Club Projects

The Dawn Busters Kiwanis Club participates in a variety of projects throughout the year that involve fundraising, community service, and assisting children locally and worldwide.  Additionally, we have speakers at our weekly meetings to explore topics of interest to the membership. We engage in a number of social activities to share experiences, talents and our collective interests. All represent great opportunities for service, friendships and personal growth.

Here are a few of the many community service projects we do every year:

Rewards for Reading Program 

Committee Chair – Mel Dussel, 504-454-8397~

The Kiwanis Rewards for Reading Program is an innovative and successful approach to encourage children to read more books and improve reading comprehension skills. It is fun and it works!

Since 2006 the Dawn Busters Kiwanis have partnered with Jefferson Parish Schools to provide incentives for the children to read.  

The basic concept is simple: The children read a book, take a test to demonstrate that they comprehended it, if they pass they get a ticket that goes into a drawing for prizes. The more books they read and pass a test on the more chances they have to win.

Read more

Thanks to our many sponsors and everyone who helped make each event spectacular!

Feeding the homeless at Lantern Light

Committee Chair – Butch Diaz, 504-813-7504

~ Every Monday we provide and serve hot meals to the homeless.  Every month we buy, pick up, serve up and hand out 1,000 hot lunches. Located behind St. Joseph’s Church on Tulane in New Orleans, we have provided over 50,000 hot meals to men, women and children in need.​

Sunny Bear Project

Committee Chair – Sal LaRock, 504-452-0658 

~ The Dawn Busters has an amazing ongoing Sunny Bear Project in which the sewing ‘team’ from Metairie Manor creates dolls to donate to people in need. These include the elderly, people that are sick or hurting, and special needs students within the Jefferson Parish school system.

Ronald McDonald House

Committee Chair – Sonny Romero, 504-259-4630

~ Once a month we prepare and serve meals to the families there in need.

Helping Flood Victims

Ozanam Inn

We serve lunch to the homeless the fourth Friday of every month and do other projects throughout the year including the Christmas Toy Drive.

Bingo for the elderly at Metairie Manor

Committee Chair – Barbara Hebert

Crescent City Classic

A’s & Aces

Magnolia Community Gala

Trees of Hope

Boo @ the Zoo

Wheelchair Ramps            

Head Start – Read to a Child Program

Patricia F. Taylor School Gala

And much, much more!