Kiwanis Club of Puyallup: Volunteers at the heart of community service

By Rachel Friederich, Serve Washington Communications

PUYALLUP--Whether they're directing traffic at the Grand Floral Parade at the Daffodil Festival, marking streets for vendors at Meeker Days, or serving food at the annual spaghetti feed, Kiwanis Club of Puyallup volunteers help bring Puyallup's most cherished community traditions to life.

These dedicated individuals who give their time and energy to make their community a better place, according to the club's Immediate Past President Mike Boisture. With an average of 50 to 80 volunteers at each event, these individuals play a crucial role in organizing parades, serving meals, supporting youth programs, and ensuring public safety during large gatherings.

"If we didn't have volunteers, we wouldn't get to serve the community the way we do," Boisture said. "The volunteers serve the community, and the community gets to see and become aware of what Kiwanis Club of Puyallup can do."

A legacy of service and giving

For more than a century, the Kiwanis Club of Puyallup has been a cornerstone of community service, bringing people together to uplift children, families, and local organizations. Founded in October 1921 with just 25 members, the club has since grown to 84 dedicated members, according to its website. Each is committed to making a difference in Pierce County. Through a range of events, programs, and donations, the club is dedicated to impacting the community in meaningful ways.

Beyond community parades, education and youth empowerment are at the heart of the Kiwanis Club's mission. The organization provides scholarships to students in need and donates books and educational materials to school libraries and to children in the foster care system. Boisture recalls a particularly impactful donation of bilingual books to an elementary school with a high number of English as a Second Language students.

"They were just totally overwhelmed by the material we brought for them," Boisture said, emphasizing how much these resources meant to the students and educators.

Get involved

Learn about Kiwanis Club of Puyallup events, committees and projects.

The Kiwanis Club of Puyallup welcomes new volunteers. If you're interested in volunteering, send an email to puyallukiwanis@gmail.com or send an inquiry using their online form.