Kiwanis Club of Bradford Launches Inaugural Kiwanis Champions Awards
New annual dinner will recognize local service, celebrate community champions and raise funds for programs benefiting children and families.
The Kiwanis Club of Bradford will launch a new community tradition this fall with the inaugural Kiwanis Champions Awards, a public recognition and fundraising dinner scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
The event will honor individuals, organizations, first responders and young leaders whose service strengthens the Bradford area, with particular emphasis on meaningful work that improves the lives of local children and families. Tickets will be $50 per person and will include dinner, entertainment and the presentation of four community awards.
The Kiwanis Champions Awards will become the club’s new signature fundraising event. Proceeds will support the Kiwanis Club of Bradford’s scholarships, youth programs, Key Club activities, community partnerships and other projects serving children and families throughout the region.
“For 68 years, Kiwanis Kapers held a special place in the history of our club and our community,” said Mark Young, President Elect of the Kiwanis Club of Bradford. “We ultimately recognized that we could no longer support Kapers at the scale and quality that tradition deserved, and that other organizations may be better equipped to produce that kind of show. At the same time, we saw a new opportunity to bring the community together and shine a spotlight on people and organizations whose extraordinary work often goes unrecognized.”
Rather than attempting to recreate Kapers in a smaller form, the Kiwanis Champions Awards are intended to begin a distinct annual tradition centered on service, gratitude and community pride. The club hopes the event will uncover local stories that are rarely told and give residents an opportunity to publicly thank those who step forward when children, families and neighbors need help.
The inaugural award categories are:
• The Brighter Future Award — Presented to an organization whose measurable work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of local children or families.
• Valor Award — Recognizes courage and service, particularly among first responders and public-safety professionals whose actions have protected or supported children, families or the wider community.
• Everyday Hero Award — Honors an unsung community member who consistently helps others and strengthens the community without seeking recognition.
• Rising Star Award — Recognizes a young person who is already demonstrating leadership, compassion, initiative and a commitment to serving others.
Public nominations will open soon and will be available online. The club encourages residents, schools, nonprofits, first-responder agencies, youth organizations, faith communities, service groups, businesses and civic leaders to nominate people or organizations whose work deserves recognition.
Nominees will be evaluated based on their demonstrated commitment to service, measurable community impact, initiative and the lasting value of their contributions. Kiwanis is especially interested in stories of service that have not received significant public recognition.
“This event asks a simple question: Who are Bradford’s champions?” said Mark. “The stories are already here. Our job is to help find them, recognize them and give the community a chance to say, ‘We saw what you did, and it mattered.’”
Additional details about nominations, ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and event programming will be announced by the Kiwanis Club of Bradford in the coming weeks.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
Event: Inaugural Kiwanis Champions Awards
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Location: University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Admission: $50 per person
Purpose: To recognize local service and raise funds for Kiwanis programs benefiting children and families
Nominations: Opening soon
Information: https://bradfordkiwanis.com/kiwanis-champions-awards
ABOUT THE KIWANIS CLUB OF BRADFORD
The Kiwanis Club of Bradford is a local service organization dedicated to improving the community and serving children and families through volunteerism, fundraising, youth programs, scholarships and partnerships with local organizations. Kiwanis members work to make a positive difference one child and one community at a time.
