As part of its 60th anniversary celebration the Kiwanis Club of Baldwin has reached out to Baldwin High School students, who can become part of the newly chartered Key Club.

Starting the high school club made sense to Kristina Badali, 31, a Kiwanian since 2005, who approached the high school principal.

“I was involved in junior high and high school,” the Baldwin Borough resident said about joining the Builders Club for middle school-age youths and the Key Club at the high school level while growing up in Oakmont. She continued through college and young adulthood. The Kiwanis Kids program is for elementary school students.

“I would not be where I am today in my life if not for the Key Club,” she said.

Badali said she spoke to Walter Graves, Baldwin's principal, and he knew the reputation of the organization, founded in 1925 in California. The Key Club has a social component, but it mainly fosters development of “caring and competent servant leaders, transforming communities worldwide,” according to the Kiwanis website. Kiwanis International was founded in 1915.

In just three months, Caroline Babik, guidance counselor and sponsor, encouraged more than 20 students to commit to the Key Club. They will take on leadership roles at the high school, engage in community service and partner with Kiwanians on some events.

The local Kiwanis Club's seven individual members and Baldwin Borough Public Library, its first corporate one, are involved in activities and organizations such as Baldwin Borough's Community Day, the library's Summer Reading Program, Light Up Night and the annual Christmas project for needy families.

Monte Carlo Night, held every April, is the club's largest fundraiser. Last year, the $4,000 raised helped purchase 200 bicycle helmets that were given to local children and fitted by members of Baldwin EMS.

Chet Maciejewski, current president, joined the club in 1997, when 20 to 25 people organized all of its fundraisers.

In addition to raising contributions for local causes, the Baldwin group assists with global projects. Maciejewski said he is proud that members of Kiwanis International are nearing their $110 million goal for pledges to end maternal neonatal tetanus around the world.

“We're saving babies' lives by immunizing mothers,” Maciejewski said. Contributions now are at $73.5 million, he said.

Kiwanians look to satisfy needs, especially those of children and the community.

“We're a growing group of people, making a difference,” Badali said. “The more hands to serve, the better it would be.”

Dona S. Dreeland is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5803 or ddreeland@tribweb.com.

---

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---