Shelby-Macomb Kiwanis in Need of Hands to Keep Up with Heart

The Shelby Macomb Daybreakers Kiwanis Club is living proof that with enough heart, anything is possible.

Though its membership can be counted on one hand, the people touched by the Daybreakers' efforts each year number in the thousands.

In just the next few months, the Daybreakers will participate in more than 10 fundraisers and events, including Coats for Kids, The Dictionary Program, the Harvest Time Walk and Salvation Army Bell Ringing.

And though club members are used to doing more with less, club secretary Nancy Nevers said the group could do with a few more hands.

"We desperately need new members," Nevers said. "We were never huge, but when you look at all that we have done with few people, very little press coverage and fanfare, what we have done to help community in so many ways is pretty amazing."

With the need for membership in mind, the club is inviting anyone interested in learning more about the Daybreakers to attend its Sept. 21 meeting at Marcus Family Grille in Shelby Township.

The meeting will also feature special guest, author Hillary Davis, who  will be talking about her book Images of America. The group meets from 7:30-8:30 a.m.

While the group's early meeting time may not be the most appealing aspect of membership, Nevers said the work that members do between meetings is worth the few hours of lost sleep.

There is a one-time $75 fee to join the Daybreakers and quarterly dues of $55. Everyone is welcome to visit with the club, and there is no residency or age requirement to join, so even residents from neighboring communities are invited to join.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the group or learning more can do so by calling Nevers at 586-491-3206 or visiting the website.

Upcoming Events

The club supports more than 30 charitable organizations, schools, nonprofits and community events every year. These are some of the programs and events the club will support through December.

• Harvest Time Walk for Samaritan House.
• Sponsor a lane at the Aktion Club's annual bowling fundraiser.
• Contribution to the Back Pack Program in Utica Community Schools.
• Supply 1,463 public and private school fourth-graders with a dictionary through the Dictionary Project.
• Run the Thesaurus Program for sixth-graders at .  
• Contribute to Coat for Kids project.
• Participate in
• Participate in Holiday Tree Lighting and After Glow party at the Macomb Township Recreation Center.
• Participate in Santa’s Jingle Jammie Time.
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing.