Philanthropic Events

Active 20-30 Club Children’s Shopping Spree (Nationally Recognized Event)

Each and every club member gets to be a Santa Clause in August! Every year this event gets better and better. Last year, because of our supporters and the efforts of club members we were able to take 55 children Back-to-School shopping! This is a Nationally recognized event, which means that club members like us are doing this all across the country. Here is a great example of where our Philanthropic Committee steps up to find the need in our community, and where our members step in to fill it. The children we find come from many backgrounds and organizations. One year we took over 20 children who were new to Fort Wayne from Africa shopping to get ready for school - where only a few spoke any English at all. It was apparent how wonderful it was to have new clothes, a backpack, supplies, and a fresh spirit to start learning! Every one of us learned how to communicate in some way with our youngsters. Every year there is something new when a child looks to you and says what they really need or could use - and the heart is all at once shocked and happy at being able to fulfill such a seemingly simple need. This is truly an event where our members come out feeling that they get back so much more than they have given. Again, thank you to all of our sponsors for helping to make these moments happen.

As the major recipient of our Signature Fundraising event, Puttin' on the Ritz, the shopping spree enables the club and it’s members to take 50-60 children back to school shopping for clothing. Each member is paired with one or two children and given a $100 gift card. The end of the evening consists of snacks and drinks and also the children receiving a custom Active 20-30 Club backpack full of supplies for the upcoming school year.

Special thanks to Kohl's Department Stores and their A-Team for the continued support.

Bowling & Pizza

Children from an organization arrive to club members waiting with bowling shoes and bowling balls for each child to participate. While names are being entered drinks and pizza are being served.

Zoo Day

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is home to several exotic animals, but on one day in May the zoo is also packed with Active 20-30 Club members and an abundance of children ready to growl with the tigers and splash with the penguins. After a tiring but fulfilling trip around the zoo the children are treated to sandwiches and a picnic like setting outside the zoo.

Pumpkin Carving

With 30-40 pumpkins in tow the club encourages all organizations to enjoy the Holiday season and celebrate with their family. This night allows the youngsters to carve a pumpkin and use their imaginations and let the carving hand do the work. After all said and done the children are able to take their pumpkins home to share with their family and set them out for all trick or treaters to see.

Thanksgiving Crafts

The Boys and Girls Club facility plays host to hand shaped turkeys and construction paper feathers as many children are coloring, cutting and wearing their beautiful new creations. The club members arrive for glue and glitter control only to enjoy and participate in making their own creations to wear.

CWWD Christmas

Camp-Watcha-Wanna-Do is all to familiar with the world of cancer. But one day during the Holiday season the Active 20-30 Club treats them to a craft night and a visitor from the North Pole. As members spread out various ornaments, garland, and winter treats to either decorate their own tree, or a tree provided to them from the club. We alson have an array of snacks and juices for the children to enjoy with their families and siblings. Halfway through Santa and his helpers arrange a gift party with gifts for all the children to enjoy! After the photo opportunities and Santa's lap is too tired, we continue on until the crafts are done and the kids all lay snuggled in bed.

Active 20-30 Club Christmas

Even though this is approached as a Social event for members to reflect back on the good that was accomplished, we turned an ever so small gift exchange into a time to adopt a family. After several years of having their own members only gift exchange, the club continues to reach its mission by adopting a family from the Vincent House every year. Members have a chance to donate either money or gifts to a family in need.

Game Nights

As simple as it sounds, game nights are usually done at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Facility in hopes to cheer up those who have not yet received a match. Members of the club are only required to bring themselves as we have the opportunity to play ping pong, video games, make crafts, or just hang around and chat.

Hosted By Others:

Children's Hope House
Kids Helping Kids Basketball Invitational
Members arrive to help out and volunteer with various tasks and stations pertaining to the basketball game.

Fort Wayne Women's Bureau
Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
Participating in the first of it’s kind for the Fort Wayne community, 13 bold 20-30 Club men strapped on red high heels to promote awareness and raise caution to rape, sexual assault and gender violence victims.  Benefitting the Women’s Bureau’s Rape Awareness Program was simply a small victory in an ever so dangerous problem in our society.

Salvation Army
Angel Tree Program
It’s hard for any child to imagine a Christmas without family, gifts, and the warmth and comfort that surrounds this annual Holiday.  However, the club made it a necessity that children deserve better and should be able for once to not worry about others.  The club donated money after reading an article in the newspaper that over 1000 children were not going to have that Holiday they dream of.

Anthony Wayne Services
Fantasy of Lights
Members volunteer their time and their cold little feet to help out with the event.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Bowl-a-thon
Members are encouraged to join or start their own team for a pledged bowling event.

Indiana University
Dance Marathon (IUDM)
Members have donated time and money yearly to helping out the University and it’s mission for Riley Hospital for Children.

United Way of Allen County
Real Men Read Program
Men were encouraged to sign up for a chance to close the 2nd and 3rd grade reading gap currently in our local school system.  Once a month for 3 months volunteers visited their assigned classroom for an hour to share the joy in reading.

Active 20-30 Club of Indianapolis
Half Pint Challenge
Turning one of the largest mini-marathons in the country into a great fundraising opportunity was just one way the Indy 20-30 Club has made their impact.  Members from National Clubs are encouraged to support a runner/walker/crawler from their organization for this 13.1 mile endeavor.  The Fort Wayne club hosted the Indy’s charter club night in 2004 and has never stopped supporting our fellow 20-30ians since.