The Kiwanis Club of Marshfield was formed Sept. 21, 1955 as a "spinoff" from the Wisconsin Rapids Kiwanis. That group, located in the same county, recruited 40 business and professional persons to form the new organization. Howard B. Woodside was the first president.

The club's first meeting was held downtown in the parish hall of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Since then, the group has met at several locations. And in mid-2004, it returned downtown at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, about a block from its original home.  The club conitnues to meet every Wednesday at the Holiday Inn from 12:00-1:00pm for lunch, commraderie and learning.  Each week, a speaker is invited to talk about a topic that is important to the community, specifically related to youth.
 
The Kiwanis Club of Marshfield has more than 30 active members. Most Kiwanians do more than just attend the weekly meetings. The club:

• sponsors numerous youth sporting and community activities;
• provides scholarships for three deserving high school students annually;
• brightens local nursing home residents by presenting them flowers on their birthdays;
• partners with the local school district to judge oratoracle contests, spelling bees, and geography competitions;
• completes a variety of fundraisers to benefit local organizations such as the Wildwood Zoological Society;
• and partners with local churches to host an Easter Egg Hunt in the spring.

In addition to many ongoing service opportunities, the Kiwanis Club of Marshfield hosts two large events each year, both which benefit local youth.

The Bridge Center Benefit is an annual spring concert with proceeds going to the Bridge Center, an organization that supports familes who ahve a child with autism.

KEEP (Kiwanis Enormous Equipment Playground) is a day-long event held the first weekend in October.  Kids are given a first-hand look at large construction vehicles, learn bricklaying and building techniques, and are thoroughly entertained!  Local organizations who partner with Kiwanis on this event benefit from a portion of the proceeds.