NELA Children’s Museum is closer to new digs with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Great Ouachita
Donation will support the capital campaign, new exhibit at the museum’s new location
By Shahid Evans
Published: Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:16 PM CDT
Published: Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:16 PM CDT
MONROE, La. (KNOE) — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita donated $25,000 to the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum.Museum officials said the money will support the museum’s capital campaign and help fund an exhibit at its new location.Jana Nelson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita, said the donation renews hope for the project.“I’ve personally watched the Children’s Museum since it began,” Nelson said. “The mission of Kiwanis is to improve the world, one child and one community at a time, and this fits perfectly with that mission.”
Melissa Saye, NELA Children’s Museum Director, said the museum will continue seeking sponsors.“The momentum is here,” Saye said. “We feel like our process of gathering the last of the funding is going to excel well.”Officials said they plan to break ground on the new facility in summer 2026 and open it in fall.
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"Serving the Children of the World"
We partner with many local groups and organizations to help provide care and address needs for the children in our local community. Some of those community partners are:
MedCamps 2026
In a heartwarming display of community spirit and compassion, a group of Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita volunteers recently served dinner at MedCamps of Louisiana's Camp Alabama. This memorable evening for everyone involved showcased the power of collective goodwill and service. Kiwanis has a wonderful partnership with MedCamps, and we look forward to serving again in the future.
A Heartfelt Thank You!
The Kiwanis Club wants to extend our sincerest gratitude to the wonderful community for making our annual Pancake Day fundraiser an absolute smash hit!
Whether you came out for a stack of hotcakes, a sausage link, or just a cup of coffee, your support meant the world to us. This year, we saw an incredible turnout, and the energy and enthusiasm was truly inspiring.
Pancake Day is more than just a delicious breakfast; it's a vital part of how we raise the necessary funds to support the programs and initiatives that directly benefit the children right here in our local area. From scholarships for students to supporting essential community projects, the money raised goes straight back into making our community a better place.
To our volunteers, who flipped, served, cleaned, and smiled through the entire event: thank you for your tireless dedication. And to every single person who bought a ticket, stood in line, and enjoyed a meal: thank you for believing in the work that the Kiwanis Club does. To the businesses who supported us through sponsorships, we couldn't do it without you!
Your generosity fuels our mission. We are so proud to be a part of such a caring and supportive community.
We can't wait to see you next year!
BIKES FOR BOOKS 2025
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita celebrated the end of the Ouachita Parish Public Library's Summer Reading Program in a big way this year, awarding ten brand-new bicycles to ten lucky kids. The club, known for its commitment to the community, gives away one bicycle for each of the ten library branches to encourage young people to read.
The Summer Reading Program is an incredible effort by the library to keep kids engaged with books and community activities throughout the summer. The program not only prevents summer learning loss but also sparks a lifelong love for reading. At the end of the program, library staff members held drawings to select the winners.
The excitement was contagious as the winners were announced. Kids eagerly received their new bikes, their faces lighting up with pure joy. For many, it was an unexpected and thrilling surprise—a perfect reward for their hard work and dedication to reading all summer. This partnership between the Kiwanis Club and the Ouachita Parish Public Library highlights the power of community collaboration and the importance of supporting our youth.
Look for Bikes for Books again next summer in 2026!
Kiwanis Clubs Unite to Serve at Local Food Bank
In a remarkable demonstration of community collaboration, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita and the Kiwanis Club of Ruston recently teamed up to volunteer at the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, focusing on packing essential food supplies for senior citizens in need. This joint effort took place on Tuesday, drawing in enthusiastic members from both clubs.
The project aimed to address food insecurity among the senior population, a pressing issue in the community. Volunteers worked diligently to carefully pack boxes filled with nutritious items like canned goods, juice, and boxed items.
The collaboration not only helped to stock the food bank's shelves but also strengthened the ties between the two organizations. By the end of the day, 175 boxes had been prepared for delivery, ready to bring nourishment and joy to local seniors. This event underscores the importance of teamwork in service, showcasing how collective efforts can lead to significant change in the community.
- Sponsor Med-Camp Meals & Serve meals
- Sponsor Med-Camp Fee for Kids to Attend Camp
- Ouachita Parish Public Library "Bikes For Books"
- Louisiana Baptist Children's Home Easter Egg Hunt
- Christmas Day Meals on Wheels
- Children's Miracle Network Local Talent Show
- KEDM - "Give the Joy of Learning"
Every year we have one fundraiser in November. It is our Pancake Day! We have Pancake Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The money raised from that one day finances our service projects throughout the year. The community comes out in a big way and shows us a lot of love and support every year. Thank you!
Some of the money raised each year from our Pancake Day is also given out in scholarships. We currently have three Key Clubs in our local area. Those clubs are located at Neville, Sterlington, and West Monroe High Schools. Senior students in these clubs are eligible to apply for scholarships from our club. Only a select number of students are chosen for various amounts.