EVENTS
The Kiwanis Club of Houston sponsors several major charity events each year. Members have the opportunity to participate both in planning and participating in the event, as well as selecting the recipients and helping with the fund raising. The Kiwanis Foundation of Houston shares the proceeds of these events with targeted charities that partner with the Kiwanis Club to bring the events to life on behalf of both needy and talented children in the greater Houston area.
The Camp For All Hilltop Ride is an annual charity bicycle ride sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Houston on the first weekend in April staged out of the Camp For All facility near Brenham, Texas. The ride has optional distances of 22, 44, 66 and 88 miles and is a segment of the MS 150 training ride sequence. Kiwanis members plan the event with the Camp For All staff, and provide the volunteer labor for rest stops, SAG vehicles, lunch provision, logistics and communications. It is one of the best rides on the Texas calendar for organization, rest stop quality and the beautiful scenery along the rolling hills south of Lake Somerville with the bluebonnets and other wildflowers popping out all across the route. Camp For All provides a camp experience to children with disabilities of all kinds, both physical and mental, and is a model for support camps across the US.
The George H.W. Bush Sports Hero Award Gala is a charity dinner honoring local high school and college athletes who exhibit leadership skills, charitable activities, a general sense of caring for the community, academic prowess, and of course, exceptional ability on the field of play. The event is co-sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Houston, the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Texans Foundation, and many other notable business and civic organizations. Former President Bush (41) attends in person or by video to help honor the candidates, who receive college scholarships from the event. Numerous local leaders and sports personalities turn out for the event. Proceeds from the event are distributed through The Kiwanis Foundation of Houston and The Readers Are Leaders Foundation to local charities that promote scholarship and leadership principles in young people.
The International Executive of the Year is an annual event sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Houston and the Greater Houston Partnership to honor local businessmen and businesswomen who have exhibited leadership in advancing international trade and development on behalf of the Houston area. Recipients have included the leaders from Continental Airlines, Wedge Group, Stewart & Stevenson, and Metro Bank. Attending the event each year to present the award are the Mayor of Houston and the Harris County Judge. Houston also boasts a consular corps representing 80 countries, many of whom attend the event and are recognized for their contribution to the development of trade and their impact on the rich cultural fabric of the Houston area.
The Jingle Bell Express is a citywide event that the Kiwanis Club of Houston participates in each year during the holiday season. Teaming up with members of the UH Sigma Chi chapter, Kiwanians move truckloads of gifts, toys and food from warehouses to the distribution points just in time to help Santa reach thousands of families across the Houston area.
In addition to these annual public events, the Club hosts a holiday party, a spring picnic, tennis and golf tournaments and a number of smaller charity driven events for one of the twenty plus charities that are supported by the Kiwanis Foundation of Houston.