Kiwanis' family tree bears much fruit. From the Worldwide Service Project to virtually eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) to thousands of other service endeavors, Kiwanis-family members cultivate goodwill by annually logging millions of volunteer hours and raising tens of millions of dollars for their communities.

Kiwanians and other Kiwanis-family members don't volunteer their time to reap rewards. Their sole hope is that their work yields better communities in which to live. The family does take time to celebrate the harvest, though.

A series of observances scattered throughout the four seasons helps the Kiwanis family bring attention to its work and garner support for it.

The following is an overview of these observances.

Key Club International Week - When the Kiwanis International board proclaimed the first Key Club Week in 1950, it drew attention to the 25th anniversary of this successful program, which involved almost 16,700 high school students at that time. With membership today numbering about 200,000 teenagers in 20 countries, Key Club has grown into the world's largest high school service organization.

The scope of Key Club Week, likewise, has expanded. Observed the first full week of November, Key Club Week not only is a time for sponsoring Kiwanis clubs to recognize contributions Key Clubbers make to their communities but also for encouraging other members of the Kiwanis family to join them in their work.

The week is punctuated by "Service of Champions Day," on which Key Clubbers are encouraged to obtain monetary pledges for each hour of service performed. The funds collected are donated to local, participating hospitals as part of the Children's Miracle Network campaign.

Kiwanis International Foundation Week - Many a superhero has had a sidekick to assist in the quest for truth and justice. For Kiwanis International, that partner is the Kiwanis International Foundation (KIF), which contributed to its mission to serve the world. To celebrate this partnership, Kiwanis clubs are encouraged to commemorate KIF Week.

During KIF Week, the second week of November, clubs and individuals are encouraged to celebrate the programs and fund raising events that support the KIF's mission. Though the Annual Club Giving Campaign (Birthday Campaign) is the single largest KIF fund-raising activity, the Tablet of Honor, George F. Hixson Fellowship, and Kiwanis Fellow programs also greatly support KIF programs.

In addition, KIF Week celebrates the foundation's worldwide grants and financial assistance. Participation in KIF fund-raising allows for the distribution of funds to needy children's organizations and disaster relief worldwide, as well as assistance to Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club, and Kiwajunior.

National Farm-City Week - Despite the obvious differences between rural and urban dwellers, there are concerns affecting both groups. Addressing those concerns, as well as cultivating fellowship between farmers and municipal workers, is the focus of National Farm-City Week.

This observance occurs in November during the week ending on Thanksgiving Day. Its focus is to bring together people from rural and urban areas to nurture their relationships as partners in progress. Kiwanis teamed with the (US) National Farm-City Council in 1955 to proclaim the week official.

Worldwide Kiwanis Week - All close-knit families bond, and the Kiwanis Family is no exception. To make that bond even stronger, clubs observe Worldwide Kiwanis Week.

Celebrated during the full week that includes Jan. 21 - the anniversary date of the founding of Kiwanis International - Worldwide Kiwanis Week gives Kiwanians an opportunity to work closely together, whether by sharing ideas among clubs in different nations or working in concert with neighboring clubs on a joint project.

During this week, numerous Kiwanis Clubs initiate "twinning" projects, which, as the name implies, enable them to develop a greater understanding of one another and nurture friendships.

Circle K International Week - Circle K International (CKI) is one of the largest service organizations of its kind in the world. And each year during the first week of February, the more than 10,000 collegians comprising this branch of the Kiwanis family celebrate Circle K International Week.

Circle K'ers team up with their sponsoring Kiwanians, as well as Key Clubbers and Builders to bolster fellowship and raise awareness about the organization.

In addition to CKI Week, these service-oriented college students observe Community Service and Awareness Week during the first full week of November, culminating with International Service Day on the Saturday that closes the week.

K-Family Weekend - the Kiwanis Family looks forward to a weekend in February - any weekend will do - to observe K-Family Weekend, a time to refocus energies and rejoice in the good work its members do.

Established by Key Club International in 1979, K-Family Weekend's purpose is to strengthen ties between all members of the Kiwanis family and to celebrate the service they provide to their communities. Kiwanians join with Key Clubbers, Circle K'ers, and Builders in a variety of social activities and community projects.

Canada - United States Goodwill Week - On April 28, 1817, the United States and England signed the Rush-Bagot Agreement, which proclaimed fortifications along the Great Lakes, ensuring that the US-Canadian border always would be open and friendly. The week surrounding this date in Kiwanian circles is known as Canada-United States Goodwill Week.

During this observance, Kiwanians from Canada and the Us conduct interclub meetings, share information, and present special programs, all geared to create a better understanding between the two countries.

Global IDD Day - With the exception of a few holidays, there aren't too many days celebrated on Earth that carry the significance of Kiwanis Global IDD Day. Each year on the first Saturday in May, Kiwanians worldwide demonstrate their shared commitment to the worldwide Service project to virtually eliminate IDD.

Kiwanis-family members are encouraged to miss a meal during the week preceding Global IDD Day and contribute the money saved to the Worldwide Service Project. By fasting, Kiwanians, sponsored youth, their families, and the supporters demonstrate their unity and commitment t to serving the needs of children.

This special day also presents an excellent opportunity for clubs to participate by conducting fund-raisers in their communities.

Builders Club Week - Builders Club membership stands at an estimated 100,000 junior high and middle school students. More than 2,000 Builders Clubs exist in 10 nations of the world, with about 200 new clubs added each year.

With those sorts of numbers, it's only natural that a week - traditionally the first full week in May - would be set aside to recognize achievements of this sponsored program. The week is a great time to install new officers, induct new members and recognize contributions and assistance from sponsoring Kiwanis Clubs, adults, parents, teachers and students.

Kiwanis Prayer Week - There are benefits to pausing for thoughtful reflection and prayer. That's the basic premise behind Kiwanis Prayer Week, which occurs the second full week in May.

Typically during this week, Kiwanis clubs are hosts for such activities as prayer breakfasts and events that spotlight contributions to the spiritual welfare of their communities.

Family Day - Kiwanians emphasized the importance of family values long before it became fashionable and politically correct. This is why the organization has proclaimed the second Sunday of August as Family Day.

Established in 1968 by Kiwanis International and the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Family Day has three goals: to reaffirm the importance of family life and the vital role it plays in teaching basic values; to encourage loving interaction among family members; and to improve communication and understanding within the family.

Kiwanis Kids' Day - As a top priority among Kiwanians, young children are beneficiaries of hundreds of service projects and fund-raisers. It's no surprise, then, that Kiwanis have asset aside the fourth Saturday of each September as Kiwanis Kids' Day. To commemorate the day, Kiwanis clubs typically stage a variety of children-related activities and develop fund-raisers for worthy youth-related causes.