At the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach, we believe that a love of reading can change a child’s future. Each book holds a new world, a fresh idea, and a chance to dream big. That is why one of our favorite community projects focuses on bringing books directly into the hands of local students through our book vending machine initiative. This fall, we are proud to continue expanding literacy across the Grand Strand by placing another book vending machine in a Myrtle Beach school. This will be our fourth machine  in the area, and with each installation, we are seeing firsthand how small acts of generosity create lasting opportunities for learning and growth. Turning Pages into Possibilities A book vending machine may look like a simple idea, but its impact is powerful. Each brightly colored machine is stocked with books chosen for young readers at different grade levels. Students earn tokens through positive behavior programs, attendance achievements, or classroom goals. Instead of a candy bar or toy, they get to “buy” a book and take it home to keep. This simple concept promotes literacy, rewards learning, and builds pride in reading. Teachers tell us the excitement on a child’s face when they earn a token is unforgettable. Parents share that their kids are reading more at home. And schools love that this project supports positive behavior while building lifelong learners. A Community Effort The success of the book vending machine program depends on community support. Every book, machine, and refill is made possible through partnerships with local sponsors, generous donors, and dedicated Kiwanis members. Our members work with school administrators to identify the best locations, coordinate installation, and help stock the machines throughout the year. Local businesses often step in to sponsor new machines or contribute books, helping us reach even more students in Horry County and beyond. It takes a village to raise a reader, and Myrtle Beach continues to prove that when we come together, kids win. Why Literacy Matters Strong literacy skills open doors to better education, confidence, and opportunity. For many students, especially those in early grades, access to books at home can be limited. By offering a fun, rewarding way to build personal libraries, Kiwanis is helping bridge that gap. When a child gets to choose their own book, it is more than a reading reward. It is empowerment, encouragement, and the start of a lifelong love of learning. Join Us in Building Bright Futures The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach is passionate about projects that serve children and strengthen our community. You can help us continue this mission by donating, sponsoring a vending machine, or becoming a member. Every contribution supports programs that make a real difference for local kids. Visit www.kiwanismyrtlebeach.com to learn more about how you can help us inspire young readers and create brighter futures in Myrtle Beach.

Win for the Kids: A Myrtle Beach Raffle That Gives Back Get ready for your chance to win big while making a real impact in the lives of children right here in Myrtle Beach. The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach is proud to present our 2026 Win for the Kids Raffle, a meaningful fundraiser with prizes you’ll love and a cause you’ll feel good about supporting. Key Details: Raffle Drawing Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM Location: Drawn live at our Kiwanis meeting and posted publicly on our website and social media Tickets Available: Only 400 total Online Ticket Sales: January–April 14, 2026 Ticket Price: $50 each Grand Prize: $3,000 cash!  Why Enter the Win for the Kids Raffle? When you purchase a raffle ticket, you’re doing more than entering to win a prize—you’re directly supporting the Kiwanis Club’s work with children and families throughout the Grand Strand. Proceeds from this raffle help fund service projects that: Provide books and literacy tools to local schools Sponsor student leadership programs like Terrific Kids and Aktion Club Supply meals, gifts, and essentials for families during the holidays Support critical needs identified by teachers, counselors, and community partners Every ticket helps us continue this mission.  Prizes You’ll Love Our raffle prizes are designed to get you excited, with a cash grand prize that makes a real splash. Plus, additional prizes donated by local businesses mean you have more chances to win while also supporting the people and places that make Myrtle Beach great. How to Get Tickets Tickets will be available through Kiwanis Club members or directly online via Zeffy. Online sales will close on April 14, 2026 so we can prepare for our live drawing. Only 100 tickets (numbers #301–400) are available online, so don't wait! 👉 Reserve your ticket starting in January ! Support Local. Make a Difference. This raffle isn’t just about winning a prize - it’s about investing in the future of our kids and our community. When we come together with generosity and purpose, great things happen. We hope you’ll join us this spring as we raise funds, raise hope, and raise the bar for what it means to serve Myrtle Beach. Let’s win for the kids...together.

