WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
Margaret J. Wheatley once said, “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” In the heart of Manatee County, the Bradenton Kiwanis Club has harnessed this power for change, weaving a legacy of care and connection for over a century. And among all the causes this service club cares about, children and families rank high.
The word “Kiwanis” comes from the Algonquian Native American language family and loosely translates to “we build.” Founded in 1915, Kiwanis is now a global organization operating in over 80 countries with about 445,000 members. Here, the local chapter’s 173 members live out its motto: “A better way of life, a better Bradenton.” This dedicated group pours its time, talent, and resources into making a lasting impact on this community, particularly for families. From building the first ADA-compliant playground in town to nurturing future leaders and investing in those with special needs, the club understands that to support a community, you must support the families who call it home.
Celebrating All Abilities
One notable program the club supports is the Aktion Club, the only service club for adults with disabilities worldwide, where members engage in meaningful service projects, community outreach, and fun outings. The group meets the last Wednesday of every month at the DeSoto Boys & Girls Club (5236 30th St W in Bradenton) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and caters to individuals aged 18 and up.
This year, the Aktion Club has been busy, connecting with their community while growing their leadership skills. They put on a Finding Nemo production, dedicating countless hours to memorizing lines and rehearsing scenes. They also manned a community outreach table at the Special Needs Fair, sharing information and resources with attendees to raise awareness about Aktion Club’s mission.
“Aktion Club is about creating connections,” says Jess Kruse, Co-Chair of the club and Kiwanis’s Executive Administrator. “We’re fostering a sense of belonging that’s often missing for people with disabilities.”
Service projects lie at the heart of the Aktion Club’s activities. From delivering Valentine’s Day cards to residents at the Westminster Point Pleasant Assisted Living facility to brightening their Halloween with a reverse trick-or-treating event, the club finds creative ways to spread smiles and share joy. It also plays a key part in supporting Bradenton Kiwanis’s sister club, the Kiwanis Club of Manatee River. Aktion Club members showed up to serve at Manatee River’s inaugural Family Festival earlier this year, where over 1,000 community members came together for fun activities. They also look forward to serving (and performing!) at next year’s Family Festival on April 4, 2025, during the Bradenton Marauders’ opening season game at LECOM Park. Participants can enjoy bounce houses, face painting, balloon artists, and a bike raffle co-sponsored by Bradenton Kiwanis and the Early Learning Coalition.
The club has countless reasons to be proud of their achievements, but this year, they have an extra one: their very own treasurer, Shannon McDonough, was recently honored as the Donna Batelaan Florida Aktion Club Member of the Year.
Beyond service projects and events, Aktion Club members love having fun together. They recently attended the Aktion Club Conference, where they connected with other clubs, shared ideas, and participated in leadership workshops. They’ve also enjoyed social outings, like visiting The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and sharing holiday cheer at their own Christmas party, complete with karaoke.
This sense of belonging extends to another Kiwanis initiative: the Celebration! Arts Troupe. Kiwanis recently created this program as an exciting offshoot for those with special needs aged eight to 99, with a focus on performing arts and mentorship. The group meets at the Manatee Performing Arts Center every 2nd and 4th Monday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“The goal is to bring together individuals of all ages and abilities, encouraging community-wide involvement,” explains Sharon Barhorst, Co-Chair of the Aktion Club. By bridging the gap between community resources and those with special needs, the Troupe provides a platform where every member can shine. One example is the December 7 performance at GT Bray, a night full of holiday spirit with their “A Night Before Christmas” production.
Programs like the Aktion Club and the Celebration! Arts Troupe not only build a sense of belonging for individuals with disabilities, but they also transform the way the community sees and includes them. “Our friends with special needs can seem like forgotten individuals in our community, but they have so much to offer,” Sharon adds. “Connecting them with opportunities to serve and perform is incredibly rewarding.”
Bradenton Kiwanis’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond these clubs and into the community. In August 2023, Bradenton Kiwanis was instrumental in establishing the first ADA-compliant playground at Tom Bennett Park, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has a place to play and make memories with their families.
Sowing the Seeds of Service
Bradenton Kiwanis understands that building a culture of service starts young. The club has made a long-term investment in Service Leadership Programs (SLPs) in local schools, including K-Kids at the elementary level, Builders Club for middle schoolers, and Key Club for high school students. These programs introduce students to the joys and responsibilities of community service while giving them a platform to develop leadership skills.
For students like Chad Cohen, Kiwanis’s leadership programs can be life-changing. Chad initially joined Key Club at Manatee High School reluctantly, but soon rose through the ranks to become Lieutenant Governor, overseeing 22 clubs. He later served as the Florida District Webmaster, managing the digital infrastructure for over 23,000 Key Club members across Florida, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
During his time in Key Club, Chad led several impactful projects, including a Meal Packing initiative that created 20,000 meals for hungry kids and a Ramen Noodle Food Drive that collected over 11,580 packs. He also helped make 4,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for people experiencing homelessness and put together over 350 wellness kits for those in need.
Now an active Kiwanis club member, Chad is helping to start a Key Club at Lakewood Ranch High School. His story highlights the profound impact that Kiwanis’s mentorship can have on young leaders.
More Than Just a Club
For many members, Bradenton Kiwanis is more than just a service club supporting families—it’s a family itself. Jess Kruse, who discovered the club’s merits at its 100-anniversary gala and then promptly joined, found the camaraderie and sense of purpose in Kiwanis to be transformative. “There’s a culture here that goes beyond volunteering,” she says. “It’s about being part of something bigger, something that truly makes a difference in the community.”
The club continues to grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of Bradenton families while staying true to its mission. To accommodate diverse lifestyles, Kiwanis offers a variety of membership options, including an “After Hours” group for young professionals and families who want to get involved but may not have time for regular lunch meetings. Every Tuesday at lunchtime, members meet at Kiwanis Hall on the second floor of the Manatee Performing Arts Center to plan upcoming projects, hear from guest speakers, and brainstorm new ways to serve the community.
Get Involved
Whether creating spaces where all kids can play or empowering the next generation of leaders, the Bradenton Kiwanis Club demonstrates that a community thrives when families are supported.
Interested in joining the Bradenton Kiwanis Club? Visit www.bradentonkiwanis.org or email Sharon Barhorst at sharonb.bradentonkiwanis@gmail.com to learn more. As Kiwanis International strives to live its motto of “Serving the Children of the World,” your involvement in this local club will have a lasting positive impact on the families in our community. Together, let’s build a better Bradenton!
