Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. We have 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance. Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year.

The Kiwanis Club of Siloam Springs was chartered August 2, 1946, with 27 members, and today celebrates its 75th Anniversary. It was sponsored by the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club with help from the only other Kiwanis Club in Northwest Arkansas, the Rogers Kiwanis Club. The population of Siloam Springs at the time was 2,366. R.D. King was the first Club President.

The Club has met continuously in various locations around town. In the late 1940’s, at Youree Hotel which now houses the City Barber Shop. In the early 1960’s, the Club moved to the Spot Theater Fiesta Room, The Kiwanis Club moved to the 4-C Restaurant in 1967 -1973. The Sager Creek Flood of 1974 devastated the downtown area, including the Kiwanis Club. The flood swept away all the Club’s historical records stored in the Fiesta Room. In 1976 we moved to the Dye Conference Room at John Brown University.  

The Kiwanis Club of Siloam Springs continues our history of service, in the 60s we sponsored Kiwanis Kids Day Football and later Soccer, Key Club at Siloam Springs High School, and many more. We host the annual Bob Knight Memorial Pancake Day and brighten the holidays by selling poinsettias. These projects provide funding for the Siloam Springs High School Scholarship Program. Our club also brought the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to kids in Siloam Springs. We support Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County, Bright Futures, and many other worthy projects. 

In 1998 the Club grew to its largest number of 75 members. Throughout the years the Club has received many awards, including Distinguished Club . Members have been recognized for “Distinguished President”, “Distinguished Secretary”, and “Distinguished Lt. Governor”; and as we celebrate our 75th year we have 62 members. In 1962, past club member and president, Jim Sheets, served as Lt. Governor of our Division and later as District Secretary and Governor of the MO-ARK District. Several members have served as Lt. Governor for our Division: Bob Knight 1973-74, Jim Hartley 1979-80, Paul Joseph 1991-92, Tommy Free 2000-01, Tony Williams 2005-06 / 2012-14, David Bailey 2017-18, and Katie Rennard 2021-22.