The holiday season is almost here and that means it’s time for the Festival of Wreaths! From November 13–16, 2025, the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach will showcase 50 beautifully decorated wreaths during the 44th Annual Dickens Christmas Show & Festivals at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Support Through Donations Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, all 50 wreaths are now secured and will be beautifully decorated for display and bidding. This year, we’re inviting individuals, businesses, and community partners to support the Festival of Wreaths in another meaningful way: make a direct donation to Kiwanis youth programs or provide gift certificates in increments of $25, $50, or $100 that can be included as part of the wreath auction experience. Your contribution helps us maximize the impact of this event and ensures that every bid placed at Dickens translates directly into opportunities for children and families in need. Visit & Bid at Dickens Come stroll through the Dickens Christmas Festival and experience the magic of the season. Browse the wreaths, place your bids, and take home a one-of-a-kind holiday decoration—all while supporting our local youth. Location: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 N. Oak St.Dates: November 13–16, 2025 Why It Matters Every wreath bid, donation, and gift certificate fuels the programs and initiatives the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach provides for children and families across the Grand Strand. Together, we can bring holiday cheer and make a lasting impact. Donate, bid, and celebrate the season with us at the Festival of Wreaths!

Fall along the Grand Strand means more than cooler weather and colorful leaves. It is a season filled with community traditions, family fun, and opportunities to give back. At the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach, October is a time when service and celebration go hand in hand. Between pumpkins, pancakes, and partnerships, fall reminds us why we love coming together to serve children and strengthen our community. 🎃 Pumpkins: A Season of Smiles Nothing says fall like pumpkins on porches and jack-o’-lanterns glowing at dusk. But beyond the decorations, pumpkins represent something bigger: joy, creativity, and togetherness. That is why our Kiwanis members love supporting local fall festivals and Halloween events. Each pumpkin carved or costume worn is a reminder that kids deserve safe, fun experiences and that our role as a community is to make those memories possible. 🥞 Pancakes: Fellowship with Flavor No fall season is complete without our Kiwanis pancake traditions. Pancake breakfasts have long been a favorite fundraiser, combining the comfort of a warm meal with the joy of seeing neighbors gather around the table. Every plate served supports our mission of helping children, whether it is through literacy programs, scholarships, or youth leadership initiatives. Pancakes bring people together, and when people come together, amazing things happen. 🤝 Partnerships: Strengthening Community Impact Behind every successful Kiwanis event are the businesses, schools, and community partners who step up to lend their support. From sponsoring youth programs to donating supplies for local projects, our partners are at the heart of what we do. These connections remind us that service is not a solo act. It is a community effort. Partnerships ensure that our impact goes further, reaching more children and families right here in Myrtle Beach. 🍂 Why It Matters Pumpkins, pancakes, and partnerships may sound simple, but together they reflect the essence of Kiwanis. We celebrate traditions that make people smile, share meals that bring people together, and build relationships that strengthen our community. As we head deeper into fall, we invite you to join us in these traditions because when we serve, kids win.

At the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach, service isn’t just something we do — it’s a way we build community. While many know Kiwanis for our youth-focused programs, we’re equally proud of our support for adults with disabilities through our Aktion Club initiative. What Is Aktion Club? Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, and it’s supported by Kiwanis International. Designed to foster leadership, service, and inclusion, Aktion Clubs give members the opportunity to give back to their communities in meaningful ways — while also building confidence, relationships, and personal development. In Myrtle Beach, our Aktion Club meets regularly to participate in community projects, support local nonprofits, and learn valuable life and leadership skills. It’s a space where members are recognized for their abilities, not defined by their limitations. Aktion Club in Myrtle Beach: Local Impact, Real Results Our local Aktion Club meets monthly, and the September meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 26 at 1:00 PM  at the Low Country Food Bank . These gatherings are more than just meetings — they are moments of connection, purpose, and shared accomplishment. Each meeting includes opportunities for members to: Plan and participate in service projects Develop public speaking and leadership skills Collaborate with Kiwanis mentors and volunteers Build lasting friendships and confidence Whether packing food for families in need, supporting seasonal drives, or writing thank-you notes for local heroes, Aktion Club members are showing every day what it means to serve with heart. Why It Matters Adults with disabilities often face barriers to community involvement — but the Kiwanis Aktion Club opens the door to meaningful participation and visibility. Through Aktion Club, members discover their voice, their talents, and the power of giving back. The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach is proud to support a program that aligns so closely with our mission of service, inclusion, and community engagement. It’s all about creating opportunities for every person to shine — and to make Myrtle Beach stronger through connection. Get Involved Want to support the Aktion Club? Here are a few ways to help: Volunteer : Join us at a monthly meeting or service event to connect with members and see the impact firsthand. Donate : Help fund supplies, transportation, and materials that keep our club thriving. Partner : Are you a local business or nonprofit that would like to work with Aktion Club members on a community project? We’d love to hear from you. Spread the Word : Share this blog with friends, family, or colleagues to raise awareness about the incredible work Aktion Club is doing in Myrtle Beach. To learn more about the Myrtle Beach Aktion Club, or to get involved, contact Dave Dickson at [insert preferred contact info if available], or visit   www.kiwanismyrtlebeach.com . The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach believes that everyone has the power to lead, serve, and make a difference. Our Aktion Club is proof that when communities are inclusive, everyone wins. Because no matter your age or ability, there’s always room to make an impact

