Monday, July 7, 2025
The Kiwanis Club of Valley Stream is preparing to host its latest family-friendly fundraiser, a Bluey-themed breakfast at the Applebee’s at 1126 Green Acres Rd. S.
“The Kiwanis Club raises money to give back to children,” the club’s treasurer-elect Natalie Toler said. “So it’s an organization that’s dedicated to improving the lives of children through service projects and leadership. We raise funds for different causes, including the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.
“Bluey is obviously a fundraiser, but we provide scholarships to a graduate from each of our five key clubs, and so we are raising money at the breakfast with Bluey for these student scholarships,” she continued. “Also, we are raising money to support our community service projects. For example, a couple of weeks ago, we provided dinner for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.”
The Bluey event will feature various themed activities, including coloring stations with character designs prepared for young attendees. Attendees can also take part in raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Though the specific contents of this weekend’s baskets have not been disclosed, past giveaways have included personal care packages and perfumes.
The club coordinates with Applebee’s, which prepares and serves a set breakfast menu for the event. Kiwanis members sell tickets to the community at a designated price. For each ticket sold, the club pays Applebee’s a fixed cost, $4 per meal, and retains the remaining proceeds. This allows the club to raise funds directly through ticket sales while Applebee’s handles all the food preparation and service.
“We started in December by having breakfast with Santa, and it was a huge hit,” Toler said. “And we then scheduled an Easter Bunny breakfast, we had to cancel that, but we decided, let’s see what kids would love, Bluey.”
The remainder helps fund the club’s charitable initiatives, such as scholarships awarded to students from the five Key Clubs the organization supports in Valley Stream and Elmont high schools.
High school students from local Key Clubs, along with middle schoolers from affiliated Builders Clubs, frequently volunteer at events like this, helping with setup, activities and overall event support. They’ll be lending a hand at the upcoming Bluey fundraiser as well.
In the days leading up to the event, the club also wrapped up a collection drive for veterans. They gathered personal care items such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste to assemble 250 care packages for local veterans in partnership with Long Island Cares Food Bank. Donation boxes were placed at Valley Stream and Uniondale libraries, as well as in all five schools, Valley Stream Memorial, Central, North, South and Elmont Memorial, hosting the club’s Service Leadership Programs.
The club’s next general meeting is June 16 at John Anthony’s; 1056 Franklin Ave. Additional information about the club can be found at k19414.site.kiwanis.org.
Tickets for the Bluey breakfast are $15 in advance, available at tinyurl.com/2wp9hp7s and $20 at the door.
