Our work
Members raise the money and then show up in person. Here's where that time goes.
Take a Kid Fishing
Our largest service project of the year, in participants, scope, and cost. Every March, special needs students from Sunset Elementary and other area schools spend a day at Mirror Lake in Hart Park.
- Every student is guaranteed to catch at least one fish, and most catch more
- Volunteers clean, tag, and bag each catch so kids can take it home
- Members grill hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch
With Kern County Parks & Recreation, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.
Volunteer at the lake
We need hands for baiting hooks, netting fish, cleaning the catch, and running the grill. No fishing experience needed.
Sign up to help
Our 2025–26 year in service
Side by side with the youth clubs we sponsor, as reported to the Division 33 Bulletin.
Meeting essential needs
Healthy Harvest at Bear Mountain Elementary, the "Thanks for Giving" food drive, and the Ronald McDonald House Walk for Kids.
Community traditions
The Bakersfield Veterans Day Parade, Salvation Army bell ringing, and decorating a Rose Parade float.
Outdoors
Adopt-a-Road cleanups and the relaunch of Take a Kid Fishing.
Young leaders
KIWIN'S, K-Kids, and Builders Club members serving alongside us all year.
Project Easter Basket
Members assemble Easter baskets from donated items and Foundation funds, then deliver them to children in need through local shelters and outreach programs.
Want to donate items or help assemble? Get in touch.
2026 partner: The Dream Center
Each year Kern Kiwanis picks one community partner to focus on. In 2026 it's The Dream Center, Kern County's only one-stop resource center for current and former foster youth up to age 25. Its name was chosen by the founding foster youth who helped design its services.
We're delivering items from its wish list (socks, t-shirts, snacks, water bottles, utensils, and household goods) and volunteering our time.
Thank you to this year's sponsors, including Cope's and the Bakersfield Fire Department.
Reading Oasis at Friendship House
With community partners and Scholastic, Inc., we're building a reading space where the children of Friendship House can discover books and explore a world of learning and adventure. It's funded through community fundraising and grants.
Service Leadership Programs
Kiwanis sponsors student-led service clubs so kids learn to lead by serving. Ours span elementary school through high school.
KIWIN'S (high school)
Our district's high school service club. We sponsor and mentor chapters at:
K-Kids & Builders Club
K-Kids at Bear Mountain Elementary brings service projects to younger students. Builders Club in Arvin does the same for middle-schoolers.
Ask us about Kiwanis scholarships.
Lend a hand
You don't have to be a member to volunteer at a project. Tell us what you'd like to help with.