The DeKalb Kishwaukee Kiwanis Club will be dedicating a showcase highlighting the different cultures that exist within the international student population at NIU.

A representative from NIU President John La Tourette’s office and George Balster, the president of the Kiwanis Club, will be dedicating the showcase at 11 a.m. Friday in the Blackhawk Cafeteria hallway of the Holmes Student Center.

The display will help contribute to the cultural enrichment and education of the university community.

“We would like the faculty, staff and students of NIU to join us in the Blackhawk hallway. They can then proceed to the Blackhawk Cafeteria for lunch on their own, since it will be right there,” said club member Charles Ogundipe.

The NIU International Relations Club is responsible for the maintenance of the International Showcase under the supervision of the International Student and Faculty Office.

The Kiwanis Club members work to build the community by volunteering their time and skills to help the members of the community. The Kiwanis members decide who is best able to complete the projects with the special trade skills they have.

They have three major fundraisers every year to raise money so they are able to sponsor the projects the community needs. The club holds Peanut Day, takes part in Cornfest and sponsors a haunted house every year for Halloween.

These fundraisers make it possible for the club to have programs for the children and the elderly in the community. “The money helps to build the community,” Ogundipe said.

There are many different skilled trade members in the club, and this makes it possible for them to do the volunteer work that is needed for the members of the community.

The Kiwanis also help the elderly with the chores they might have in their homes but are not able to do.

The club is also responsible for building many of the community’s parks and walkways.