As August arrives, families across Horry County and Myrtle Beach are preparing for a new school year. From school supply shopping to getting back into routines, this time of year can be both exciting and overwhelming. For many local kids, the back-to-school season also comes with challenges — including limited access to school supplies, books, or even reliable meals. That’s where the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach steps in. Supporting Students Where It Matters Most At Kiwanis, we believe every child deserves the tools and opportunities to thrive. That’s why our club is proud to support programs that make a real difference in classrooms and homes right here in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. One of our signature initiatives is installing book vending machines in local Title I schools and the Horry County Adult Education Center. These machines turn reading into a reward, giving children access to books they can keep and treasure. For students who may not have many books at home, this is more than a fun experience — it’s a chance to build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Feeding Bodies and Fueling Minds Back-to-school season also means making sure kids are ready to learn. Hunger can be one of the biggest barriers to success in school, and the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach partners with programs like Backpack Buddies and local snack drives to help ensure no child goes without. By providing consistent, healthy snacks, we help kids stay focused in the classroom and energized for after-school activities. When families in our community don’t have to worry about where their child’s next meal is coming from, it allows students to show up to school ready to grow, learn, and thrive. Teaming Up With Community Partners We’re not doing this work alone. Our partnerships with organizations such as Sea Haven, SOS Care, and the Grand Strand Humane Society strengthen our ability to meet local needs. Together, we make an even greater impact on Myrtle Beach children and families — because when the community works as one, we all win. These collaborations not only expand our reach but also give kids access to wraparound support that helps them feel seen and supported in every part of their lives. How You Can Help Want to get involved with the Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach this back-to-school season? There are plenty of ways to make an impact: Attend a meeting: We meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 12 PM at Logan’s Roadhouse, 136 Oak Forest Ln. Volunteer: Join us for service projects like book distributions, snack pack drives, or literacy days. Donate: Every contribution helps us fund initiatives like school book vending machines and youth support programs. Join the club: Membership means becoming part of a community that believes in serving children and creating brighter futures. Learn more at   kiwanismyrtlebeach.com Contact us at (843) 503-3813 Back-to-School Is Always About the Kids At the end of the day, the back-to-school season is about more than supplies and schedules — it’s about making sure every child feels prepared, supported, and valued. The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach is proud to stand behind our local students, one backpack, one snack pack, and one book at a time. Because for us, it’s always all about the kids. 💛

Every Bite Makes a Difference — All Month Long The Kiwanis Club of Myrtle Beach is proud to partner with Eggs Up Grill  for a special month-long fundraiser during June! When you dine at Eggs Up Grill located at 1289 38th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC this month, a portion of your meal goes directly toward our youth programs — including book donations, scholarships, seasonal drives, and our Aktion Club for adults with disabilities. How You Can Help: Visit  Eggs Up Grill at 1289 38th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC anytime in June Mention Kiwanis  when you order Share  this with friends, coworkers, and family Your breakfast, brunch, or lunch helps us continue our mission to serve the children of the world — starting right here in Horry County. Together, we can turn pancakes into purpose! 📍 Eggs Up Grill Location: 1289 38th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach, SC 📅 When:  The entire month of June 💛 Why It Matters: Funds raised through this event help us: Support book vending machines in local Title I schools Organize donation drives and literacy programs Fund our Aktion Club’s inclusive service projects Come hungry and leave knowing you made an impact. 👉 Learn more about our work at kiwanismyrtlebeach.com