The club supports local literacy in many ways. Alongside being part of the 2025 Dixon Reading Trail, they have also donated 250 backpacks to the Dixon Unified School District and are pivotal in the establishment of the Gretchen Higgins Reading Oasis Room. Photo courtesy of Kiwanis Club of Dixon

DIXON, CA (MPG) - From pancake breakfasts to student scholarships, the Kiwanis Club of Dixon continues to leave a lasting impact on the heart of the community. Since its inception, the club has demonstrated a resilient commitment to serving the children of Dixon, organizing events, funding nonprofits and offering philanthropic gifts that benefit youth and families. According to Kiwanis of Dixon President Michel Liu, their goal is to rebuild Kiwanis Club through community engagement and increased interactions with Dixon Unified School District.

“Our goal is to get the word out to the community about Kiwanis and to have more interactions with the school district. Currently, we have a Key Club at Dixon High School, so our Kiwanis Club has been working to support them. But, with increased numbers, we can build into our middle and elementary schools,” said Liu.

According to Patti Sousa-Liu, a club member and Liu’s wife, Kiwanis offers leadership training at all levels: Kids’ Club for elementary school students, Builders’ Club for middle school students, Key Club for high school students, and Circle K for college students. After completing this process, students automatically become members of the Kiwanis club.

“I believe in leadership training as young as possible,” said Sousa-Liu.

The Kiwanis Club of Dixon has been supporting the children of the community since 2011. President Michel Liu (right) and his wife Patti Sousa-Liu met at a Kiwanis International conference in 2018. They have dedicated their time to improving literacy and enriching Dixon whenever possible. Photo courtesy of Michel Liu

Liu and Sousa-Liu met in 2018 at a Kiwanis International conference in Las Vegas. At the time, Liu was the president of the Cupertino branch, and Sousa-Liu was the president of the Dixon branch. They have been married since 2020. According to the duo, the organization has six members, with commitments from three or four new members joining soon, including Robin Tully of the Tully Consulting Group as club secretary.

To support the community, the organization has contributed to several philanthropic efforts. In spring 2025, the club awarded six scholarships to graduating seniors from Dixon High School and Maine Prairie High School. These awards included large scholarships recognizing both academic achievement and community service. The Maine Prairie and Dixon students join a proud tradition of Kiwanis scholarship recipients, with funding that supports their post-secondary goals.

Kiwanis also recently celebrated its support of local literacy initiatives with a generous donation to the school district, donating 250 backpacks. Previously, Sousa-Liu was instrumental in establishing the Gretchen Higgins Reading Oasis Room, offering a quiet place for students to read in peace.

Kiwanis also the 2025 Dixon Reading Trail  hosted by Joy Carlton of Joy's Book Nook in partnership with the children's literacy company Paperpie. The Reading Trail has 11 locations throughout town with books designed for young kids. At each stop on the trail, kids can read the selected material and get a stamp from the location proprietor.

“We can help improve literacy, provide community service hours, and help people with their education through scholarships,” said Liu.

The Reading Trail has 11 locations throughout town with books designed for young kids. At each stop on the trail, kids can read the selected material and get a stamp from the location proprietor. The Kiwanis club’s stop on the trail is located at the Dixon Chamber of Commerce, 220 N. Jefferson St. Photo courtesy of Kiwanis Club of Dixon

Looking ahead, the Kiwanis Club will host an open house on Sept. 8, inviting the public to learn more about the organization’s goals, community projects, and ways to get involved. The event, held at Joystick Gaming Lounge, 420 Gateway Drive, Suite C, will feature light refreshments, information on upcoming scholarships and service opportunities, and a presentation by keynote speaker and Dixon Unified School District Superintendent Brett Barley.

For those interested in the club’s dedication to the children of Dixon, membership costs $175 a year, and meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. in the Dixon Chamber of Commerce meeting room, 220 N. Jefferson St. The next meeting will be on July 28.

For more information, visit the Kiwanis Club of Dixon, CA Facebook page or call 707-635-3303.