Kiwanis Clubs in Bermuda celebrate the organisation's 95th anniversary this week.

In keeping with their motto 'make time to make a difference', members will consider how they can continue to help others.

"In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Kiwanis, in partnership with UNICEF Canada, has through its Kiwanis International Foundation and Kiwanis Foundation of Canada, committed to match funds donated by its clubs and members worldwide," said Scarlett Pottinger. "Kiwanis Clubs of Bermuda will be supporting this cause to help fellow Kiwanians in Haiti serve its community."

Ms Pottinger is Lieutenant Governor of Division 26 (Bermuda). The Bermuda organisation is part of the New England District of Kiwanis International,

"Kiwanis Clubs around the world conducted [their] first Kiwanis worldwide service project in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund and has reached [their] goal of raising more than $75 million to assist nations in eliminating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the leading preventable cause of mental retardation in the world today.

"As Kiwanis International marks its 95th anniversary, Kiwanis funds are now at work in almost 100 nations, and UNICEF estimates that Kiwanis-funded IDD programmes are protecting more than 90 million newborn children from diminished mental skills each year and is one of the greatest public health accomplishments in the last decade."

Anniversary celebrations began Sunday for the Island's three clubs Hamilton, Sandys and St. George's and will continue through Saturday.

"Individual clubs will mark this week in service to the community at The Sunshine League, a dinner meeting with guest speaker the Worshipful Kenneth L. Bascome, J.P. the Mayor, of St. George's, and a training session for members," Miss Pottinger said.

The first Kiwanis club was chartered on January 21, 1915 in Detroit, Michigan. Today Kiwanis has over 600,000 members men, women, boys and girls worldwide. A total of 15,000 clubs operate in 90 nations.

"Kiwanis clubs sponsor community service projects and raise funds to meet local needs with a special focus on children so they can create life-changing moments," Ms Pottinger said.

"Kiwanis members have been tirelessly serving the Bermuda community since 1971, and now sponsors Kiwanis service leadership programmes Key Clubs, Builder's Clubs, and K-Kids Clubs in schools across the Island.

"Kiwanis embraces the changing needs of all volunteers, women, men, seniors and young people, and welcomes all that are passionate about civic engagements to join as members."

Persons interested in joining may contact Ms Pottinger on 296-0659 or on e-mail spottingernorthrock.bm; Leleath Bailey at lbaileylogic.bm (Hamilton); Dawnett Walker at dawnettwalkeryahoo.com (St. George's); Barbara Lewis Mills at blewismillsnorthrock.bm (Sandys).