History

Our History

Twenty years ago we were organized as the largest new Kiwanis club organized in New England in over 25 years. Hooksett Kiwanis is an organization of busy community leaders whose primary focus is improving the lives of young children in Hooksett. Since 2000, we have grown to over 100 members, and are now largest community group in Hooksett and the largest Kiwanis Club in NH. We are a family of service organizations from elementary schools through adult. In 2005 we organized a Builders Club at Cawley Middle School, and in 2008 we sponsored a new Key Club at Manchester Central High School. Key Club is the world’s largest high school service organization. In 2012 we sponsored a second Builders Club at Hillside Middle School in Manchester. In 2019 we sponsored a new Key Club at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH.  We sponsored a third Key Club at Trinity High School in Manchester.  These five organizations have nearly 300 members providing volunteer service to school and community. In 2013 we were selected by Volunteer NH as the State’s leading volunteer organization.

In 2007 we explored several major community service initiatives where Kiwanis could assume a leadership role. A significant majority of those community leaders interviewed supported development of a walking and biking trail system within Hooksett. This would enable families to spend more time outdoors together. In 2007 the Hooksett Town Council voted to designate Hooksett Kiwanis as the organization responsible for trails coordination and development in Hooksett. In 2008 we were successful in receiving a $16,000 grant from the Trails Bureau of the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development. This, along with Kiwanis resources, enabled us to construct a new walking trail in Hooksett. In 2010, we graded and resurfaced nearly all of the Head’s Pond RailTrail, a $40,000 project. Additional trails are planned for 2017 and beyond.  In 2019 we received a $5,000 grant from Walmart to revitalize the Heads Pond Trail for our 10th anniversary year.

We are currently planning a second signature project of sponsoring the Hooksett Community Center.

Hooksett Kiwanis also operates the Kiwanis Kid’s Kloset at the Hooksett Town offices. This program provides “gently worn” used children’s clothing to needy families. In October 2009 our Hooksett Kiwanis Foundation assumed responsibility for the Hooksett Community Food Pantry. The Pantry had been operated by a church committee but moved to the Hooksett Town Offices. It provides about $100,000 of donated food each year to under resourced families.

In 2019 Hooksett Kiwanis began sponsoring Boy Scout Troop 292 in Hooksett.  The two organizations have similar mission statements of enriching the lives of children in our community while improving the community itself.

IRS Filings

Hooksett Kiwanis filings are available upon request at [email protected].