SAVE THE DATE!
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Rise & Shine with Kiwanis for Kids: Presented by W3 Financial Group—Building Leaders, One Child at a Time. Designed to support the Kiwanis mission of improving the world one child and one community at a time, our event will recognize distinguished Akron school educators, celebrate outstanding student and community supporters, and promote impactful youth service leadership clubs throughout Akron-area schools.

2025 Photo Gallery

three awards sitting on a table

Join us in recognizing our Award Recipients

Our awards are given to individuals and groups within the Akron community that have had a positive impact on area youth.

Steve Cataliano from W3 Financial poses with our 2025 Kiwanis grant recipients

In 2025, Over $12,000 in grants were awarded. Apply for yours.

Grant applications are being accepted until June 30 for our 2026 Breakfast. In 2025, we gave away $12,000 in grants. The 2025 grant recipients were: 

  • Steve Wise Boys and Girls Club
  • Akron Area YMCA
  • Embracing Futures
  • Tallmadge Challenger League. 

We are returning to The Akron Urban League

440 Vernon Odom Blvd, Akron, Ohio 44307

The 5th annual Rise & Shine with Kiwanis for Kids breakfast fundraiser will be held at The Akron Urban League. The Akron Urban League is committed to empowering communities and changing lives through advocacy, education, and economic development. It works tirelessly to create opportunities and remove barriers, ensuring everyone has the chance to succeed.

Breakfast provided by Kitchen 212

Kitchen 212 provided our breakfast at our 2025 event and we had so many compliments we had to have them back. Check them out at online

Why should you support Rise & Shine with Kiwanis for Kids?

Proceeds raised will be used to grow and maintain Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs (SLPs.) SLPs prepare people of all ages to be the most engaged members of their communities and provides them an opportunity to begin or continue a lifelong journey of service. SLPs are leadership and character-building programs hosted in a school and sponsored and supported by a Kiwanis club. The Foundation and Akron Club currently support the following SLP clubs: Builders Club, Key Club, and Aktion Club.

Our primary goal is to grow and maintain service leadership programs (Builders Clubs) for each public and private middle school in the Greater Akron area. A Builders Club—the largest service organization for middle school students ages 11 to 15—is designed to provide members with opportunities to perform service, build character, and develop leadership. The club is student led, operates under school regulations, and draws its members from the student body. When started at a young age, the service club experience prepares its members to become the most engaged members of their communities—now and in the future.

We know the transition from grade school to middle school can be tough for any adolescent boy or girl. Common challenges children face include dealing with social pressures, making new friends, communicating with teachers, confronting bullies, becoming a positive contributor, bouncing back from failure and disappointments, and learning about the world. With your help, our middle school-aged children will have access to programming and resources that will help them transition into confident young adults.

Children can continue in service leadership programs during the high school years by being members of a Key Club. Members around the world are learning how to lead and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. In partnership with our local Kiwanis Club, high school students are making a positive impact as they serve others in their schools and communities.