The first Kiwanis club was organized in Detroit, MI, and received a charter from the state of Michigan on Jan. 21, 1915.

The group began as a small network of local businessmen who referred clients to each other’s businesses. As the network grew, the members started to focus on not only themselves, but the needs of the community as well.

                              
                             Russell Ward, above, was elected the first 
                             president of the Michigan Kiwanis club in 1918.