Kiwanis Club of Birmingham's Award-Winning Literacy Program Earns Global Recognition

A Birmingham-based organization dedicated to community service, particularly for children, has achieved a prestigious international accolade for its 2025 initiative aimed at fostering literacy among youth. This award signifies a historic achievement for the organization.The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, established in 1917, holds the title of the largest Kiwanians club globally. Members generously invest over a million dollars each year to enhance the welfare of Birmingham’s children, contributing hundreds of hours to various initiatives. Their notable projects include relocating Vulcan to Red Mountain and enhancing Vulcan Park and Museum’s lighting.The Kiwanis Reads program, which has successfully promoted preschool literacy, secured the Kiwanis International 2025 Signature Project award. Out of 519 submitted projects, which included significant healthcare efforts, Kiwanis Reads stood out.At the Kiwanis International Convention in Pittsburgh, the award was accepted by Birmingham Club President Andrew Nix and Executive Director Honora Gathings, alongside a grant for program expansion. Over four years, Kiwanis Reads has provided thousands of children with books, building both school and home libraries. This year’s grant allowed the project to extend to ten additional schools, doubling its reach. The club also revived the “Books Not Bullets” initiative with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, equipping officers with books...