PRESCOTT – The Prescott Kiwanis, in existence for the past 30 years, has recently changed its name to the Prescott Community Club and is in the process of becoming its own nonprofit entity.

Vice President Jeremy Raverty said separating from Kiwanis International allows the club more flexibility in fundraising and promoting student involvement.

“We did some research looking through Kiwanis International and their program,” Raverty said. “One hundred percent of our dues went to pay for administrative overhead. We realized how much flexibility we could have being on our own. I would like to have more money to support the youth in the community and their families, if a family need comes up.”

The change became official Oct. 1; the club is a legal entity with its own insurance. The group has been contemplating the change for about five months, Raverty said, and voted on it at the beginning of September. There are currently 25 members.

The club would like to add student members to its nine-member board, currently anchored by President Penny Peterson, Raverty, Secretary Julie Moe and Treasurer Jon Breimhorst. High school students are currently working on a new logo design; the winner will receive a $25 gift card.

The group plans to keep annual membership dues lower, all of which will stay in the community. The group’s mission will stay the same: supporting youth in the community.

“It’s just a matter of how we go about it,” Raverty said. “I would love to raise more funds to make a larger impact.”

Raverty hopes the club will mirror River Falls’ Sunshine Fund, a student-founded and led non-profit organization dedicated to helping families going through difficult times.

“That could have been a potential option with Kiwanis, but we could not have student involvement on the board,” Raverty said. “That was the biggest way they tied our hands in what we could do.”

The group will continue to partner with the high school in honoring a student of the week and offering a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior.

“Typically what we have done and will continue to do, we support needs that come through the schools,” Raverty said.

The club designated $500 per year for three years to the Fairy Wonderland Park project at St. Croix Bluffs Park. The group holds a fishing contest for youth each June at Mercord Mill Park and will continue to do so. They are hoping to do even more.

The club is currently raising money for its endeavors with a Gerten’s fundraiser. People can purchase poinsettias and holiday greens at gertensfundraising.com, store ID 862 to purchase through the club.

The group meets twice a month at noon the first and third Thursdays for lunch, networking and a featured speaker. To learn more, visit them on Facebook at their new page.