Hank Doyle, a partner at the law firm Doyle & Doyle, and Town Councilman Tim Poirier in July chartered the Knightdale Kiwanis Club.

"Knightdale's grown to the point were we need a service club," said Poirier, noting that Knightdale lacks other service organizations such as a Rotary club. The Kiwanis Club organization was founded in 1915 and boasts more than 240,000 members in 80 nations. It's main goal is to perform service projects and fundraisers for children.

The Knightdale club, which has 26 members, has already begun to work in the community.

In August, the club collected school supplies to distribute at local schools. Poirier said it was a rewarding experience he hopes will inspire others to join.

"When I took a box of supplies over to Hodge Road (Elementary School), they were just so pleased and touched knowing that there were people that care enough to do that," Poirier said. "That's what makes it worth it for me."

Doyle and Poirier say they hope to boost membership to 50 volunteers.

Meanwhile, Kiwanis is working with the Key Club, a volunteer service club at Knightdale High School. Kiwanis is also partnering with the Wake Forest Kiwanis branch to purchase and distribute dictionaries for local third graders.

"This is a popular Kiwanis project that the kids really benefit from and is a great way for the community to pitch in to help our kids," Doyle, the Knightdale club president, said.

Next, the club will organize a food drive which will run from mid-November to the weekend before Christmas.

Doyle says Kiwanis will work with eastern Wake elementary and middle schools to collect food for distribution to needy local families.

"We expect to be able to help about 100 families and deliver the weekend before Christmas," he said. "The club is really excited about this project and would encourage everyone to participate."

The Knightdale Kiwanis Club meets the first and third Thursdays at noon at IHOP. For more information about the club contact Doyle at 261-8018.