Worthington Early Risers Kiwanis club has a heart for helping

Editor's Note: This article is part of a summer series focusing on local community nonprofits, what they do and how to get involved. Early Risers Kiwanis of Worthington is the next in this series. 

WORTHINGTON — Sometimes Clair Williams can be seen sitting at Chautauqua Park in Worthington watching kids play.

As president of Worthington’s Early Risers Kiwanis Club, Williams, 86, finds great satisfaction in seeing the all-inclusive playground put to use.

“It’s just seeing the kids come out and have a good time. They’re enjoying themselves,” Williams said. “And anybody, whether you have a disability or not, you’re able to go and play there.”

Williams was treasurer of the club in 2022 when the playground was built. He said between 90% and 95% of the funds came from within 20 miles of Worthington. The club has since added an all-inclusive fishing dock to the park.

Since 1968, the Worthington Early Risers Kiwanis Club has met at 6:30 a.m. Thursday mornings. Free breakfast is served for the 27 members (one of whom was part of the original 1968 club), and they hear from a community speaker each week on events taking place around Worthington.

One speaker recently told the club about her efforts to help flood victims. Others have reported on the use of Kiwanis funds.

Ultimately, the mission of the Early Risers is “serving the children of the world.” This is done with the help of fundraisers like the annual Grocery Dash, and activities for or that benefit children, such as pumpkin painting and picking up trash in city playgrounds.

Perhaps the most influential support the Early Risers give is helping deliver bagged food through Every Meal to schools for students in need.

The Early Risers also support the K-Kids club at Worthington Intermediate School. Fourth graders recently helped raise money for Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

They take part in their own meetings, learning parliamentary procedure with an Early Risers member advising the group.

“If we sponsor a club, we need to be actively involved in that club,” Williams said.

His favorite part of being a member since 1991 has been the “satisfaction of helping” which prompted him to join when he worked for a natural gas company and gave presentations to the Early Risers.

In a community which Williams has lived in his whole life, he’s been able to develop many new friendships.

“When you work with these members of the club, you develop close friendships,” Williams said. “It’s very rewarding.”

The group is always open to new members, who can contact the club by showing up at a meeting, contacting a member, or visiting the club’s website at https://k06434.site.kiwanis.org/

Meetings begin at 6:45 a.m. every Thursday at the Center for Active Living, 211 11th St., Worthington. Contact Clair Williams at (507) 360-5955 for more information or to join.