceded by a dinner prepared and served by Kiwanians.  More than 100 persons were served and the club netted $500 which was used to award one scholarship to a North Mason High School senior.  The subsequent dinner theatres were very profitable and one of our main fund raisers for scholarships.

•              Natural Helpers, a teenage suicide prevention project, was started in 1984.  Thirty persons (students, teachers and community leaders) were trained in communication skills, decision-making, self-assessment and resources to go to for help.  Natural Helpers assisted other students with their personal growth, decision-making and where to get professional resources when needed.  This program had a positive effect on youth in our area for many years.  This program continued until 1999 when it was replaced by Link Crew.

•              June of 1987 saw the beginning of our Kiwanis Garage Sales.  Initially the garage sales were held at the South Shore Auto Glass. Later they moved to Don LePere’s location on State Highway 3, across from the Belfair Elementary School.  This is one of our major fundraisers for our high school scholarship awards.

•              Kiwanis International began as a men-only organization.  But all that changed in  1987 as we  saw the entrance of women to the Kiwanis organization.  Nona Reynolds was our first female member inducted in December 1987, followed by Marie Pickel in February 1988.  Linda Thomson was our first female president during 1995-1996.

•              A Parenting Education Bulletin was a project organized by Young Children Priority One which is geared to children through age 5.  A series of seven bulletins were written as a guideline for parents on a number of topics regarding relationships between parents and children.  Subjects covered included discipline, communication, abuse, behavior, respect, love and shaking baby.   This bulletin was distributed to 1700 people – one each week for seven weeks – along with the school newsletter.

•              A Kiwanis Builders Club was founded at Hawkins Middle School and their charter night was held on April 21, 1998.

•              The groundwork was set in place for a Key Club at North Mason High School.  They received their charter in October 2002.

• The groundwork is currently being set in place for a K-Kids Club and Bring Up Grades (BUG) program at Belfair Elementary School.  Discussions with school personnel at Sandhill Elementary to begin these programs are also underway.

Kiwanis International History (PDF)